General information to discuss with your vet, not a diagnosis. If your pet is unwell, contact a vet.
Cats in Pakistan face cat flu and feline panleukopenia (cat parvo), both common and dangerous for kittens, and rabies, which they can catch from bites. A short kitten course and regular boosters keep them protected. This is a general guide based on international guidance; your vet will tailor it to your cat.
Vaccines every cat needs
- Panleukopenia (feline parvovirus): vomiting, diarrhoea and a crash in white blood cells. Often fatal in kittens.
- Cat flu (herpesvirus and calicivirus): sneezing, runny eyes, mouth ulcers and not eating. Spreads fast between cats.
- Rabies: recommended for cats in Pakistan because rabies is common here, especially for cats that go outside.
The first three are usually one combined shot, often called Tricat or FVRCP.
A typical kitten schedule
| Age | Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 9 weeks | 1st Tricat (FVRCP) | First vet check and deworming too |
| 11 to 12 weeks | 2nd Tricat | 3 to 4 weeks after the first |
| 12 to 16 weeks | Rabies | Timing depends on the vaccine; follow your vet |
| 15 to 16 weeks | 3rd Tricat | The last kitten dose should be at 16 weeks or older |
| 6 to 12 months | Booster Tricat and rabies | Completes the kitten course |
Adult cats with no history usually get two Tricat doses 3 to 4 weeks apart, plus rabies.
Adult boosters
- Rabies: every year in most Pakistani clinics, or as your vaccine's licence allows.
- Tricat: every 1 to 3 years. Cats that go outside, meet other cats or go to boarding are usually boosted every year.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes. Panleukopenia virus survives for a long time and can come in on shoes and clothes, cat flu can spread through windows and on hands, and indoor cats do sometimes escape, go to the groomer or go to boarding. Your vet may space boosters further apart for a strictly indoor cat.
Vaccines that depend on lifestyle
- Feline leukaemia (FeLV): for kittens and for cats that go outside or live with cats of unknown status. Your vet may suggest a blood test first.
- Chlamydia: sometimes used in homes with many cats or breeding catteries.
After a vaccine
It is normal for a cat to be a little quiet or have a small lump at the injection site for a day or two. Call your vet if your cat has trouble breathing, swelling of the face, repeated vomiting, or a lump that is still there after 3 weeks or keeps growing.
Questions
When should a kitten get its first vaccine?
Usually at 8 to 9 weeks old, with the combined Tricat (FVRCP) shot repeated every 3 to 4 weeks until the kitten is at least 16 weeks old.
Do cats in Pakistan need the rabies vaccine?
It is recommended, because rabies is common in Pakistan. Most vets give it at 12 to 16 weeks old and then every year.
Does an indoor cat need vaccines?
Yes. Panleukopenia and cat flu can be carried in on shoes, clothes and hands, and indoor cats sometimes escape or go to groomers and boarding. Your vet may space boosters further apart.
How often does an adult cat need the Tricat booster?
Every 1 to 3 years. Cats that go outside, meet other cats or use boarding are usually boosted every year.
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