Cats need several vaccines to protect them from serious diseases. The core vaccines, as recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) for kittens and adult cats, include the following:

• Feline panleukopenia virus
• Feline viral rhinotracheitis, also known as herpes virus type 1 (FHV-1)
• Feline caliciviruses
• Rabies virus

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is considered a core vaccine in kittens only. Non-core (discretionary, or optional vaccines), as recommended by the AAFP for cats with a risk of exposure to specific diseases, include the following:

• Chlamydophila felis (causes feline chlamydiosis)
• Bordetella bronchiseptica (causes feline bordetellosis)
• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in adult cats

Vaccines that are not recommended by the AAFP, but that may be appropriate under certain conditions, include the following:

• Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)

The Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel regularly evaluates and researches cat vaccination developments to make science-based recommendations. They divide cat vaccines into two categories: core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Rabies is the only cat vaccination required by law in most states, and it is a public safety issue to keep your cat up to date on their rabies vaccine. The decision to vaccinate a cat with a specific non-core vaccine involves a careful assessment of the cat’s lifestyle, age, health status, exposure to other cats, vaccine history, and, in some cases, medications that the cat is being treated with. Consult your veterinarian to determine which vaccines are necessary for your cat based on their individual needs.