Cats may or may not have nine lives. But when it comes to getting kitty vaccinated, why take chances? Your kitten should see a veterinarian to start a series of vaccinations by the time she is eight weeks of age. All kittens should receive vaccines for rabies, upper respiratory infections, and feline panleukopenia or distemper. A vaccination against feline leukemia virus is also a good idea if your cat will be spending time outside.
Whether or not your kitten needs shots for other diseases is up to your veterinarian. He or she will consider the risk of infection to your cat – where she lives and the other cats she’s exposed to – as well as the safety and effectiveness of each vaccine.