What is the cost of cat vaccinations?
Getting your cat or kitten vaccinated is an important first step to managing their health and protecting them against serious health problems down the line. Find out how much cat vaccinations cost and why they are so important.
Key takeaways
Fully vaccinating your cat will normally cost less than £100
Pet insurance is often cheaper if your cat has had certain vaccinations
Vaccinations prevent serious illnesses and stop the spread of diseases
Pet insurance does not cover vaccinations but can help with other vet bills
How much do cat vaccinations cost?
The average cost of fully vaccinating a cat or kitten in Great Britain in 2023 was £97.69 according to ManyPets. Costs can vary depending on a number of factors, including where you're located and the clinic you've chosen.
Your kitten will need two sets of vaccinations - their first set at nine weeks old and a second booster set at three months old. Essential vaccines include feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus, feline parvovirus and feline leukaemia virus.
After your cat has been vaccinated you will need to keep on top of your vaccination schedule booster vaccines. If you have missed any boosters, you will need to restart the vaccination process. Vaccinating your cat is not usually covered by your pet insurance.
What vaccinations does my cat need?
Cat Flu
Both indoor and outdoor cats should be vaccinated against cat flu.
Feline herpes virus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) both cause cat flu. There are several different strains of FCV and it can make your cat seriously ill or even be deadly, especially if you have a young kitten or elderly cat.
Vaccinating your cat against FHV and FCV is the best way to protect them.
Feline parvovirus
Feline parvovirus (also called feline parvo) can cause feline infectious enteritis which is a severe and often fatal gut infection.
The virus is easily carried into the home on shoes and clothing, putting both indoor and outdoor cats at risk. Getting your cat vaccinated is the best way to prevent them from getting feline parvovirus.
Feline Leukaemia Virus
Cats that go outdoors, even just in the garden, should also be vaccinated for feline leukaemia virus. FeLV is a lifelong infection and most cats will die within three years of diagnosis, usually from a subsequent disease such as leukaemia, lymphoma or progressive anaemia.
This virus is spread through regular contact with other cats, so your cat needs to be vaccinated for this virus before they spend any time outdoors.
Rabies
The UK is mostly rabies-free, so this isn’t a vaccine that your cat will need regularly. However, if you are travelling outside of the UK with your cat, this vaccine is a good idea depending on your destination.
What affects the cost of cat vaccinations?
The cost of cat vaccinations is affected by where you live and which vet you go to. Vet bills aren’t regulated across the UK, so certain areas will have higher vet costs compared to others. Costs can also vary between local clinics.
The cost of regular vaccinations for your kitten or cat will also be affected by how many vaccines you decide to give them. Some are essential, while others may not be necessary if you intend to keep your cat indoors and don’t plan on taking the cat out of the country.
Why should I vaccinate my cat?
You should vaccinate your cat or kitten to protect them from serious illnesses that can either be fatal or have lifelong consequences. Vaccines can also help stop the spread of infectious diseases to other cats and also protect cats and kittens that haven’t been vaccinated.
Before your kitten gets their first set of vaccinations, it is important that you keep them inside and minimise their contact with other cats.
Many UK catteries won’t accept cats that are not vaccinated, and certain countries will not allow your cat entry unless they are vaccinated.
Another benefit of getting your cat vaccinated is cheaper pet insurance premiums. This is because insurance providers view vaccinated and microchipped cats as being less of a risk.
Pet owners typically pay £9.63[1] a month to insure a cat, and £7.74[2] a month to insure a kitten.
When should I get my kitten vaccinated?
Kittens should have their first set of vaccinations at nine-weeks-old, followed by a second set of vaccinations at three-months-old.
Your vet will advise you about how long vaccinations last for. However, it’s standard practice for cats to get vaccine boosters every 12 months. If you miss getting the annual booster for your cat, you may need to restart their vaccinations, which can cost more.
Viruses can affect older cats more seriously than young, healthy cats, so it’s important to keep up with booster jabs as your pet ages
Does pet insurance cover cat vaccinations?
No, pet insurance does not cover vaccinations for cats and kittens. This is because pet insurance does not normally cover the cost of routine health checks such as vaccines, neutering, flea treatments, or dental cleaning. However, by having your cat or kitten vaccinated, you can often reduce the cost of your pet’s insurance policy.
While vaccines won’t be covered, cat insurance can still help by covering the cost of medical treatment your cat might need due to illness or accident.
Are you looking for pet insurance?
While pet insurance can’t cover the cost of vaccinations, it can help with the cost of other important vet bills – in particular, emergency treatments for injuries and illnesses.
If you’re thinking about buying pet insurance for your cat or kitten, why not come to us to fetch pet insurance quotes from top UK pet insurance providers. It’s quick, easy, and can save you money on a great value pet insurance policy.
Looking for something else?
MoneySuperMarket offers tailored pet insurance policies for a range of furry friends.
Ready to save on your pet insurance? Or need to know more before you get a quote? We’re here to help.
