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Being a cat owner comes with many responsibilities. We need to ensure that our pets are eating the right food, have access to clean water, and get exercise every day. Another big part of looking after a pet is keeping them healthy, which means going in for annual veterinary visits and vaccinations.
Here, we discuss how much Canadians should budget for vaccinations and why they are important, even for indoor cats.
The Importance of Vaccinations
Vaccines help to prevent your cat from contracting deadly diseases or lessen the severity of the illness if they do. Vaccines also help prevent spreading diseases to other pets. They can prevent your cat from suffering from health problems that could cost more to treat than what vaccines cost.
By getting your cat vaccinated, you are protecting your cat’s life and keeping other pets safe from contracting a contagious disease that your cat might have picked up. Also, there are a few diseases that humans can catch from animals, so you may be protecting yourself and your family as well.
If you have an outdoor cat, they need protection against diseases from other animals, particularly wildlife. Rabies, for example, is a fatal disease that you don’t want to be passed to your beloved pet (or you).
Even if your cat is indoors only, some cat diseases can accidentally be brought home on clothing, shoes, or other animals and transmitted to your cat. Overall, vaccines are essential for all cats.
You can consider investing in a pet insurance plan since most companies cover veterinary exams and vaccinations with a wellness policy. Many insurance companies require an extra fee for these services, but it could end up saving you money in the long run because policies will also cover most illnesses and accidents.

How Much Do Vaccinations Cost?
Four basic vaccines are typically recommended to all cats to be given as a kitten series of two to three shots and then every 1 to 3 years thereafter. The first three are often combined into a single shot collectively known as FVRCP, with rabies being its own separation vaccine.
- Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) affects the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. It will cause signs similar to a cold, with signs like sneezing, fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharge, and coughing.
- Feline panleukopenia, or feline distemper, is a contagious and deadly disease. It kills the growing and dividing cells in the body, including the white blood cells, bone marrow, and intestinal lining.
- Feline calicivirus is an infection affecting the upper respiratory tract with signs similar to FHV-1 and including sores in the mouth.
- Rabies is transmitted through a bite and attacks the central nervous system. It’s almost 100% fatal, so a rabies vaccine is an important one!
The cost of the vaccines depends on your location, the clinic, your cat’s age, and whether you are vaccinating an indoor or outdoor cat.
On average, vaccines cost between $25 and $45 for the FVRCP and another $25 to $45 for rabies. That means you will likely pay $50 to $90 every 1 to 3 years, depending on your cat’s vaccine schedule (this does not include boosters).
Additional Costs to Anticipate
Additional costs can include extra vaccinations beyond the four basic vaccines and whether an annual exam is included in the price or charged at an additional rate.
Your vet may recommend additional vaccines for outdoor cats, particularly feline leukemia. The price for this vaccine may be an additional $25 to $40.
There’s also the exam fee. Some veterinary clinics will build the exam fee into the cost of the vaccines, while others will charge it in addition. Either way, it’s best that your cat has an exam at the time of vaccinations to make sure your cat is healthy. It also gives you the opportunity to speak to your vet about any concerns that you have, and they can catch any potential health issues before they get worse.
The average cost for a wellness exam in Canada is $45 to $65, but this price varies depending on the clinic.

Costs for Vaccinating Kittens
Kittens can be quite expensive because they need multiple vaccines and boosters within the first year of their lives. The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association states that the annual cost of all vaccines, boosters, and physical exams for a kitten in their first year can average $591.
This is just an average, however, and that price could be lower depending on how many vaccines your kitten might have gotten before you brought them home.
Kittens are usually given the core vaccines (FVRCP) by 8 weeks of age, followed by boosters at 12 and 16 weeks of age. The rabies vaccine is typically given at 12 weeks of age or older.
What Are the Side Effects of Vaccinations?
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Tenderness and mild swelling at the vaccination site
- Low-grade fever
These side effects typically don’t last long, but if your cat seems to be sick for over 24 hours or any side effects worsen, contact your vet.
Some cats might develop a small but solid lump at the injection site, which usually shrinks and disappears within 2 weeks. However, if the swelling goes on for longer than 3 weeks or the injection site seems to swell and become more painful, talk to your vet.
There are other serious side effects that are rare but can happen. The following side effects are considered a medical emergency and your cat should be seen immediately:
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives (small, raised, red, itchy bumps on the body)
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Severe coughing
- Fainting or collapse
- Puffy and swollen eyes or face
If your cat has ever suffered from a bad reaction after being vaccinated or you’re just worried about your cat, let your vet know. Consider staying at the clinic for 30 minutes to 1 hour after their vaccinations so that your cat can be monitored.
Keep in mind that these reactions are rare, and the outcome is a cat that is protected against much more severe diseases.

How Often Do Cats Need Vaccinations?
Not all your cat’s vaccinations need to be given every year. The core shots of FVRCP and rabies are typically given every 1 to 3 years; however, your vet may make changes to this depending on your cat’s lifestyle and risk level.
Even if your cat doesn’t need vaccinations, seeing your vet annually for a wellness exam is still a good idea.
Final Thoughts
There’s no question that vaccinations are necessary for cats, particularly if you have what is considered a “high-risk” feline, meaning they are an outdoor cat or live in a multi-cat home.
The vaccines also protect other cats and even us cat owners. We want to protect our pets, and getting vaccinations is one of the best methods for keeping your cat secure and healthy.
- See also: Cost of Owning a Cat in Canada
Featured Image Credit: Tom Wang, Shutterstock