Kittens in India typically start the FVRCP vaccine at 6 to 8 weeks old, with two more doses about a month apart, then a rabies shot around 14 to 16 weeks. A booster follows at one year, then annual boosters. The full first-year series usually costs 1,500 to 4,000 rupees at Indian clinics.
Getting the kitten vaccination schedule right is one of the most important things you can do in your cat's first year. In India, viruses like feline panleukopenia and calicivirus still circulate widely among street cat colonies and shelters, which means even an indoor-only kitten in Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore can be exposed through contact with another cat, shared bedding, or a visit to the vet.
This guide covers the complete vaccination schedule recommended for Indian kittens in 2026, what each vaccine protects against, the correct timing, approximate rupee costs, and what is normal to see in the day or two after each shot.
Kittens get antibodies through their mother's milk (maternal immunity), which can block a vaccine from working if it is given too early. Starting the series before 6 weeks of age lowers effectiveness. The ideal window for the first dose is 6 to 8 weeks.
Core vaccines, every kitten in India needs these
Core vaccines protect against diseases that spread easily between cats and can be severe in kittens. For India, two are considered non-negotiable:
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Type | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FVRCP / F3 | Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia | Core | ₹500-900 per dose |
| Rabies | Rabies (fatal and legally notifiable in India) | Core | ₹200-400 per dose |
| Panleukopenia | Feline parvovirus (often fatal in unvaccinated kittens) | Core | Usually part of FVRCP |
Each letter in FVRCP stands for something your kitten is being protected against. Rhinotracheitis is a feline herpesvirus that causes sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes. Calicivirus causes similar signs plus, sometimes, mouth ulcers. Panleukopenia is the feline version of a parvovirus-like infection, attacking the gut and immune system, and is the single most dangerous disease on this list for an unvaccinated kitten. Rabies needs no introduction in India: it is fatal once symptoms appear, spreads to humans, and is legally notifiable, which is why most municipal corporations and housing societies ask for a rabies certificate.
Calicivirus and rhinotracheitis are the same family of viruses behind the sneezing and watery eyes covered in our guide on cat sneezing and eye discharge, so a well-timed FVRCP series is also one of the best ways to lower how often a kitten's eyes flare up later. If your kitten's eyes do look red or swollen between visits, our cat conjunctivitis guide covers the severity signs to watch for.
Month-by-month kitten vaccination schedule
| Age | Vaccines Due | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | FVRCP (1st dose) | First visit. Deworming is usually recommended at the same time. |
| 10-12 weeks | FVRCP (2nd dose) | Critical: this dose builds on the 1st. Do not skip or delay more than 2 weeks. |
| 14-16 weeks | FVRCP (3rd dose) + Rabies (1st dose) | Rabies is a legal requirement in most Indian states. Keep the certificate. |
| 1 year | FVRCP booster + Rabies booster | Annual boosters maintain immunity. Set a calendar reminder. |
| Every year after | Rabies booster + FVRCP booster (or every 3 years per vet advice) | Many Indian vets space FVRCP boosters out once a cat is an adult. |
Important for Indian pet owners: if you adopted a desi or indie kitten from a street colony or shelter, ask whether any vaccines were already given, many rescue kittens arrive with an incomplete or undocumented series. Start, or restart, the schedule from the correct age rather than assuming the series was finished.
Optional vaccines, recommended based on lifestyle
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Who Needs It | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FeLV (Feline Leukaemia) | Feline Leukaemia Virus, spreads through close contact and shared bowls | Kittens with outdoor access, or in multi-cat households | ₹600-1,200 |
| Chlamydia felis | Chlamydial conjunctivitis, common in multi-cat homes and shelters | Kittens in large multi-cat households or breeding colonies | ₹400-800 |
An indoor-only kitten in a single-cat home can often skip FeLV after a conversation with the vet, since the virus needs close, repeated contact to spread. A kitten that will roam a balcony, society compound, or meet other cats regularly is a better candidate for it.
Kitten vs puppy vaccination, what is different
If you also have a dog at home, our puppy vaccination schedule follows a similar rhythm, three early doses a few weeks apart, then annual boosters, but the diseases and vaccine names are different. Dogs are vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus with the DHPPi shot, while kittens are vaccinated against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia with FVRCP. Leptospirosis is commonly recommended for dogs in India because of monsoon flooding, while the cat equivalent that owners ask about more often is FeLV, which has nothing to do with water exposure and everything to do with contact between cats. Rabies timing and the legal requirement are the same for both species.
Check your kitten's eyes and skin between vet visits
PawCheck lets you scan your cat's eyes, skin, and ears at home and get a severity result in under 10 seconds, free on Android.
Download Free, Android ↗What to watch for after vaccination
Most kittens have a mild, short-lived reaction after a shot. These are normal and expected, and most settle on their own within a day or two without any action from you:
- Mild sleepiness for 24-48 hours, a normal immune response as the body builds protection
- Slight soreness or a small lump at the injection site, settles in 1-3 days, and the lump should shrink rather than grow
- Skipping one meal, offer water and a light meal a few hours later rather than forcing food
- Low-grade warmth or mild fever, keep an eye on it but it usually settles on its own by the next day
A kitten that seems a little quiet on the evening of a vaccination visit is common and not a cause for concern on its own. What is worth a call to the clinic is a kitten that is still dull, off food, or sore a full two days later, since that falls outside the usual window.
Facial swelling, difficulty breathing, repeated vomiting, collapse, or severe hives within 30 minutes of a shot. These can signal a severe allergic reaction, rare but serious. Ask to stay near the clinic for 20-30 minutes after each vaccination so staff can step in quickly if needed.
Total vaccination cost in India, what to budget
For the complete first-year series (FVRCP × 3 + Rabies × 1), expect to pay roughly:
- Government veterinary hospital: ₹700-1,500 for the full series
- Small private clinic (Tier 2 city): ₹1,500-2,800 for the full series
- Private pet clinic (metro city): ₹2,500-4,000 for the full series
- Veterinary chains (Cessna, Wiggles, Heads Up): ₹3,000-5,000 including consultation
The annual booster year (year 2 onwards) is usually cheaper, typically ₹500-1,500 depending on which vaccines are due and the clinic. Many Indian clinics also bundle a basic health check into the visit price, so ask what the quoted amount actually covers before you book the appointment, especially at a new clinic you have not used before.