Cat vaccination
Is it time for the annual shot, or have new little paws moved in? We offer convenient and completely stress-free cat vaccination directly in your home environment, at our clinics or at the clinic. Protect your cat against diseases such as feline distemper and feline influenza, without having to force it into a transport cage.
Convenient drop-in in store
Safe injection at home
Cat vaccination
Related terms
Cat vaccination price, how often to vaccinate a cat, cat flu vaccination interval, chip and vaccinate cat packages, cat flu vaccine effect
What does it mean to vaccinate a cat?
Vaccinating your cat is crucial to giving it a strong immune system against common and life-threatening viruses. An effective cat vaccination program not only protects your own cat, but also contributes to herd immunity among all cats in the community.
Feline distemper and feline influenza (Basic protection)
The standard vaccine in Sweden protects against feline distemper (feline distemper vaccine / Panleukopenia / FPV), which is an extremely contagious and often fatal stomach disease. It also contains the feline distemper vaccine, which protects against the two most common and serious feline distemper viruses: herpesvirus and calicivirus.
Additional vaccines and foreign travel
For outdoor cats in risk areas, breeding cats, or cats that will be traveling abroad, we also offer feline leukemia vaccine (FeLV), chlamydia vaccine, and the mandatory rabies vaccine for international travel.
Care Guide: How to choose the right place for your cat's vaccination
Since we offer our services through home visits, at our veterinary clinics at selected Arken Zoo stores, and at our animal clinic in Östermalm, you can get your cat vaccinated where it is safest and most convenient for you.
Home visit
For most cats, the trip to the vet is worse than the shot. Being forced into a cage, driving, and sitting in a waiting room full of barking dogs creates enormous stress. By vaccinating your cat at home, they can stay in their favorite environment, and sometimes even avoid leaving the couch. Home visits are also by far the safest choice to avoid infection for an entire, unprotected litter of kittens. (A delivery fee applies for home visits).
Veterinary clinic
For those of you who have a cat that is used to traveling, and are looking for a quick drop-in vaccination, our clinics connected to selected Arken Zoo stores (in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Uppsala) are a fantastic alternative. Here you can quickly swing by for the annual shot while you shop for cat litter. It is also possible to book your visit to our clinics.
Animal clinic
Our clinic in Östermalm is an excellent choice if you want to combine the annual vaccination with a major senior check-up (including blood tests to check the kidneys and thyroid), claw trimming or a thorough dental check-up for your adult cat.
What do we do when vaccinating a cat?
Keeping track of vaccination schedules and paperwork can be a hassle. Whether we meet in your home, at our clinic or at one of our clinics (Kungens Kurva, Odenplan, Orminge, Askim, Boländerna), we make sure your cat gets exactly the right protection.
Identify
Before we even draw up the vaccine into the syringe, we do a general health check. We listen to the cat's heart and feel its stomach. If an animal has an ongoing infection or fever, the immune system is already busy. If we vaccinate a sick cat, there is a high risk that the vaccine will not have any effect at all. The health check is an absolute medical requirement!
Treat
The vet quickly administers the vaccine under the skin of the neck. This takes a few seconds and the cat usually barely notices it. Many pet owners also choose to book a convenient package to both chip and vaccinate the cat at the same time, which makes the cat legal under the new ID Act.
Prevent
We will fill in and stamp the cat's vaccination card or EU passport, and you will be told exactly when it is time for the next booster dose so that the protection (and any insurance conditions) do not expire.
This is how a vaccination is done step by step
1. Booking
You book us for a home visit, clinic visit or visit a clinic for a chip and vaccination combination or a simple annual refill.
2. Health check
We always start by listening to the cat's heart and feeling its stomach to ensure that it is completely healthy.
3. The syringe
The vet or nurse quickly administers the vaccine under the skin of the neck. This takes a few seconds.
4. Documentation
We fill out, sign and stamp the cat's vaccination card or EU passport.
5. Advice
You will know exactly when it is time for the next top-up dose based on your cat's age and lifestyle.
Do you have more questions?
Contact our customer service and we will help you further.
When should the cat be vaccinated at an animal hospital instead?
Vaccinating at home or at a clinic is incredibly convenient for almost all cats, although there are a few rare exceptions where a fully equipped veterinary hospital is a safer option.
When a clinic or animal hospital is necessary:
- Acute allergy: If your cat has previously suffered a severe allergic shock (anaphylaxis) immediately after a vaccination, future vaccines should always be given in an animal hospital with immediate access to emergency oxygen and intensive care.
- Disease investigation: If during the home visit you mention that your cat has suddenly lost weight, is urinating excessively and has stopped eating, we cannot vaccinate it. In that case, the visit will be converted into a medical examination instead, which sometimes then requires a referral for an X-ray or ultrasound.
Basic vaccination – when should a cat be vaccinated?
Many new cat owners wonder ”when should you vaccinate your cat?” To build up full, lifelong protection, you must follow a strict basic vaccination schedule for your kitten (at 8/12 weeks and then 1 year).
This is what a basic vaccination for a cat looks like:
- First injection (8–9 weeks): The very first injection is given by the breeder between 8-9 weeks.
- Second injection (12 weeks): Given three to four weeks later to activate protection when the mother's milk antibodies begin to wear off. Since the law now states that kittens cannot leave their mother before 14 weeks of age, this dose should also be given by the breeder.
- One-year syringe: At exactly one year of age (or one year after the 12-week vaccination), the last dose of the basic vaccination is given. After that, the cat is considered fully vaccinated and moves on to the adult schedule.
Intervals – how often should a cat be vaccinated?
One of the most common search terms is ”how often should you vaccinate your cat?” Once the basic vaccination is complete, the intervals for cat vaccination are completely determined by the cat’s lifestyle and the local infection pressure.
Indoor cats vs. Outdoor cats:
- Feline plague: The vaccine against feline distemper is very strong and lasts for three years. Both indoor and outdoor cats should have this, as you can easily infect your cat with feline distemper virus under your own outer shoes! A vaccination of a cat that is 2 years old usually does not need to contain feline distemper if the basic vaccine was given at one year of age.
- Cat flu: The vaccine against feline influenza (herpes and calicivirus) protects for about one year. For cats that go outside freely, stay in boarding houses, or meet other cats frequently, an annual vaccination against influenza is required. The correct vaccination interval for a cat is therefore often feline influenza every year, and feline distemper every three years.
When is extra protection and foreign vaccination required?
If your cat lives a very quiet life as a single indoor cat without contact with other animals, the standard vaccination (feline distemper and feline influenza) is sufficient. However, if you are going to travel with your cat, participate in cat shows (where the infection rate is enormous) or if the cat stays in catteries with a high turnover of cats, you must book an appointment with us for extended vaccinations, such as rabies or chlamydia. Keep in mind that the rabies vaccine for cats has a strict statutory 21-day waiting period before the EU passport becomes valid for a trip abroad! However, if the cat starts sneezing, coughing or has purulent, runny eyes, you should not book a vaccination – then you must book an appointment for an examination.
Side effects and risks after vaccination
As with all medical treatments (including for us humans), there is a small risk of side effects, but when it comes to modern vaccines, they are generally very mild and transient. Common side effects after vaccination of cats are that the cat becomes a little extra tired and sleeps more during the first day, and may feel a slight soreness in the skin of the neck where the injection was given. Sometimes they may also feel a little warm (mild fever).
When you should react
If your cat suddenly starts vomiting violently, has difficulty breathing, swells around the nose and eyes, or becomes completely limp and unresponsive, this is a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). This usually occurs within the first few hours, and you should call and go to a veterinary hospital immediately.
Is there a law against vaccinating cats?
Many people ask if there is a Swedish law on vaccinating cats. The answer is no; there is no state law that forces you to vaccinate your indoor cat (unlike the new and strict law on ID marking and registration with the Swedish Board of Agriculture). However, it is an absolute requirement from all reputable cat boarding houses, cat shows (SVERAK) and most insurance companies that the cat is correctly vaccinated in order for the insurance to be valid in the event of illness. Regardless of the law, it is your duty as a responsible pet owner to protect your friend from suffering.
Safety and herd immunity in society
Every time we vaccinate a cat, we build a stronger wall against the spread of infection. By vaccinating your animal, you not only protect your own friend, but also take responsibility for all cats.
- Stops cat plague: Widespread vaccination has made the extremely deadly feline distemper rare in Sweden.
- Mild cat flu: Vaccinated cats that become infected with the common cold usually only experience very mild and harmless symptoms.
- A healthy life: A quick, annual shot ensures that your cat has the best possible chance of a long life.
Feline distemper and feline influenza
Because so many Swedish pet owners are extremely careful about their cat's vaccination, we fortunately rarely see huge epidemics of feline distemper, although tragic, local outbreaks among unvaccinated cats (such as stable cats and summer cats) unfortunately occur annually. Feline flu is more common, but a vaccinated cat usually only experiences mild and completely harmless symptoms if exposed to the infection.
Quality of life
Knowing that your cat has active, up-to-date protection provides immense peace of mind. A quick jab of the neck once a year (or every three) ensures that your cat has the absolute best possible chance of living a long, healthy and active life.
Self-check – keep track of your vaccination card
Avoid unnecessary gaps in coverage (and bans from shows) by keeping a close eye on your cat's paperwork at home. Do this self-check on the vaccination card or EU passport:
- Find your passport or card: Look at the very last stamp a veterinarian has made.
- Read the sticker: Does it say "Tricat" or "RCP"? It is the strong basic vaccine against both plague and the common cold. Does it say "Ducat" or "RC"? It is the annual vaccine against the common cold only.
- Validity date: Most often, the vet has written a "Valid until" or "Valid until" date next to their signature, or when it is time for the next dose. Put this date as an alarm in your calendar or phone so you don't miss the refill!
Prevention – when can the kitten go outside?
A very common and vital question we get when vaccinating small kittens is: "Can the cat meet other cats after vaccination?".
- Indoors with healthy animals: The kitten can safely socialize with the older cats in the home, provided they are fully healthy and vaccinated.
- Staying out: Never let an unvaccinated kitten out! Full protection is only achieved a couple of weeks after the 12-week vaccination.
- Castration: The cat should be neutered at 4–6 months of age before being released, to avoid unwanted litters and the spread of infection.
Cost, insurance and compensation
Vaccinating your cat is the safest investment you can make for a long and disease-free cat life. We help you keep track of vaccination intervals, but the cost of prophylactic (preventive) care is always paid for privately.
Annual Vaccination & Basic Vaccination (Cat Plague/Cat Flu)
The regular vaccination schedule that builds the kitten's basic protection and is then maintained for life for indoor and outdoor cats.
Not covered by insurance
No, vaccinations are considered preventive (prophylactic) health care and are never covered by your veterinary insurance.
To think about
Do you have multiple cats, or a whole, unprotected litter of kittens at home? Then you will of course only pay a joint delivery fee when we come to your home, which makes the home visit very affordable!
Price from:
550/kr
Annual vaccination cat (Tricat/Ducat)
550-650 SEK
ID marking (Chip)
650 SEK
Rabies vaccine
650-750 SEK
Delivery fee (for prophylactic home visits)
450 SEK (evening 550 SEK)
30+ years
experience
200k+
Visit
How often should a cat be vaccinated?
After the primary vaccination course is complete (at 1 year of age), a cat should receive a distemper vaccine every year, and a booster dose of distemper vaccine every three years. The booster dose is especially important for outdoor cats but can be beneficial for indoor cats as well.
Do you have the opportunity to vaccinate cats in Gothenburg, Halmstad or Malmö?
We are currently located in Stockholm, Uppsala and the Gothenburg region. On our booking page you will find our clinics and there you can also easily book a home visit.
What about nearby towns like Avesta and Morgongåva?
For these locations, we recommend that you contact a local veterinary clinic, as our mobile veterinarians operate from Stockholm, Uppsala and Gothenburg. Please call our customer service if you have any further questions.
What is the price for both microchipping and vaccinating a cat during a home visit?
If we perform both an ID tag with a chip and a vaccination during the same home visit, you pay SEK 650 for the chip, SEK 550-650 for the vaccine and a single, fixed delivery fee of SEK 450. You save money and your cat avoids two completely different, stressful veterinary visits.
Is there a law against vaccinating cats in Sweden?
No, there is currently no state statutory obligation to vaccinate (unlike the law on ID marking). However, it is basically impossible to take out good life insurance, exhibit your cat, or book a place at a cat boarding facility if you do not have a valid vaccination certificate on hand.
What is the FIV vaccine for cats (Feline AIDS)?
Unfortunately, there is no approved and effective vaccine against FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) available in Sweden. The disease is mainly transmitted through deep bite wounds and saliva during territorial fights between unneutered outdoor cats, therefore early neutering is the very best and only preventive protection!
Does cat vaccination have dangerous side effects?
Dangerous side effects, such as an allergic anaphylactic shock, are extremely rare. However, mild side effects, such as the cat sleeping a little more than usual that night, or feeling a slight, transient soreness in the skin of the neck where the injection was given, are completely normal and disappear quickly.
Can an indoor cat meet other cats after vaccination?
A fully vaccinated indoor cat can of course meet other cats! However, keep in mind that an unvaccinated kitten should not meet outdoor cats whose infection status is unknown until the kitten has received its second, full vaccination at at least 12 weeks of age.
What is feline leukemia vaccine (FeLV)?
Feline leukemia (FeLV) is a serious viral disease that suppresses the immune system and causes incurable tumors. The vaccine is usually only recommended for cats that live in close contact with catteries, catteries, or have confirmed contact with cats in high-risk areas (especially common abroad).
Why is it called the cat flu vaccine?
It is a collective term. The vaccine does not protect against a common, human ”cold”, but specifically against feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus, which are very serious infections that cause painful sores in the cat’s mouth, chronic eye infections and severe respiratory problems.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Here you can read some of the most common questions and answers that we often receive from our customers.
Personal animal care in safe environments – Home visits, clinic & reception
We cooperate with all insurance companies
VetAtHome offers both clinic visits, home visits and visits to our veterinary practices – what is best depends on your animal's needs and what feels most convenient for you. We work with all insurance companies, making it easy to get help regardless of your insurance coverage.
