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What is the Cost of Cat & Kitten Vaccinations in Australia? (Updated in 2024)

Jordyn Alger

By Jordyn Alger

Vet administering a vaccine on a gray cat

As pet owners, it is our responsibility to provide the best care possible for our pets. Preventative care is a great way to combat medical issues before they can even take root, and one of the most important preventative care procedures is vaccinations.

By staying up-to-date on your cat or kitten’s vaccines, you can keep your furry friend healthy and happy. If you are planning to get your cat or kitten vaccinated in Australia and want to know more about the costs involved, you have come to the right place.

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The Importance of Cat & Kitten Vaccinations

Vaccines are an essential part of your cat’s well-being. Some diseases are preventable as long as your cat has the proper vaccinations, and many are life-threatening, such as rabies.1 Certain diseases can also be transmitted from your cat to you. So, if your cat is not vaccinated and becomes infected with a disease, it is possible that your entire family may be at risk.

Rabies is an example of a disease that can be transferred from your cat to you, making it doubly dangerous. Rabies is also lethal in humans, as the chances of survival dip drastically once clinical rabies has set in. There are less than 20 recorded cases of humans surviving clinical rabies worldwide. 2

Clearly, vaccines are of utmost importance. But does an indoor cat really need vaccinations? The answer is yes. Indoor cats can be exposed to diseases from traveling, interacting with other animals, or from diseases that you carry into the house. Talk to your veterinarian to provide the best vaccine care for your cat. They will be able to determine which vaccines your cat needs and when.

How Much Do Cat & Kitten Vaccinations Cost?

vet giving kitten vaccine
Image Credit: Ilike, Shutterstock

The cost of vaccines can differ depending on various factors. The age of your cat, the health status of your cat, your location, and the particular veterinarian clinic you visit can all determine the price. However, Australia generally has an average range for cat and kitten vaccines.

The vaccines for kittens tend to cost more, so you will likely pay the most for your feline’s vaccinations upfront. Once you have an adult cat, the cost of annual vaccinations will likely be lower and more predictable.

Some people wonder if the costs of feline vaccines are worth it. For perspective, consider that vaccines may cost a few hundred dollars at most, whereas recovery from a preventable infectious illness could cost thousands of dollars. It may even cost your cat’s life. In comparison, vaccines are cheap.

Vaccination Type Estimated Price
Kitten Vaccinations $170 – $200 AUD
Annual Cat Vaccinations $80+ AUD

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What Are the Most Common Cat & Kitten Vaccinations?

According to the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), there are core and non-core vaccines. Both core and non-core vaccines are recommended, but the core vaccines are appropriate for cats in every corner of Australia.

The core vaccines listed by the AVA include:
  • Feline herpes virus/feline viral rhinotracheitis: This infectious disease is a species-specific virus caused by feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1). Cats of any age can be infected. This condition often leads to feline upper respiratory disease as well as conjunctivitis.
  • Feline parvovirus/feline panleukopenia: This condition causes a significant decrease in white blood cells within the body. Since white blood cells are instrumental to your cat’s immunity, this condition can leave your cat vulnerable to other diseases.
  • Feline calicivirus: This condition is similar to the human flu. It causes the common signs of an upper respiratory infection, such as conjunctivitis, sneezing, nasal congestion, and discharge from the eyes or nose.

Non-core vaccinations are still recommended, but they may be more or less advised depending on your location. They also may be recommended by your veterinarian, depending on your cat’s lifestyle.

Non-core vaccines include:
  • Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV): This virus is specific to cats and similar to HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. Cats with FIV experience attacks against their immune system, leaving them vulnerable to other conditions. Sadly, there is no cure.
  • Feline leukemia virus (FeLV): This disease damages a cat’s immune system. It can lead to cancer and other medical conditions, and it is the cause of many deaths in household cats. Sadly, cats diagnosed with FeLV usually live only a few years longer after diagnosis.
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica: This is an extremely contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica. It causes the trachea and bronchi to become inflamed.
  • Chlamydia felis: When a bacterial organism known as Chlamydophila felis infects a cat, an infection of the eyes or upper respiratory tract can occur. If the infection is not treated promptly, it may spread to the lungs.
  • Feline infectious peritonitis: This infection can impact cats of all ages, although it is more common in cats younger than 2 years old. Once this condition is developed, the consequences are almost always lethal.

How Often Should I Get My Cat Revaccinated?

cat getting a vaccine shot
Image Credit: Vovantarakan, Shutterstock

After your kitten has been fully vaccinated, it will still need to receive regular booster shots. Most adult cats should be revaccinated every 1–3 years. Depending on your cat’s lifestyle and risk factors, your veterinarian will be able to recommend a more concrete schedule.

Certain factors that will impact your veterinarian’s decision include your cat’s current health and your cat’s age. Your vet will likely also consider how often you travel and where you live. Due to the many considerations that your vet will be taking into account, re-vaccination intervals may vary between cats in the same household.

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Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat & Kitten Vaccinations?

Vaccines are incredibly important, yet not all pet insurance will cover them. Vaccinations are considered preventative care, and many pet insurance policies do not offer coverage for preventative care. The most basic pet insurance companies will cover treatments for accidents and illnesses only, which vaccines are not categorized under.

However, many pet insurance companies offer wellness policies that cover the cost of vaccinations. This will require you to purchase an add-on policy in addition to your current pet insurance policy if you want to receive coverage for preventative care procedures.

How to Keep Your Cat Healthy Between Regular Vaccinations

a person brushing the hair of a british shorthair cat
Image Credit: marketlan, Shutterstock

While vaccines are important to maintaining your cat’s health and well-being, they are not the only feature of a healthy cat’s life. To provide the best care possible for your cat, there are some basic steps you can take.

  • Help your cat keep a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is a key aspect of having a healthy life. If your cat is malnourished or overweight, it will be more prone to adverse health conditions. By feeding your cat a quality diet, you can help it stay healthy.
  • Make sure your cat has fresh water. Proper hydration is necessary for any animal’s health, and cats are no exception. Cats can be finicky about their water sources, so ensure that your cat is drinking from the water bowls you provide. Fresh, moving water is enticing to cats, so consider purchasing a water fountain.
  • Keep your cat’s litter box clean. Not only will this prevent your cat from going potty around the house, but this will also allow you to monitor your cat’s health status. Oftentimes, sick cats will experience potty problems. If you are diligent about scooping your cat’s litter once a day, you will notice signs of certain health conditions much more quickly.

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Conclusion

Vaccines are important to your cat’s health. While the cost of vaccinations may vary depending on certain factors, you can expect kitten vaccinations to cost around $170–$200 AUD, while cat vaccinations may cost $80 AUD or more.

Your vet will be able to determine the optimal vaccination schedule for your cat while taking into consideration your cat’s lifestyle and risk factors. Vaccinations are a vital part of ensuring that your cat can defend itself from preventable diseases, so do not hesitate to get in touch with your vet to establish a vaccination schedule.


Featured Image Credit to: Jumpstory

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