Kitten Vaccination Schedule in Abu Dhabi: What Shots and When (2026)
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mostafa El Masry, DVM
MOCCAE Licensed · Veterinary Surgeon, Pawspact · Last reviewed 26 April 2026
Quick Answer
The complete kitten vaccination schedule
| Age | Visit | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 8–9 weeks | Visit 1 | FVRCP (1st dose) · Physical exam · Deworming |
| 11–12 weeks | Visit 2 | FVRCP booster · Rabies (12 weeks minimum) · FeLV (if recommended) |
| 16–20 weeks | Optional | Spay/neuter consultation |
| 12 months | Booster | FVRCP booster · Rabies booster · FeLV booster (if applicable) |
| Annually | Wellness | Full health exam · Vaccines only when due |
Visit 1: Age 8–9 weeks
This is your kitten's first veterinary visit — and one of the most important.
Vaccination: FVRCP — 1st dose
Physical exam: full nose-to-tail examination including weight, heart and lung auscultation, eye/ear/mouth check, skin and coat assessment, abdominal palpation, and checking for congenital abnormalities.
Deworming: kittens are almost universally exposed to intestinal parasites from their mother.
What we discuss: feeding recommendations, litter tray setup, kitten-proofing your home, what to watch for, the rest of the vaccination schedule and estimated costs.
What if I got my kitten at 8 weeks with no prior shots?
Common in the UAE. We start the series from scratch. There's no penalty for starting at 8 weeks rather than 6.
Visit 2: Age 11–12 weeks (3 weeks after Visit 1)
Vaccination: FVRCP booster + Rabies (given at 12 weeks minimum)
Additional vaccination (if recommended): FeLV
Note: Rabies can only be administered once your kitten reaches 12 weeks of age. If Visit 1 was at 8 weeks, Visit 2 falls at 11 weeks — we may schedule rabies at a separate appointment at 12 weeks if needed, or combine it at Visit 2 if your kitten is already 12 weeks.
The FeLV decision
We recommend FeLV vaccination if your kitten will have outdoor access, you have other cats whose FeLV status hasn't been tested, you foster cats, or your kitten was a rescue with unknown maternal FeLV status.
We recommend FeLV testing before vaccination — a simple in-house SNAP test taking about 10 minutes.
Why the booster matters
The booster dose is what converts your kitten's initial immune priming into reliable, lasting protection. Skipping the booster is the most common and most dangerous vaccination mistake we see in Abu Dhabi. A kitten with only one FVRCP dose may have incomplete or no protection against panleukopenia.
Spay/neuter conversation
At Visit 2, your kitten is approaching the age window for sterilisation (16–20 weeks). Many families book the spay or neuter consultation at this visit.
The 12-month booster
One year after Visit 2, your cat needs a booster — this converts short-term kitten immunity into long-lasting adult protection.
| Vaccine | What happens at 12 months |
|---|---|
| FVRCP | Booster dose. Next FVRCP due in 3 years. |
| Rabies | Booster dose. Ongoing schedule per MOCCAE. |
| FeLV | Booster dose if kitten series was given. Continue annually if risk factors remain. |
After this, your cat transitions to the adult schedule: annual wellness exams, FVRCP every 3 years, rabies as required, FeLV annually only if risk factors continue.
Between visits: the socialisation window
The period between Visit 1 and Visit 2 overlaps with your kitten's critical socialisation window (8–14 weeks).
Do: handle your kitten daily, introduce them to different people, play varied sounds and textures, allow interaction with fully vaccinated healthy household cats.
Don't: take your kitten to public areas where unvaccinated animals may have been, allow contact with cats of unknown vaccination status, visit pet shops or shelters until the series is complete.
Rescue kittens and adopted kittens
If you've adopted through Refqan.ae or a rescue group and don't know the vaccination history, we assume unvaccinated and start a fresh series. We also test for FeLV and FIV, deworm, treat for external parasites, and do a full health assessment.
Ideally, your new kitten sees a vet within 48 hours of coming home.
Book your kitten's first visit
Every kitten visit at Pawspact includes a thorough exam, honest advice, and a clear plan for what comes next — because that's the pact.
Book your kitten's first visit →
Call: 02 674 7484
WhatsApp: 02 622 7260
Frequently Asked Questions
Kittens can receive their first FVRCP from 8 weeks old. We typically schedule Visit 1 at 8–9 weeks, with the booster (Visit 2) three weeks later.
If you're a week or two late, the series is still valid — reschedule as soon as possible. If the gap is longer than 6 weeks between doses, your vet may recommend restarting.
Mild sneezing within 24–48 hours is a normal immune response. If the reaction was more severe, tell your vet — they may adjust the protocol. Skipping the next dose leaves your kitten unprotected.
See our full pricing guide at the Cat Vaccination Cost in Abu Dhabi page. We also offer bundled kitten wellness plans through our wellness programme.
16–20 weeks — usually 4–8 weeks after Visit 2. See our guide on when to spay or neuter your kitten.
Yes. Annual wellness exams are essential at every life stage — even when vaccines aren't due that year.
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