Cats may or may not have nine lives. When it comes to getting your kitten vaccinated, why take chances? You should take your new kitten to the vet to start a series of vaccinations by the time she is eight weeks of age. All kittens should receive vaccines for rabies, upper respiratory infection and feline distemper. A vaccine against the feline leukemia virus is also a good idea if your cat will be spending time outside. Whether or not your kitten needs shots for other diseases is up to your veterinarian. He or she will consider the risk of infection to your cat, where she lives and the other cats she’s exposed to as well as the effectiveness of each vaccine.

Remember, your pets count!