WHAT’S THE PRICE OF CAT & KITTEN VACCINATIONS IN AUSTRALIA? (COSTS IN 2024)

Regardless of whether your cat is indoor or outdoor, it’s essential to stay on top of their vaccinations. Keeping up with their shots helps prevent a range of avoidable health issues.

Curious about the cost of cat and kitten vaccinations in Australia? We’ve compiled the latest information to give you a clear picture of current prices. Typically, initial vaccinations for kittens range from AU$160 to AU$280, while annual booster shots generally cost between AU$80 and AU$140.

The Importance of Cat & Kitten Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential for maintaining your pet’s health. A qualified vet will assess your cat’s age, lifestyle, and location to determine the necessary vaccinations and establish an appropriate booster shot schedule.

Immunisation is crucial for protecting cats and kittens from infectious diseases commonly spread between them. It also helps prevent certain serious illnesses. While some of these diseases are treatable, preventing them is more beneficial both for animal welfare and financially.

Without effective treatment, a disease can cause significant pain, stress, and potentially lead to premature death. For example, feline herpesvirus can remain in a cat’s nerve cells and reactivate during stressful times, resulting in ongoing issues. While cats’ lifespans vary, those that are well cared for and free from disease can often live 15 years or more.

What Are the Costs for Cat and Kitten Vaccinations?

Several factors can affect the cost of vaccinations for cats and kittens, including the type of immunisation required, your location, and the veterinary clinic you choose. While the total cost for multiple vaccinations can be significant, most recommended immunisation schedules are designed to make the expenses manageable for pet owners.

Kittens require additional vaccinations, usually involving 2 booster shots after the initial vaccinations, which can cost between AU$160 and AU$280 in the first year. Ongoing vaccinations and annual health checks generally cost between AU$80 and AU$140. For a more tailored estimate, it’s best to contact your vet.

Service                                    Budget Cost                Average Cost               Premium Cost

Kitten vaccinations (F3 only)      AU$160                        AU$220                        AU$280

Annual booster shots              AU$80                          AU$110                        AU$140
(F3 only)

Desexing (no blood tests or fluids)                            

Male                                         AU$120                        AU$180                        AU$240

Female                                     AU$280                        AU$350                        AU$420

Microchipping                           AU$50                          AU$65                          AU$80

Vaccinations for Cats and Kittens

Your vet can administer various vaccinations to protect your cat from numerous diseases. The specific immunisations needed will depend on your location, your cat’s breed, and their lifestyle. Not all available vaccines are necessary for every cat.

Cats and kittens require core vaccinations, and you may also consider non-core vaccines based on individual needs. Core vaccinations are essential for all cats to safeguard against the most common diseases. For example, the F3 vaccine is crucial for all cats, protecting them against feline panleukopenia, feline calicivirus, and feline herpesvirus.

Non-core vaccinations may also be important based on your location, your cat’s lifestyle, and the prevalence of certain diseases in your area. For example, if your cat spends time outdoors unsupervised or has frequent contact with other cats, they might need the FeLV vaccine, which protects against feline leukemia virus.

Core Vaccinations       Non-Core Vaccinations

Feline panleukopenia     Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Feline herpesvirus        Feline leukaemia (FeLV)

Feline calicivirus           Chlamydophila felis

Australia is rabies-free. If you plan to travel out of the country with your pet, you may need to make a special request to your vet for a Rabies vaccination. Rabies is a deadly viral disease spread through scratches or bites from an infected animal.

Additional Costs to Anticipate

If you are looking for holistic preventative healthcare services for your feline, your vet will focus on more than just vaccinations. Other equally crucial treatments that can drive up the costs incurred during your clinic visits include but are not limited to the following.

Lab Fees

Depending on your feline’s health, your vet may recommend taking a few lab tests. Blood tests give the expert a general idea of your cat’s biochemistry and haematology profile, how their body is functioning, and any possible health concerns. Other tests like urinalysis, faecal tests, and cytology can be needed if your pet has health concerns. Such fees can range from around AU$50 for in-house cytology, to more than AU$300 for bloodwork and external laboratory tests.

Desexing

Desexing can prevent unwanted pregnancies in female cats. It can also provide health benefits by limiting the risk of mammary tumours and uterine infections. In male cats, desexing eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. It also alleviates behavioural issues, reducing your cat’s tendency to roam which can put them at risk of being hit by cars or getting into fights. Desexed cats are also less likely to urine-mark in the house.

Generally, vets recommend desexing before your cat hits puberty at 4–6 months. It is still possible to schedule the operation even if your cat is older than 6 months of age. The service cost is between AU$120 to $420, depending on the vet clinic, age, sex, and health of your feline friend.

Microchipping

All cats need to be microchipped and, fortunately, this is usually performed prior to purchase or adoption. Microchipping is crucial in quickly identifying your pet if they get lost or wind up in a shelter.

Microchipping involves installing a tiny microchip underneath your pet’s skin. On average, the service will cost around AU$65, depending on the clinic you visit.

Parasite Preventatives

Fleas are a common external parasite that can make your cat stressed and uncomfortable. Some areas of Australia also have deadly paralysis ticks, meaning outdoor cats should always be on tick prevention. Your vet will recommend the best treatment plan depending on your furry friend’s lifestyle. While some treatments are scheduled monthly, other topicals can be used every 3 months.

On the other hand, worms are cats’ most common internal parasites. If it has been a while since you last dewormed your cat, they almost certainly have tapeworms and roundworms living in their gut or intestinal tract. Some of the signs of having worms include chronic diarrhoea and parasites in the faeces, but many cats don’t show any signs at all.

Heartworm can affect cats if they are bitten by an infected mosquito, leading to symptoms of chronic respiratory disease. For cats at risk, a monthly preventative treatment can help protect them from heartworm.

Kittens require deworming every two weeks until they are 12 weeks old, then monthly until they reach 6 months. After that, they should be dewormed every 3 months. Flea and worming treatments typically cost around AU$20 per month, depending on the product.

How Often Should I Vaccinate My Cats & Kittens?

Your kittens should receive their first vaccination jabs within the first 6 to 8 weeks of life. The shots help to boost their immunity and protect them from viral infections that may attack their fragile and immature immune systems.

Kittens need vaccinations until they are 16 weeks old, with vets typically scheduling these shots every 2 to 4 weeks. This helps ensure that kittens receive adequate protection as they lose their maternal antibodies.

Adult cats also need regular booster shots throughout their lives. The frequency of these boosters—whether annually or every 3 years—depends on your cat’s health, lifestyle, location, and the type of vaccine used. If your adult cat’s vaccination history is unknown, your vet will administer two initial shots spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart, after which the cat can follow the standard booster schedule.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccinations for Cats and Kittens?

Pet insurance offers a practical option to lower the overall cost of healthcare services for cats and kittens. Most policies cover a reasonable fraction of the cost of emergency services and surgical procedures. Unfortunately, they often don’t offer any reimbursement for vaccination costs.

Comprehensive pet insurance policies offer the highest level of coverage. Depending on your insurance and policy it may cover routine care add-ons, allowing you to seek reimbursement for a portion of the expense incurred seeking vaccination. Some major veterinary franchises in Australia offer subscription services that cover vaccinations, online veterinary advice, and discounts on food and parasite prevention among other things.

For more accurate information, consult your policy provider. Find out the level of coverage your policy offers and the extras you stand to enjoy if you upgrade to a higher level of coverage.

What to Do for Your Feline After Vaccination Appointments

Right after your cat receives a vaccination, they may have adverse reactions. The most common reactions include soreness on the injection site, reduced appetite, low-grade fever, and lethargy. These mild signs typically don’t last for more than 24 hours.

It is crucial to monitor your furry friend and return to your vet if they show signs of being acutely unwell. Fortunately, most cats and kittens show no vaccination side effects.

Vaccinating your feline friend is straightforward—just schedule an appointment. Most vets include vaccinations as part of their standard wellness services. The benefits of preventative care, including cost savings and protection against serious diseases, usually far exceed the cost of treating preventable or potentially deadly conditions.