Cat vaccines: what is required and when
In Bulgaria cats are not subject to mandatory vaccination. Unlike dogs, the law requires neither rabies nor any other vaccine for a cat living in the country. Rabies becomes compulsory in one case only: travel outside Bulgaria.
- A kitten gets its first vaccine at 8 – 9 weeks and the second 3 – 4 weeks later, at 12 – 13 weeks. The booster is at one year.
- Not required does not mean not needed. The core RCP vaccine — against panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus — is recommended for every cat, including one that never goes outdoors.
- The feline leukaemia vaccine (FeLV) makes sense for cats with outdoor access or in multi-cat homes. A test comes first — an already infected cat is not vaccinated.
- For travel, rabies is given from 12 weeks at the earliest and at least 21 days must pass between the vaccine and departure. It follows the microchip and passport.
When the law does step in
The absence of an obligation holds while the cat stays home. The moment it leaves the country, the European pet movement rules apply — the same ones as for a dog.
- at homeNo legal vaccination requirement. Which vaccines to give is a decision between the owner and the vet.
- before rabiesA microchip with a unique 15-digit code is implanted and a passport issued. A rabies vaccine counts only after marking.
- from 12 weeksThe earliest age for a rabies vaccine. A dose given earlier is not recognised as valid for travel.
- 21 daysThe gap required between a first rabies vaccine and leaving the country. The clock runs from the date of vaccination.
- every yearWhere rabies is renewed on time, protection is continuous and no wait applies. Let it lapse and the 21 days start again.
Vaccinations are recorded in the passport and in VetIS, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency system. Even for a cat that never travels, a kept record helps when changing vets, boarding, or rehoming.
Three different things people mix up
Information online often declares rabies "required by law" for cats too. In Bulgaria that is not true unless the cat travels.
Nothing — except for travel
Inside the country no vaccine is required for a cat. The only exception is rabies when leaving Bulgaria.
- Rabies — only for travel abroad
Recommended for every cat
Given as a single combination vaccine known as RCP. Recommended even for an indoor cat — these viruses come in on shoes and clothing.
- Panleukopenia
- Herpesvirus (rhinotracheitis)
- Calicivirus
Based on the individual risk
These depend on whether the cat goes out, how many cats share the home, and the risk of contact with unknown animals.
- Feline leukaemia (FeLV) — outdoor access or multi-cat homes
- Rabies — worth considering for a free-roaming cat even without travel
- Chlamydiosis — breeders and shelters with a known problem
Vaccination schedule by age
The usual kitten series. Exact dates depend on when the first dose was given and which vaccines the practice uses — the schedule is set by the vet.
| Age | What is given | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| 8 – 9 weeks | First vaccine: RCP | Earlier is pointless: maternal antibodies still block the vaccine. That is why the first dose is not the last. |
| 12 – 13 weeks | Second vaccine: RCP (+ rabies if needed) | The second dose builds real immunity, 3 – 4 weeks after the first. If travel is coming, rabies is added here. |
| before going outdoors | FeLV test and vaccine | For cats with outdoor access. The test comes before the vaccine — an infected cat is monitored, not vaccinated. |
| at 1 year | RCP revaccination (+ rabies) | The first annual booster consolidates the immunity built during kittenhood. |
| every year | RCP per product; rabies for travel | Some RCP vaccines carry three-year protection for part of their components. The interval follows the product and the lifestyle. |
Common questions about cat vaccines
Are cat vaccines mandatory in Bulgaria?
No. For a cat living in the country there is no legally required vaccine — that is the difference from dogs, where rabies is mandatory every year. The only exception is travel abroad, where the rabies vaccine becomes a condition of leaving. Regardless of the law, the core RCP vaccine is recommended for every cat.
When does a kitten get its first vaccine, and when the second?
The first RCP vaccine is given at 8 – 9 weeks. A second dose follows at 12 – 13 weeks, that is 3 – 4 weeks later. Vaccinating earlier is pointless, because antibodies from the mother still neutralise the vaccine.
Should I vaccinate an indoor cat?
Yes, the core RCP vaccine is recommended for an indoor cat as well. Panleukopenia is extremely durable in the environment and is carried into the home on shoes and clothing, with no contact between animals. The vaccines that become optional for an indoor cat are leukaemia and rabies — those depend on going outside.
What is the RCP vaccine and what does it protect against?
RCP is a combination vaccine against three viruses: panleukopenia (feline distemper), herpesvirus (infectious rhinotracheitis) and calicivirus. The first two run severely, especially in kittens, and the third is a leading cause of persistent oral inflammation. It is given in a single injection.
When is the feline leukaemia vaccine given?
After an FeLV test, usually before the kitten starts going outdoors. The order matters: the vaccine does not help an already infected cat, and the test tells them apart. It is recommended for cats with free outdoor access and for multi-cat households.
How long before travelling abroad must a cat be vaccinated?
At least 21 days between the rabies vaccine and the journey, for a first vaccination. The vaccine is given from 12 weeks at the earliest, and only after a microchip has been implanted and a passport issued. Where rabies is renewed every year, protection is continuous and no wait is required.
What should I expect after vaccinating a cat?
For a day or two the cat may be quieter, sleep more, and have mild swelling at the injection site. This passes on its own. Reasons to call the vet are vomiting, facial swelling, laboured breathing, or refusing food for more than a day.
Dates are not remembered — they are recorded
RCP at 8 weeks, a second dose three weeks later, a test and leukaemia before the first trips outdoors, a booster after a year. In PetsClub you record each vaccine with its date and batch number, and the next due date arrives as a reminder on its own.
- A reminder before each vaccine expires, not on the day it is due
- A separate record per cat, with the full vaccination history
- Health record export as PDF — for the vet, a cattery or travel
