My 8-week-old kitten is unvaccinated. Can I take it to another house?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered
We've bought an 8 week old kitten on Monday, he hasn't been to the vets yet which we are planning on doing this weekend. My younger brother has taken it to my cousins house, is that okay to do? I heard you are not allowed to take a kitten outside until it's a bit older.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 14th, 2018
Hello. If there are no other cats at the other home, especially unvaccinated ones, then there is no danger. However, keep the kitten indoors & do not let it run around outdoors. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 9th, 2020
Hello. Hopefully your kitten will have some maternal immunity, that is, immunity from his mother. If you keep him indoors with no exposure to other unvaccinated cats, he will be fine until you can start his vaccinations. The important thing is to minimize all potential exposure, so no going outdoors, even into a protected area, until he receives his entire kitten series. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
New Pet
We have brought a kitten but due to the current coronavirus situation we can’t get his first vaccines done. Will this affect him?
Hello. Hopefully your kitten will have some maternal immunity, that is, immunity from his mother. If you keep him indoors with no exposure to other unvaccinated cats, he will be fine until you can start his vaccinations. The important thing is to minimize all potential exposure, so no going outdoors, even into a protected area, until he receives his entire kitten series. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my cat is unvaccinated as for right now. I have to stay at My dad's for a couple of days. His cat is an outdoor cat and hasn't been vaccinated. Can i let my kitten stay in a room there if upkeep the door closed? The cat has been in that room b
Because Jiji hasn't been vaccinated before, she will need at least two rounds of vaccines given four weeks apart in order to have full immunity. Vaccinating her on Monday will not be enough to protect her. Make sure your dad fully cleans the room, and bring your own food and water bowls as well as litter box so that she doesn't share anything with his cat. Keep your kitten in the room, and allow her to have no contact with the other cat. I do recommend getting her vaccinated, so have her seen by the vet on Monday to start the process. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have just found out that the person I got my kitten from lied about him being vaccinated. This worries me and I just want to know if he is at risk at all. He is 3 months old and is an indoor cat
Oh no! That is very frustrating to not be told the truth, but it is a good thing you know now. It is a little difficult to assess risk if it is uncertain if your kitten was raised by its mother. If so, and she was vaccinated, she could have passed some maternal antibodies on to your kitty. The biggest risk for kittens is through exposure to other cats. If your kitty is an indoor kitty with no other contact with other cats this significantly decreases his risk. What is most important now is to start his vaccinations with your vet, to have him tested for the kitty viruses (feline leukemia and FIV), and to have him checked for intestinal parasites (if not already performed/dewormer given). Just because he is older does not mean he can not get his vaccines, he will just need less vaccines than a younger kittens. Typically we vaccinate with FVRCP (for kitty upper respiratory viruses and panleukopenia) and rabies. If your kitty will eventually be going outside then vaccination for feline leu
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, Just wondering if my kitten who is 4 months, would be alright to stay with a family who has two dogs. My kitten has not had all of its vaccinations though, would this be a problem?? It also isn't desexed.
There are veyr few conditions other than intestinal worms which are easily transmitted between dogs and cats but it can be very stressful for both dogs and cats to be mixed depending on the nature of their characters. I recommend a trial visit before you proceed with making plans!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My friends cat birthed 4 kittens that are 5 weeks old. The mother is ~10 months old and underweight/malnourished. One kitten has an eye infection, another has mustard colored poop - the mom is also eating it. All the animals in the house have flees.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! In this case, it would be best to have him removed. You can continue nursing him with kitten formula until he is about 6-7 weeks old at which point you may switch him to a kibble or canned food diet. I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian who can check him and see if he needs any therapy and they can then recommend a preventative plan including vaccines. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
I brought my 6 week old kittens to the vet for desorming/shots. I was told by 2 different vets that they could be placed in their new homes right now (7 wks in 3 days). Eating wet/hard food/litter trained. One lil girl left today... But a "breeder" f
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is the pet peeve of all veterinarians I know. In general, I recommend taking the advice of people who have advanced degrees in animal health and medicine. Breeders have no required certifications or education, and often no actual evidence for their recommendations. In this specific case, I will say that for PUPPIES, I prefer 8 weeks of age. However kittens seem to be able to wean, transition to kibbles, and potty train earlier than dogs. Six weeks with their first vaccine and deworming on board is a perfectly safe and reasonable time to get kittens into their new homes! Best wishes to you, the kittens, and their new families!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My friend has a cat who is 4 months old.his mother was in streets and my friend brought him home when he was 3 weeks old.she took him to vet and they said he is fine and injected him 3 vaccines.so i've been in my friend's place and in contact with th
Great question! If the kitten has fleas or intestinal parasites , you could bring those things home. I would recommend washing your hands and changing your clothes before coming in contact with your cat. Otherwise you should be fine. Kisses to Lucy!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have 2 cats. Both fixed and mostly up to date on vaccines. ( oldest girl is missing her distemper shot still ) A roommate brought her cat into this house. Her cat goes outside, is not spayed and has no vaccinations. My two girls and her cat are
There is some risk, but I can't say there's an immediate risk without knowing more. The biggest risk is if the adult cat has FeLV, FIV, or other diseases that can get passed from mom to kitten. If your cats are vaccinated for FeLV and FIV, then it would be less of a concern. Also, the kittens and/or the mom can be tested for these diseases. I would encourage your roommate to have the cat spayed and at-least vaccinated for rabies. This cat can potentially have two litters of kittens a year and rabies is a deadly infection that people can get from infected cats. If cost is an issue, then you can likely find low-cost vaccine clinics and low-cost spay/neuter programs throughout the year that are offered by your local shelters/rescue organizations. I hope that helps and all is well with your cats.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello a cat about 6 months old was given to us yesterday her mother was a stray but the neighbor cared for and fed the litter until they were all adopted. I have two small children and her appointment isn’t until two weeks from now. What should I do
How lovely of you to take in Haliegh! Because she isn't vaccinated, keep her indoors at all times and keep her isolated from any other cats in your home. Be sure to practice good hygiene after petting her, and washing your hands thoroughly after cleaning her litter box. She may not be used to small children, so only let your children interact with her when you are observing them. Be sure to have them wash their hands as well right after petting them. Enjoy your new cat, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have an 8 week old kitten, she hasn’t had vaccines yet.. my daughter has a 6 month old kitten unvaccinated.. I’m trying to keep her cat from using my kittens litter box.. I’m mainly scared bc her cat keeps getting outside and coming back home.. Am
It's not the litter box sharing that I would be worried about. It is the direct contact between the two cats that would make me nervous. He could transmit to her any number of diseases: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, herpes virus, panleukopenia, feline leukemia, FIV, etc..........The most Ivy would "get" from the other cat by sharing the litter box would be roundworms or hookworms and chances are she already has those. Both cats need to be dewormed and vaccinated as soon as possible. Ivy is old enough now and the other cat is way overdue.
You can check VETCO clinics in your area and get them both in for vaccines and deworming ASAP. VETCO operates out of Petco clinics across the country. Here is a link to their website.
https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/?zip=60901
Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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