Think of it as the cat equivalent of the dog distemper shot. Many vet records list it as the feline distemper vaccine.
The three diseases
FVR is feline viral rhinotracheitis, caused by herpesvirus and a leading cause of cat colds. C is calicivirus, which causes sneezing, mouth ulcers and respiratory signs. P is panleukopenia, a severe viral illness that attacks the gut and the immune system and is most dangerous for kittens. Cornell's Feline Health Center treats herpesvirus and calicivirus as the main viral causes of upper respiratory infection.
What it does and does not do
Cornell notes that the vaccine reduces disease but does not prevent a cat from shedding calicivirus, and does not cure a cat already infected. Cats that catch herpesvirus carry it for life and may have flare-ups under stress. That is why the vaccine is paired with a clean, calm setting. A boarding cat can be stressed by a change of place, so a protected immune system helps.
The Happy Paws rule
A cat's rabies and FVRCP records must be on file and current through the last day of the stay. Cats must be 16 weeks old and have received all the recommended vaccinations for their age. Upload records to your account, email them or bring a copy to the first check-in. Ask your vet to note the expiry date. The full list is on the vaccination requirements page.
Read next
See FVRCP for cats, the kitten vaccine schedule and cat colds and boarding. The dog side is the DHPP entry.
Kittens and adult cats
Kittens receive a series of FVRCP doses starting at a young age, with a booster about a year after the series, then the schedule your vet sets. An adult cat that has never been vaccinated needs a vet visit before boarding. Cats must be 16 weeks old before the first day, and the vaccines recommended for their age should be done. Mark the expiry date on your calendar so a booster does not lapse during a long trip.
Panleukopenia, the P in the name, is the one to remember for kittens: it is severe and often fatal in unvaccinated young cats, and the virus survives in the environment, which is why clean spaces and vaccine rules both matter.