My cat is over a year old ,she is never allowed outside. Is there any need for me to get her shots at the vet?

Question

she's never been outside nor do I want her outside.

Answer 1

It used to be that vaccinations were recommended for all cats; indoor and outdoor, but the accepted recomendations now say that if your cat is exclusively indoors, you can elect to not vaccinate every year. It is recommended now to vaccinate for Distemper every other year because you can bring that home on your body, but Feline Leukemia (FeLv) can be eliminated because it is such an unstable virus, that you can't bring that one in. If there is a chance that your cat will get out, or stray cats would come in contact with him through your screens, then vaccinate for FeLv. If you have children or children visit you, you should vaccinate for Rabies, the reason being that if he bit one of them, you could have to prove he was vaccinated.
If you're trying to save money, you can buy a Distemper combination without Feline Leukemia at most farm stores like Tractor Supply Co, Quality Farm & Fleet ect for about $4.00.
Hope this helps, I'm a Licensed Veterinary Technician

Answer 2

Well, there are a couple reasons why you might want to vaccinate an indoor cat under some circumstances.

One is if you travel and board your cat, since kennels may require vaccinations. Another is that rabies vaccinations may be required by law where you live.

I can think of one good reason NOT to vaccinate an indoor cat: Vaccine Associated Sarcoma! In some cats the inflammation produced by the vaccination process (it doesn't seem to matter what kind of vaccine) triggers cancer, usually fibrosarcoma, a very aggressive and deadly cancer that likes to keep coming back after it's been excised. VAS is one of the most critical issues in feline medicine today, and the best way to avoid it is to limit vaccinations to those a cat really needs, based on it's likelihood of exposure to disease. An indoor cat may have no likelihood of exposure at all...

I went through VAS with my late, great Rusty and I hope I never have to go through it with another cat again!

Answer 3

Yes, she needs to have vaccines to keep her healthy, even if she doesn't go outdoors.

Cats get heart worms (just like dogs) from mosquitoes and what home doesn't get a stray mosquito from time to time? Can you be sure which mosquito doesn't carry the heart worm larva?

Are you sure you didn't walk across a germ or bacteria infested area of your lawn or sidewalk that won't make your cat ill?

Have you studied parasitic infestations, how the eggs are transported or how long they live in the soil? Can you guarantee you walked across "safe grass" and the invisible larva isn't stuck in the treads of your sneakers?

Are you positive you haven't touched a surface that the owner of a FIV+ cat owner didn't previously touch?

How about FLV? Are you positive your cat won't somehow ever come into contact with that virus?

Although your cat stays indoors, chances are she may escape one day (even if for just a few minutes). Without being vaccinated, she'll become sick and will probably die because she didn't have the chance to build up an immunity that vaccines and preventative meds would have protected her from.

Even with humans, chances of getting German measels, mumps or polio are almost non-existent, but babies and children still get vaccinated against them "just in case"...

Answer 4

I have always had cats- I have 3 cats now- their ages are 12, 8, and 10 months. I have them fixed and declawed when they are about 6 months old. At that time they get shots. They never get any more shots after that. They never go out, and because they have never been out, they stay away from the door. They are all extremely healthy cats. I have never had any troubles with my cats.

Answer 5

yes,even though you won't let your cat outside voluntarily,she could sneak out on her own(cat's are good at this)the rabies vaccination is required by law in most states,(believe me you don't want your cat to get rabies,nor do you want to get it yourself,unless you like 10 shots in the stomach?)also your cat can get feline leukemia just by being by a cat that has it(this disease is fatal,and it's a painful death)also distemper is another nasty disease it can get,i know what i'm talking about i've been a cat owner for 30 years.let me ask you this, if you had kids, and you never let them outside,would you not get them vaccinated for diseases?if you truly love your cat, you will get it vaccinated.do you want your cat to be healthy and happy,or do you want it to die from these diseases?these are just some of the diseases cat's can get. GET YOUR CAT VACCINATED A.S.A.P.!

Answer 6

Hi Elizabeth...all cats need to be vaccinated even if they are indoor only cats. The immune system plays a pivotal role in maintaining your cat's health. One of the most important functions of this complex system of specialized cells and molecules is to protect cats from disease and infection caused by viruses, bacteria, and a host of other microbes and parasites.

Vaccines help prepare your cat's immune system to fend off invasion by a particular disease-causing organism. Vaccines contain antigens, which to the immune system "look" like the organism but don't, ideally, cause disease. When a vaccine is administered, the immune system mounts a protective response. Then if your cat is subsequently exposed to the disease-causing organism, its immune system is prepared to either prevent infection or reduce the severity of disease.

Therefore, it's impertinent that a feline has some of the foundation vaccinations as you could accidentally expose your cat to hidden viruses. If you have to kennel your cat at a vet clinic your cat will be more susceptible to catching diseases without the foundation vaccines. Other potential risks for instance if you touch or hold another cat who is invisibly infected and bring it home to your cat. If your cat sits nearby windows/doors screens and visiting cats come by...heartworm from mosquitos in the home, other parasites that you bring in on your feet, upper respiratory infections, accidental escape outside, etc.

Here are the few key vaccinations a cat requires:

Feline Panleukopenia Virus Vaccine (also called "Feline Distemper"): Panleukopenia is caused by a feline parvovirus (FPV), and is particularly vicious, capable of being spread rapidly, with a high mortality rate, especially in younger cats. After a one-year booster for kittens, this vaccination can be given every three years.

Feline Calicivirus: This virus, along with the Feline Herpes virus, causes the majority of upper respiratory infections URIs in cats, and can be spread by "carrier" cats for years. This vaccine may be given at three year intervals after the initial series.

Rhinotracheitis AKA Feline Herpes Virus: Rhinotracheitis has serious potential, especially in kittens. It has been estimated that 70% of kittens with severe Rhinotracheitis infections will die, and it can also cause permanent neurological damage to kittens.

Answer 7

i have a similar situation. my cat is about a year and a half and I've taken her to the vet as a kitten and to get spayed. She has never gone outside but I continue to take her. However on the last trip to the vet she was impossible and the vet perscribed a medicine like xanax. I couldn't get her to take it and now I'm looking for a new vet that can handle my kitty....

Answer 8

Absolutely. I have a cat whom I never let out, but once in a blue moon he takes off out the door and roams for a few minutes. Anything could happen in those few minutes. And any illness can be carried in on your hands. You should absolutely have the cat's shots up to date.

Answer 9

properly, if he's no longer neutered, which would be step a million. Unneutered cats will spray, urinate, and defecate outdoors of the litterbox extraordinarily much a hundred% of the time. If he's neutered, and merely does not get the assumption, attempt putting him contained in the litterbox and dig your palms for the period of the sparkling muddle. Dig his paws in it too. that often facilitates supply them the assumption. If he has an twist of fate, soak the urine up in a paer towel and placed it contained in the muddle container, and placed any feces contained in the muddle container. Any injuries could desire to be wiped sparkling with a particular air purifier that includes enzymes, which incorporate Nature's Miracle for Cats (Petco). there is likewise a particular muddle referred to as Cat entice muddle (PetSmart), I even have had good journey with this for my Foster Cats. do no longer use litters with a sturdy perfumy scent, which will maximum in all probability dissuade him. Get unscented muddle. There are additionally powder and liquid attractents you ought to use. Oh, and one final element; if he's declawed that could reason him to no longer use the muddle container, muddle could be uncomfortable on their ft in the event that they are declawed. you are able to could attempt pelleted muddle if so. good success!

Answer 10

Just because you don't allow her outside, doesn't mean she won't GET outside. Keep her up to date on all of her shots to insure she stays healthy. Besides, other critters can still get in without your permission too.