Do cats who live exclusively inside need vacinations?

Question

My cats are never allowed outside. Do they still need yearly vaccinations?

Thanks, everyone, for the advice! I can't choose the best one, so I'm putting it up for a vote.

Answer 1

Generally speaking, there are three "core" vaccines given to cats annually: Rabies, FvRCCP (known as the Feline Distemper booster), and Feline Leukemia. Rabies, just like in dogs, is a required vaccine mandated by nearly all local communities. It doesn't really matter if your cat has ever stepped outdoors or not; your local city or state will require that vaccination on an annual or semi-annual basis depending on the governing laws. The Feline Distemper booster consists of between 3 or 4 highly infectious diseases that your cat could get even if it is only inside. Many of those diseases could be carried inside by you on your shoes or clothes. Therefore, we recommend that particular booster on a yearly basis as well. Finally, Feline Leukemia is strictly a cat to cat disease that can't be transmitted any other way and cannot be brought into the house by you. Therefore, if your cat never goes outside, and is not around any other cats that go outside, then most vets don't recommend vaccinating your cat against Leukemia. However, if any of the above criteria does change (for example you adopt a cat that does go outside), you would then need to start vaccinating against Feline Leukemia.

Answer 2

You must have them vaccinated against Rabies. If they were to ever bite anyone (I know, my cats never bite, either, but you just never know), the cats would be taken away and euthanized!!!

As for the other vaccines, feline leukemia and upper respiratory viruses can be carried on human clothes from an infected cat to a healthy one. A friend or family member may carry it into your home unknowingly!

I have 3 cats that are exclusively inside cats. They are all vaccinated.

Answer 3

Yes. Some are legally required and if you don't have them, the animal could be taken by animal control. Also, you can't protect them 100%. If your baby is on one side of a window screen and a flea is on the other...the flea is now on baby. Same with a cat carrying a disease on the other side of the window. Also, fleas can cause many nasty things and it only takes one. They need vaccinations and flea control. A mosquito can cause heartworm in a cat as fast as a dog, and the right flea meds will protect from that also.

Answer 4

A cat that is exclusively indoors, is not protected from communicable diseases. You would be surprised what germs you can carry into your house on your shoes. Also, if you have pet another animal, you can carry those germs in on your hands. You kitty should have vaccinations and be kept indoors at all times. Cats who go outside are exposed to traffic, other aggressive animals and nasty humans who do indrecibly cruel things to animals.

Answer 5

From what i've got learn, the common lifespan of an outdoor cat levels between one million.5 and 3 years; the common lifespan of an indoor cat stages between 13-15 years, in accordance with wellbeing and well being facility remedy. My oldest strictly indoor cat (Siamese) grew to become into bordering on 18; a stray tomcat that died a pair years in the past, grew to become into on the least 20 (probably 21 or 22, based on the vet's estimation at his first commute there). at present, I even have 2 cats (approximately 8 and a pair of years) and a dogs so as to be 8 in Oct. - i assume the cats to survive me. i've got continuously fed them dry cat foodstuff - Purina Cat Chow (no longer a delegated endorsement) and that they have got continuously had an entire bowl. They nibble whilst they're hungry, determining it extremely is often there, and don't in the event that they're now no longer. changing a cat's weight-loss plan from what they could be maximum ordinarily use to ingesting can intent gastrointestinal problems. it incredibly is why canned cat foodstuff is a nicely-spaced, rare handle for mine. regardless of the shown fact that, for people who've been feeding them canned cat foodstuff and desire to commerce that, i could advise doing it progressively and seek for suggestion a vet for the 15 365 days olds (inclusive of a dental examination). wish this ideas your question and delivers some suggestion for the long-term well being of your cats! - Tug

Answer 6

I buy my cats vaccines from Rural King and give them myself. The vaccines are only $2.99 a piece and my vet says it covers everything they need. The only thing I can't vaccinate for myself is rabies, and my vet doesn't think its necessary since my cats never go outside. The dogs however, I have the vet do their shots since they go outside regularly and come into contact with strangers. The horses, again, I buy my vaccines from Rural King and administer them myself.

Answer 7

Definitely!
You wouldn't want to worry about rabies or feline leukemia is you didn't have too. FYI, the rabies shots generally work 2-7 years longer than the vet recomends getting them. You do need to complete the series though!

Answer 8

Rabies vaccines are REQUIRED by law. For indoor and outdoor cats and dogs.
Bats get in houses all the time.

Answer 9

I had a cat once that developed feline asthma after giving him the rabies shot. I have 4 cats and they don't have thier shots and are very healthy. My cats are indoor cats, if yours is an outdoor cat then thats different

Answer 10

I just asked my vet this question last week. He said he should see them every two years if they are exclusively indoors and not around other cats.