Do i really need to get my cats shots every year if he is strictly an indoor cat?

Question

Hi, i have a cat that is around 3 years old.. i only got his shots when he was younger, i think only his first set.. he is also neutered. Do i really need to continue with shots if he is strictly an indoor cat?

Answer 1

Cats require two shots. The first is distemper and the second is Rabies. Distemper is a virus which can be airborne, and rabies can be transmitted by a bat in the house. It is also law that an animal must be up to date on Rabies. If your cat was bitten by a rabid bat, it would have to euthanized if it were not vaccinated for Rabies.

Distemper is frequently fatal, and rabies is always fatal.

I have a friend who found a dead racoon in his yard when he was raking. He used his hands to untangle the rake from the racoon. Then he went in the house, petted the dog and called animal control. Animal control tested the racoon and found it had rabies. My friend had to be treated for Rabies, his wife, his son also had to be treated because the dog was in contact with them.The dog had to be euthanized because it had not been vaccinated agaisnt rabies.

Beside law, and the possibility of fatality, it's as important for your pet to be seen yearly at the vet as it is for you to be seen at your MD. Many illness in pets can be succesfully treated if detected early. As they can't tell you when they don't feel well, until they are very very ill, it's important to get them in for an annual exam.

The advice from people who say "No, not necessary" is advice without fact.

Having a pet means having and accepting full responsibility for their health. Any decision should be an informed one, not an opinionated one.

Answer 2

In some states the rabies vaccinations are required. I live in South Florida and I have to get my cats at the very least their rabies shots every year since it's basically a law. As far as the others you never know when the will try to get out since they can be curious (like the old saying lol) so maybe a couple of day of discomfort for kitty might be worth so you know that the can't get anything from another cat. I also read somewhere that there is a cat disease that kitty could catch if an infected cat rubbed on you and your kitty rubbed you on the same spot that they will get it. Better safe than sorry :-)

Answer 3

Well, technically, if you want to do everything you can to ensure a healthy cat, then yes, get the shots. But I've known plenty of cats both indoor and outdoor who lived long and healthy lives without getting any kind of regular shots, so it's not really necessary for them to live; just for them to prevent the possibility of serious illness. And there are lots of studies around to say to reduce the frequency that you get shots for your cat - do some Google research on it.

If you had an outdoor cat, I'd say absolutely get dystemper, rabies and leukemia, since those are soooo communicable, more or less untreatable (unless you're rich) and deadly. But with an indoor cat - not as important, even though there's always the risk of the cat getting out and catching something from another cat who's a disease carrier.

So, it's just a matter of you weighing the risks vs. benefits. Cat will live fine without as long as it's never exposed to anything bad. But, can you guarantee cat will never be exposed to anything bad, and if not, are you doing a disservice? It's really just up to you.

Do you live where there is access to wild animals like squirrels, bats, raccoons or opossums? If so, then I'd say to get just the rabies shot - just on the off chance your cat gets out. Rabies is required in most states anyway, so that's no biggie.

But - if your cat gets sick, definitely take it to the vet, and if a shot is required to treat the illness or to prevent complications from an illness, then just do it. Otherwise, everything's probably fine, as-is.

Oh yeah - and even with an indoor cat, it can get fleas which can lead to a variety of illnesses, so just keeping your cat up to date with a flea treatment like Advantage, Frontline or Revolution (NOT the cheap grocery store stuff - that has about a 50% death rate for cats - and make sure you're using the stuff for cats not dogs - sometimes it's okay but with others it's not, so just don't go there), you can keep your home and cat flea-free and prevent lots of illnesses.

Answer 4

there seems to be a growing awareness that yearly vaccinations for indoor cats is uneccessary - but this is a hotly debated issue. I have read some articles about it. It seems that some cats develop cancer at the vaccination site with certain kinds of vaccines. Also, some vaccines are actually not that effective. My own vet has advised me that my indoor cats need only Rabies and Panleukopenia (distemper). There is a rabies vaccine for cats that is good for 3 years. I think the way to go is to assess your own cat's chances of getting infected with something. If your cat has zero chance of nose-to-nose contact with other animals, and you are not a multi=cat or multi=pet household (with more than 3 pets), then yearly vaccines I think is unnecessary. I mean, there are RISKS youtake when you have your cat vaccinated. But there are also risks when you don't. So, you must way these risks carefully.

Answer 5

You don't have to do them yearly (though that is what the vet recommends...since that's where they make a lot of money) but you do have to make sure they are done every 3-5 years. This is done because the vaccinations aren't meant to last forever and if you move and the cat isn't under the umbrella of a vaccination (also if the cat goes to the vet, etc.) then it can get sick. But the every year thing is strictly a money-making thing for the vet.

Answer 6

The following are vaccines are absolutely necessary for indoor cats that have no contact with indoor/outdoor cats, low risk of escape or contact with cats other than those it was raised with.


Rabies - It's the law
Panleukopenia - Distemper
Rhinotracheitis - 'Cat Flu'
Calicivirus - Upper respiratory problems

Leukemia, Chlamysiosis & FIP vaccines are not as critical, only if kitty is an indoor cat that has no contact with other cats or is not at risk of escaping.

Answer 7

It is a good idea! They need health care just like we do! My cat is three years old fixed and stays indoors as well, but two months ago I took her in for a check up and she had a chest thing and needed a shot. They can still get sick inside to we bring in things for outside all the time!

She also got pink eye once to! Who knew cats could get pink eye!

Answer 8

Many of the shots that cat's are given are unnecessary. You should get your cat a rabies shot in case he every gets out. The rest of the shots, in my opinion, are optional for an indoor cat. Feline Leukemia, which is one they try to give, is pointless if he is an only cat or not exposed to cats that are already infected.

My cat's only got the rabies shot that was necessary to get them spayed/neutered.

Answer 9

I would, if only to protect him in case he somehow got out. My cat can't tolerate shots--given once & almost died. She hasn't had any for 11 years, BUT, I'm afraid of exposing her to other animals even at the pet hospital, so when she needs attention, I have a house call vet. It's always possible she might NEED to go to the hospital, but I really haven't any choice. Yes, I'd get the shots if I were you. Also--what it there was a fire or something? Your kitty needs to be protected. (Let's hope Seattle answers!)

Answer 10

Even though he is strictly an indoor cat, it is probably best to keep him up to date on his vaccinations. You never know when he may accidentally get outside and be around other cats, and that is where he may be susceptible to feline leukemia (from other cats) or rabies (from raccoons or other outdoor animals). Vaccinations can be costly, but if you love your cat, which I'm sure you do, he is worth it.