Do cats really need rabies shots?

Question

I have no other cats and my cat is an indoor cat. He had a rabies shot when I first got him.

Answer 1

Yes!

Even if your cat never sets foot outside it doesn't totally rule out the possibility of catching an infected mouse somewhere along the line.

Answer 2

If he never leaves the house and never comes in contact with no other animals, then he doesn't need a rabies shot unless your local laws require it.

My two indoor cats do get rabies shots because they do go out in the back yard occasionally, where there are lots of squirrels and other random mammals.

Current rabies vaccines are good for several years, so it's not a big deal. Why not be safe?

Edit: can I change my answer? Other responders make the excellent point that even if Felix can't get out, Mickey and Minnie might get in. So, yes, get the shot.

Answer 3

Not really, if you live in an area where there is no rabies (in the western world there is not much rabies lying around). My cat has never had rabies shots, but I live in Greece and rabies has vanished here since the 40's! And he's an indoor cat. So its is quite impossible for him to get rabies, unless I get it elsewhere and come home and bite him! However, in some places rabies shots for pets are obligatory. In Greece they are obligatory too, but the only problem is that I will only have to give him the shots if I travel, and his passport will have to demonstrate he had the shot. No one will come in my house to check it!

CAREFUL: HE REALLY NEEDS THE REST OF HIS SHOTS FOR CAT DISEASES ONCE A YEAR THOUGH!

Answer 4

It's federal law to have all cats and dogs given their Rabies shots as recommended by the vet. Some use a 2 year dose and other use a one year dose. Ask the vet which they use for the cats since yours in indoor kept, you should ask for the 2 year dose if available to cats. Even an indoor only kept can can get out and this is where he will need to be protected against the rabies virus. So for your cats safety go get him his shots.

I had a rescued fully declawed cat get out before and she was attacked by a dog that I know the owners didn't get it's shot for, the children told me they never took it to the vets for anything and that they couldn't afford to do so. My cat had gotten her rabies shot, but the vet gave her another dose just as a booster to the first dose for added protection. A month later the dog attacked their children and was put down.

Answer 5

While I would generally agree with you that indoor cats with no other outside contact (including mice, ferrets, dogs) are not in danger of getting rabies, you also have to check to see if the municipality requires it by law. I occasionally get mice (and the cats get them) and once in a while, we get a bat indoors. Bats particularly can be carriers.

If cost is a factor, many counties offer semi-annual vaccination clinics. You only pay for the injection ($8-10) and no vet visit. In most cases, these vaccinations are precautionary, but with the increase in rabies in some areas, it seems smarter to get than do without. I would also recommend getting distemper as that is quite contagious.

There are instances where getting any vaccinations is inadvisable. My vet will no longer give rabies shots to indoor cats with chronic renal failure as he has seen for himself that it can immediately downslide 1/3 of the felines.

Answer 6

My sister's house cat caught a bat that got into the house. It had to be quarantined at my sisters expense since it did not have a rabies shot. They finally found the bat and had it analyzed for rabies and found out everything was ok. It still cost them much more for the quarantine than a rabies shot would have cost.

Answer 7

If your cat is an indoor cat, then no. In fact, if your cat is an indoor cat that they really shouldn't get any shots. My friend got shots for her indoor kitty and then a cancerous cyst showed up at the injection site and eventually killed the kitty.

My indoor siamese doesn't get any shots... and he's healthy and happy as ever.
-- Fizz --

Answer 8

since my cats are strictly indoor and deathly afraid of even going near the outside door i gave them the initial rabies shot when i got them and never again after that...if your cat is not strictly indoors (goes outside once in awhile) then you have to get it for them

Answer 9

indoor cats do not really need rabies shots unless you have other animals that venture outside.... a vet will recommend one but sometimes its not neccessary.... just make sure your kitty doesnt happen to escape or run outdoors and you are fine...

Answer 10

It relies upon on the position you stay. If rabies are endemic, then the reply is certain, even in the experience that your cat is interior in basic terms. the in basic terms benefit is they could get a three years rabies shot, really than a one 3 hundred and sixty 5 days shot. The guidelines on your State be certain the requirement. So what if the regulation calls for it, and also you ignore it? some vets received't see an animal it truly is no longer contemporary for his or her rabies shot if required by regulation. And, in the experience that your cat escapes, and is derived again with a wound, the vet can not manage your cat, yet is had to both quarantine your cat at your price for a lengthy time period, or euthanize it. the position I stay, it truly is a $three hundred/day effective for having an unvaccinated animal, and enforcement officials are licensed to bypass door to door. i do not comprehend of that taking position despite the indisputable fact that.