Do I need to give my ALWAYS indoor cats there year vaccinations?

Question

Not sure if I need to waste the money every year, and one of my cats gets sick everytime.

Answer 1

It's not necessary, but I'd recommend it. Your cat could get out and if it comes in contact with another cat that has it it could very well get it. I had a cat die from leukemia, not a pretty thing at all. Very pitiful and painful, I eventually had to have him put asleep because neither of us could bear it.

Answer 2

Personally, I dont think feline leukimia is necessary for a strictly indoor cat. They can only get it from other cats. But make sure your cat is STRICTLY indoor, cause u dont wanna be a part of the problem. You want to give the rabies shot simply because if they dont have it, and they go nuts and bite or claw a vet, then they might have to be quarantined or even put to sleep, even if they dont have rabies--they NEED the proof of not having rabies. Rabies isn't a once a year thing though; i think its every three years? Anyway, neither me nor my mother has ever given an indoor cat their feline leukemia shots, and no disaster has ever occured.

Answer 3

How old is your cat? I do agree with yearly vaccinations because it is important to at least be vaccinated against cat flu. Feline leukaemia vaccination is not really necessary for a strictly indoor cat.

Personally I would stop giving my own cats after 8 or ten years of age. Ask the vet what they think though - yes I know (or I've heard, but never met) that you get 'money grubbing' vets who insist you get yearly vaccinations for the whole of the cat's life, but you should be able to tell his motivations or not!

Keep in mind that if you ever want to put your cat in a cattery you will not be able to if s/he is not up to date in shots.

Chalice

Chalice

Answer 4

We personally wouldn't bother. Poor cat gets sick every time, doesn't go out, so what's the point?
Chances are the cat has already built up an immunity like us and we go outdoors. No more vacs for us lot, no more insurance, etc just alot of TLC, stressfree living and most importantly a NATURAL DIET keeping our immune system healthy!
Have a look on any holistic site for us animals. We enjoy Nick Thompson as listed below; also John Burns who are both holistic vets!

Answer 5

Yes IF:
you have a screen porch, at ground level, there are outside cats that will be attracted to your cats odor.
I would consider having the distemper shot, as this disease is an air borne contracted illness. Like wise you may want to consider the rabies, just to be safe, as they can fight thu a screen.
My cat gets ill from too many shots, at the same time, to. I have decided to spread them out, to one at a time.
Have you considered asking your vet for a kennel rate, it may mean bringing in them all ,but cheaper- just a thought?

Answer 6

You don't have to but it is best as most diseases are air born and can come in through open door and window. it's cheaper for the shots than if the cat's come down with one of those diseases.
it's like insurance should you pay just in case.
I have 3 indoor cats and I don't take my chances i get them done every year.

Answer 7

my opinion is yes. all animals, indoor or outdoor should be vaccinated regularly. some diseases are airborne, some you can pick up by petting an infected animal or even by walking through an infected animals path thus picking it up on your shoes, different diseases transfer in different manners...you should also consider the "what if" factor, what if your pet gets out?better safe than risk losing your pet...

Answer 8

if you can guarantee they're not going out or will socialize with other animals, skip it. it's not worth the pain and torture of a trip to the vet (mine HATE the car, they freak out for days) for something useless. just make sure they never get out!