How long do rabies shots last?

Question

How long do rabies shots last for cats and have you heard that people are now saying annual shots for pets are bad for their health?

Answer 1

Colorado requires rabies shots for cats every three years, although it does seem to me that the first one only lasts a year. What shots your cat receives should be decided upon by you and your vet, based on the cat's risks. When I was showing, my guys got vaccinated for everything we could think of; now I do rabies and upper resp. The concern over whether annual shots can be bad for the cat's health is valid. Some cats are allergic, may have problems at the site of the vaccine, may not be protected or in rare cases, may develop the disease the vaccine was supposed to prevent. For me it comes down to percentages. For instance, the vaccine for feline leukemia used to be about 80% affective, but without the vaccine the cat would be 100% susceptible (I had indoor/outdoor cats then) and feLeuk is 100% fatal. I lost two cats to feLeuk about 6 months before the vaccine came out, so those odds looked pretty good to me. Now my cats are indoor only and I don't show, so I vaccinate for the things they would be likely to get and what the state requires. purrs

Answer 2

Different vaccines last for different amounts of time. Here in Louisiana a rabies vaccine is required every year (because of all the wildlife in our state) so my docotor uses a vaccine only designed for one year. There are some that last 3 years, but we would be doing a disservice to the animal to be pumping all that into it each year.

Most other vaccines can last 2 or 3 years. We also ask about the animals lifestyle and vaccinate accordingly. We give our patients what they need, but not more than what they need.

Answer 3

Where I live there are 1 year and 3 year shots. For the first shot a 1 year is given or if the 3 year one expires before another one is given you have to have a 1 year shot. Otherwise it is a 3 years shot. Your rabies certificate should say when the shot expires.

Answer 4

Some states now say animals only need rabies shots every 3 years; however, some states (like Alabama where I live) still requires a rabies vaccination yearly.
I have heard there is no need for them every year and that is why many states have changed it to every 3 years. You should contact animal control or a vet and ask what your state requires. However, if your state requires it yearly- you need to get it yearly and keep the paperwork because if something happens (like your animal bites someone) you have to have proof it was vaccinated against rabies.

Answer 5

A rabies shot last for one year, however, if they are bit by a rabid animal in that time, they may need a booster shot as well at that time. As for rabies shots being bad, holistic medicine teaches not to give shots of any kind, to treat everything and let an animals natural immunity build. However,as nice a thought as this is, I dont really find this realistic in todays world./ They also teach that pet food is bad for your animal. You are taking a big risk while waiting for immunities to build instead of treating for things such as rabies and even parvo.

Answer 6

We use a Purevax Feline Rabies vaccination that lasts for one year. Your vet may use something else that lasts longer. You can call them and ask them what type they use and how long it is good for.

Your rabies certificate will also tell you when your cat will be due and what vaccination was used.

Answer 7

Around here the vets give the first one then a booster a year later and then every 3 years

Answer 8

depends on the kind given
they have1 year and 3 year rabies vaccines
ask whoever gave it to your cat which one they used

Answer 9

About 3 years. There's no need to do it more often and YES doing so can effect your cat's health.

Answer 10

traditionally they last one year, but new research shows they may last 3 years.