If you’re the owner of an indoor cat, it’s essential to make sure they’re up-to-date on their shots. Shots act as a shield against viral and bacterial diseases. A feline keeper should be aware of what shots do indoor cats need?
While cats that spend time outdoors usually need fewer vaccinations than those who stay inside, there are still certain vaccines all indoor cats should receive.
This blog post will let you know about the essential vaccination shots your indoor cat needs to keep them healthy and safe.
What Shots do indoor Cats need?
Cats living indoor should be vaccinated against:
- Rabies
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
- FVRCP
- Panleukopenia
- Calicivirus
- Bordetella
- Rhinotracheitis Virus and
- Chlamydia
1. Rabies in Cats
Rabies is a contagious virus that spreads through close contact between mammals (including humans); your cat’s chances of catching it are very slim, especially if they live indoors or spend most of their time away from other animals. However, the disease could be fatal if kitties fall victim to it.
Rabies shots should be provided yearly for indoor cats because the virus has a long incubation period before showing any symptoms.
2. Feline Leukemia
The mortality rate of Feline leukemia is very high as it kills 50% of its patients felines within three years. This is a serious killer, and indoor cats are at stake too, so it’s essential to vaccinate your cat every year against this disease.
FeLV vaccine is recommended for indoor cats that live away from other pets, like outdoor cats. This disease can be passed through bodily fluids and bite wounds, making an intact cat living with other cats more likely to contract FeLV than an indoor-only kitty.
3. Panleukopenia
Feline Panleukopenia is a highly contagious virus that causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and dehydration. Cats infected with Panleukopenia will be sick for several days before recovering or dying at the end stages of the disease.
While some vets recommend vaccinating indoor cats against panleukopenia on an every-other-year schedule, I recommend it annually because this virus can kill your cat quickly.
4. Calicivirus
Cats can suffer from upper respiratory infections if exposed to Calicivirus, which may not seem like a big deal if you have one cat living indoors only.
However, tens of hundreds more potentially sick cats outside your home are just waiting to come in and possibly infect your fur baby.
5. FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis)
FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis) is a combination vaccine that protects your kitty against two types of cat flu– Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus.
It’s good to give this shot yearly because it can protect against viruses like panleukopenia, which are deadly in nature.
6. Bordetella
If your cat goes outside or spends time around other animals, chances are they’ll be exposed to bordetella sooner or later. While this disease doesn’t look like much (most cats recover within two weeks), it can lead to more severe problems like bronchitis and pneumonia.
It’s not common for an indoor cat to get bronchitis, but it can be fatal if your cat does come down with this illness.
7. Chlamydia
Your indoor cat should receive a chlamydia vaccine once annually because this is another potential upper respiratory infection. Chlamydia shots for indoor cats are usually in combination with FVRCP vaccine.
8. Rhinotracheitis Virus
No cat owner wants their kitty to suffer from upper respiratory infections. The Rhinotracheitis Virus vaccine shots are crucial for indoor cats because they protect your fur baby against the diseases that are most likely to make them ill.
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Conclusion
What Shots do Indoor Cats need? There are many possible ways your cat can get contagious diseases and may fall sick. Indoor Cats needs a series of essential shoots. Vaccinating felines against diseases are considered mandatory in almost all the states of the USA and other countries too.
However, the choice is yours. The responsibility of the negative and positive impacts of the vaccines lies upon you. Nonetheless, your vet is your best advocate for you; consulting them regarding this issue is highly favorable. Build regular contact with a professional veterinarian on a detailed brief for vaccination.
FAQ:
What vaccines do indoor cats need yearly?
According to NASA PET HOSPITAL, your feline needs two primary vaccinations to stay healthy; Rabies vaccines and the combination vaccines FVRCP – it protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Panleukopenia Virus and Calicivirus.
What vaccinations do cats need?
Rabies vaccines and the combination vaccines FVRCP are the best-recommended vaccines for cats. Almost all the prestigious and well-known pet care and research centers across the US suggest these two.
Do indoor cats need rabies shots every year?
Your kitten needs to be vaccinated for Rabies during the first year of its life. Their first dose validation period is 1 year. Another dose of 1 year or 3 years is required after the expiry of the first one.
How often do indoor cats need shots?
It depends upon the vaccine and the circumstances of your kitty. However, an adult cat should get their shots every year or 3 years. Your vet may best guide you in these types of scenarios.
Do indoor cats need feline leukemia vaccine?
This disease spreads through bodily fluids and bites wounds, and your indoor cat may probably get infected by other wild or nearby indoor pets. So it is favorable to vaccinate your cat for Leukemia.
Do I need to vaccinate indoor cat?
All living things are at stake of catching any disease any moment, and the same goes for your kitty. They also may get contagious viral or bacterial diseases from other pets. To get your beloved one healthy and safe, you need to vaccinate them.
What happens if I don’t vaccinate my indoor cat?
If your cat is not vaccine certified, its chances of catching a disease are very high. Since cats are vulnerable animals, diseases like Feline leukemia and others are waiting to attack them. So it is in the pet’s best interest to get them vaccinated immediately.
