Why Cat Vaccines Are Important for Indoor Cats

We understand that skipping vaccinations for your indoor cat can be tempting but vaccines are as important for our feline homebodies as they are for cats who explore the great outdoors. Here our Huntersville vets explain why vaccines play an important role in the long-term health of both indoor and outdoor cats.

Vaccines To Protect Cat Health

Serious diseases spread between cats affect vast numbers of cats and kittens each year. In order to protect your cat from contracting a serious but preventable condition, it’s critical to begin having your feline friend vaccinated right from the time they are just a few weeks old and continue with 'booster shots' on a regular basis throughout their lifetime. 

As the name suggests, booster shots “boost” your cat’s protection against a variety of feline diseases after the effects of the initial vaccine wear off. Booster shots for cats are given on specific schedules. Your vet will advise you when to bring your cat back for their booster shots.

Why Cat Shots Are Essential for Indoor & Outdoor Cats

Our team at LakeCross Veterinary Hospital knows how tempting it can be to skip annual vaccinations for your indoor cat, but there are some very good reasons why keeping your cat's vaccinations up-to-date is an essential part of caring for your indoor cat's long-term health and wellbeing.

Required By State Law

You may not think that vaccines aren't important if your kitty stays indoors but in most states, at least the rabies vaccination is required for all cats over 6 months of age. Once your cat has their shots your veterinarian will provide you with a certificate showing that your cat has been vaccinated as required.

Escape Artists

Another important reason to have your indoor cat vaccinated is that indoor cats often manage to sneak out the door when their owner isn't looking. Just a quick sniff around your backyard could be enough for your kitty to contract one of the very contagious viruses that cats are susceptible to.

Visiting Other Locations

If your indoor cat visits a groomer or spends time in a boarding facility while you are away from home, vaccines are very important for protecting your pet's health. Wherever other cats have been, there is a chance of spreading viruses - make sure that your indoor cat is protected.

Potential Money Savings

It may seem like an unnecessary expense to get your indoor cat vaccinated but in most cases, having your feline friend vaccinated will cost less than treating the conditions that they protect against.

Vaccination Categories for Outdoor & Indoor Cats

There are 2 categories of vaccinations that are available for pets, 'core vaccines' and 'lifestyle vaccines'. Our Huntersville vets strongly recommend that all cats - both indoor cats and outdoor cats - receive core vaccinations to protect them against highly contagious diseases they could be exposed to.

Core Vaccines for Cats

Core vaccinations should be given to all cats to protect against a range of common, highly contagious, and potentially life-threatening conditions. Your cat or kitten's shot are designed to help prevent the following:

• Rabies - rabies kills many mammals (including humans) every year. These vaccinations are required by law for cats in most states.
• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP) - Typically known as the “distemper” shot, this combination vaccine protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.
• Feline herpesvirus type I (FHV, FHV-1) - This highly contagious, ubiquitous virus is one major cause of upper respiratory infections. Spread through sharing of litter trays or food bowls, inhalation of sneeze droplets or direct contact, the virus can infect cats for life. Some will continue to shed the virus, and persistent FHV infection can lead to eye problems.

Lifestyle (Non-Core) Cat Vaccines

Non-core vaccinations are appropriate for some cats depending on their lifestyle. Your vet is in the best position to recommend which non-core vaccines your cat should have. Lifestyle vaccines protection against:

• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia (Felv) - These vaccines protect against viral infections that are transmitted via close contact. They are only usually recommended for cats that spend time outdoors.
• Bordetella - This bacteria causes upper respiratory infections that are highly contagious. This vaccine may be recommended by your vet if you are taking your cat to a groomer or boarding kennel.
• Chlamydophila felis - Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that causes severe conjunctivitis. The vaccination for the infection is often included in the distemper combination vaccine.

Indoor Cat Vaccination Schedule

Shots for kittens - whether your kitty will live indoors or be allowed out to roam -  should be given starting at about six to eight weeks old. Following this, your cat should get a series of shots at three-to-four-week intervals until they reach about 16 weeks of age.

The recommended vaccine schedule for all cats is the same. When it comes to the differences between vaccinating indoor cats vs outdoor cats it is really a question of which vaccines are best suited to your cat's lifestyle. Your vet will advise you as to which vaccines your cat should have.

Schedule for Kitten Shots & Boosters

First visit (6 to 8 weeks)

• Review nutrition and grooming
• Blood test for feline leukemia
• Fecal exam for parasites
• Vaccinations for chlamydia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis and panleukopenia

Second visit (12 weeks)

• Examination and external check for parasites
• First feline leukemia vaccine
• Second vaccinations for calicivirus rhinotracheitis, and panleukopenia
• First feline leukemia vaccine

Third visit (follow veterinarian’s advice)

• Rabies vaccine
• Second feline leukemia vaccine

Booster Shots for Cats

Depending on the vaccine, adult cats should get booster shots either annually or every three years. Your vet will tell you when to bring your adult cat back for booster shots.

Fully Vaccinated 

Until your cat has received all rounds of their vaccinations (when they are about 12 to 16 weeks old), they will not be fully vaccinated. After all of their initial vaccinations have been completed, your kitten will be protected against the diseases or conditions covered by the vaccines.

If you plan to let your kitten outdoors before they have been fully vaccinated against all the diseases listed above, we recommend keeping them restricted to low-risk areas such as your own backyard.

Possible Side Effects Related to Cat Vaccines

The vast majority of cats will not experience any side effects as a result of getting their shots. If reactions do occur, they are usually minor and short in duration. That said, in rare cases more serious reactions can occur, including: 

• Lameness
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Redness or swelling around the injection site
• Hives
• Severe lethargy
• Fever

If you believe that your cat is experiencing side effects from a vaccine call your vet immediately! Your vet can help you determine any special care or follow-up that may be required.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.