Vaccinating your indoor cat

You may be surprised to find out that your cat needs to be vaccinated, even if they’re an indoor creature! There are plenty of opportunities for cats to be exposed to harmful pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses). Indoor cats often have “outdoor access” even if it’s indirectly. Pathogens can hitchhike into your home on shoes, clothing or your hands and infect your cat. 

 

Other possible pathogen exposures may include:

• Bats that may enter homes or cottages
• Travel on a leash or in a carrier
• An indoor cat who is an “escape artist,” darting outside unattended
• Fostering or adopting a cat with an unknown background

Vaccines

All cats—indoor cats, too—should be vaccinated according to the recommended schedule outlined below:

Distemper, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus (FVRCP) are given at 8-10 weeks, 12-14 weeks and 16-18 weeks of age in the “kitten series.” Adult cats receive a booster about one year later (at about 16-20 months of age) and then every three years. 

• Distemper may cause severe and often fatal gastroenteritis (stomach and intestinal infection) and is very contagious to other cats. 
• Feline upper respiratory disease (calicivirus, rhinotracheitis) is serious in young kittens, harming the immune system and causing long-term health problems, including chronic pneumonia. 

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is given as part of the kitten series at 12-14 weeks and again at 16-18 weeks. 

• For ‘indoor only’ cats, this vaccination isn’t necessary after the first year of life. 
• FeLV is widespread in outdoor cats, and kittens are highly susceptible to infection.

Rabies vaccines are given once kittens are 12 weeks of age and every three years thereafter. The timing of rabies vaccination varies from state to state. Rabies is a fatal disease in pets and humans with no treatment or cure.

Keep your indoor cats protected! Call your VCA veterinarian to schedule your appointment today.

Find out how to care for your pet after their vaccinations. >>