Vaccinations for Indoor Kitties

[Freedom]

I stick with just the rabies for indoor only cats, as well.

If you are really concerned, the vet can do a titer test, to see what level the immunity is at. That will cost as well, but lets you know if the cat has any protection.

Keep in mind that the "every 2 years" requirements are often set by state law, NOT by the need for the vaccine. For years, up until this past March, here in RI, our rabies shots had to be updated every 2 years. Massachusetts and 37 other states give the SAME vaccine, the SAME dose and manufacturer, and it was good for 3 years in those states. It took a HUGE push for us to get the legislation passed, to finally have it recognized as valid for 3 years here.

As Randi mentioned, if you board your cats when you travel, you may need a different response.

Also if you are doing any type of rescue work and regularly bring strays into your home, you should consider being more proactive on the vaccines for your own cats. Most rescue groups will advise you to keep your own pets safe, as a priority, and which vaccines to maintain.

[TommyCat]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and views on vaccinations for cats. I'm in California, so I believe it's every three years. I'll check my kitty's records. I just changed Vets over a year ago. I always get a pet sitter when I'm gone, and fortunately I also have a neighbor as a back-up. I'll keep you posted as to what my Vet recommends.

[Pinot's Mom]

My kitty, essentially indoor (supervised garden romps only), gets a 3-year rabies. She got distemper ONCE when we first got her (she's 3) and, because she got so sick, I swore to never do it again. My vet supports this.

[Medusa]

My old vet told me point blank that if I intend to keep my cats indoors permanently, there is no reason to vaccinate them. However, since all of my cats are rescues and semi-feral, I vaccinated them in the beginning b/c I worried that one or more of them would bolt outdoors and not return. That wasn't the case, though. Also, when my RB Pidge had to go in for a lion cut, she had to be sedated b/c she was 20 years old at the time and it was considered surgery. (She was too stiff to groom herself properly and it hurt her to be brushed so she became terribly matted.) By the time I got her caught up on her shots, it was quite expensive b/c the groomers at my vet's would not groom her until she had all her shots. My RB Puddy would be terribly sick for 3 or 4 days afterwards so I stopped the shots altogether. Be that as it may, I still do not immunize my cats and my vet feels that's why they live so long. I don't know how true that is but I'm just sayin'.

[krazyaboutkatz]

My current vet told me that since all of my cats are indoor only that after they've had all of their kitten shots and then one regular shot the next year, that I could stop giving them the distemper shot. She also said that she doesn't recommend cats over the age of 10 to get any more shots. The city that I live in doesn't require rabies shots for cats. I used to vaccinate all of my cats annually for both FVRCP and Rabies but I don't any more. They don't go any where except to the vets. My Sky had several bad reactions to the FVRCP shot in the past so no more for him.

[Cataholic]

Add me to the non vacciners, with my vets support. I did the rabies for my two youngins, and one other...that I can't recall, for upper respiratory, maybe? But next year, it will be none for all.

[TommyCat]

Thanks everyone. It's interesting to get everyone's views on the vaccinations. It's great the Vets support your decision, too. I've decided no more shots for my kitty since she's almost 12 years old, and she's completely indoors.