Does my cat need vaccines?

Most of our cats have a different lifestyle than our dogs do. Many cats don’t go outdoors, don’t travel, and rarely leave their house. Do they still need vaccines? The answer is yes, and we’ll tell you why.

A cat’s immune system

Cats are born without any immunity to the diseases of the world. This is different than humans and even dogs, which get some trans-placental immunity from their mothers. Kittens get some antibodies from drinking the first milk their mother produces (colostrum), and that’s it. Those antibodies wear off in the first 2 to 3 months of life, leaving the kitten unprotected again. The only way a kitten can build immunity to diseases is either to get exposed to the disease itself (and survive) or get vaccinated. The good news is that a cat’s immune system has a long memory, so if they are properly vaccinated as a kitten, protection can last quite a while.

Exposure is not always clear

Most of the infectious diseases in cats are spread from cat to cat by contact. So the cat that goes outside and interacts with other neighborhood cats or feral cats in the area is at high risk. They can get exposed by fighting with another cat, sniffing noses, hissing at each other, drinking or eating from the same bowls, or friendly interactions like rubbing against or grooming each other. But what about the indoor only cat that never leaves the house? The first question you should ask yourself is: does my cat truly never leave the house? Does it go to the groomer or the vet? Will I ever need to board my cat, for a vacation or in an emergency situation? Do I ever plan to bring a new cat into the house (adoption, new roommate, new partner, etc.)? What if my cat escapes out the door one day? Even if your cat truly does never leave the house, if you leave your windows open in the summer and there are other cats outside, they could get exposed through the screen. You can also carry contagious diseases into your home on your clothes or your shoes.

But surely my indoor cat has no risk of exposure to rabies

You may be surprised to know that we worry more about rabies in indoor cats than we do about any other contagious disease. Rabies in Central Oregon is found most often in bats. Often those rabid bats are found inside a home, garage, or shed. Sick bats seek a warm, enclosed space. Cats are curious, and many will approach this new critter in their house to investigate. Because bat bites don’t leave much of a mark, it can be hard to know if your cat was exposed. Rabies is a fatal disease, and there is no treatment. It is also zoonotic, which means humans can get it from animals, including our pets. In our opinion, rabies is one of the most important vaccines for a cat, indoors or out.

General population health

Another thing to consider is the health of the cat population worldwide. Many cats don’t have the benefit of a safe, loving home. Contagious diseases are more prevalent in unvaccinated populations, which means the more cats that are vaccinated worldwide, the more hampered these diseases are; it is harder for them to spread. Vaccination helps all cats stay safer.

What the AAHA and AAFP Core Vaccine Guidelines Say

The 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines, published jointly by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners, classify FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) and rabies as core vaccines recommended for every cat, regardless of lifestyle, because these diseases are widespread, highly contagious, or, in the case of rabies, fatal and a public health concern. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccination is also considered core for kittens, since young cats are especially vulnerable, and is recommended for adult cats based on individual exposure risk. The guidelines emphasize that even cats who stay strictly indoors benefit from core vaccination, since exposure can happen in ways that are easy to overlook, such as an escaped trip outside, a boarding stay, or an encounter with a wild animal that finds its way inside.

How do you keep your cat safe?

We recommend vaccinating all kittens for FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia), FeLV (feline leukemia virus), and rabies. Vaccination should start at 8 weeks of age and continue every 3 to 4 weeks until your kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. Once they have completed their kitten vaccine series, they will continue to get vaccines as an adult. We like to talk to you about your cat’s lifestyle and exposure risk and determine which vaccines are recommended for your adult cat.

What to Expect at Your Cat’s Vaccine Visit

A vaccine visit at Pawtown is also a chance for a broader look at your cat’s health. Before any vaccines are given, we perform a physical exam to check things like weight, heart and lung sounds, body condition, and overall demeanor, since vaccines are generally most appropriate for cats who are healthy at the time of the appointment. We will ask about your cat’s routine: whether they spend any time outdoors, whether other pets come and go from the household, and whether travel or boarding is part of their year. Those details shape which vaccines we recommend and how often we suggest boosters. If your cat tends to get anxious at the vet, let our team know beforehand. We can talk through options to help make the visit calmer for both of you. Learn more about our pet vaccination services.

Please contact our office if you have any questions about vaccines for your cat. We would be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Vaccines