Cat Vaccinations - The Purpose & Importance of Cat Vaccinations

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: Neighborhood Vets Mobile Care

What exactly are cat vaccinations?

Cat vaccinations are vaccines created from viruses and they're made to prevent those viruses. They're preventive in nature.

Dr. Larry Nieman
Neighborhood Vets Mobile Care

Are cat vaccinations necessary?

Yes, vaccinations are very important and necessary. I used to see really sick cats with a high mortality rate prior to being able to vaccinate.

What cat vaccinations are typically recommended and what are they for?

The main one is for upper respiratory disease, it's called FVRCP, which covers several viruses that cause respiratory disease in cats. Rabies is also recommended. For cats that go outdoors or get exposed to unvaccinated cats on a regular basis, there are other non-core vaccines.

What is the vaccination schedule for?

The vaccination schedule is in place because immunity tends to wane, so that's why they call vaccines boosters. Once the immunity from a vaccine wanes off, it's time to get boosters.

What is the vaccination schedule for kittens?

Kittens need to have core vaccinations every three to four weeks until they're at least 14 weeks old. Once they're 14 weeks then they can get their final booster and their rabies vaccine.

What is the vaccination schedule for adult cats and senior cats?

Adult cats and seniors get yearly boosters. Some vaccines are licensed for longer duration of immunity when cats have received several vaccines over their life.

Are there risks or side effects associated with cat vaccinations?

Yes, there are risks. Veterinarians are trained to weigh the risk versus the benefit and your veterinarian will be able to tell you based on your individual cat whether the risk outweighs the benefit.

If my cat's going to live indoors do they still need to be vaccinated?

Yes, they do. Your veterinarian will help you determine whether they need vaccinations or not based on your cat, your environment, and what kind of exposure your cat is going to have.

Why is it important to avoid missing a cat vaccination?

It's important because immunity waxes and wanes. It increases when they get a booster shot and then it decreases.

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Cat Vaccinations - FAQs

Dr. Larry Nieman
Neighborhood Vets Mobile Care

Are all kitten and cat vaccinations necessary?

Yes, all kitten and cat vaccinations are necessary. They are preventive in nature. The vaccines used in veterinary medicine today are scientifically refined and cause minimal reactions. Cats were much more susceptible to severe diseases before vaccinations were available - diseases that have a 75% mortality rate. Yearly vaccinations are crucial for cat health.

Are core cat vaccinations mandatory?

While important, core cat vaccinations are not officially mandatory. What is mandatory largely depends on the state, the county, and the city in which you live, as well as their respective laws. However, almost universally across America, rabies vaccination is required. All other vaccines are preventive in nature.

What are the non-core vaccinations and why would my cat need them?

The non-core vaccinations include feline leukemia and FIP. In addition to the core vaccination for rabies and respiratory diseases (feline panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus), these may be necessary if your cat interacts with other cats outdoors, or if there are other situations where they might be exposed to these diseases. If you're bringing in feral cats or temporary pets into your home, you might want to consider these vaccines.

If my cat seems healthy, does she still need vaccinations?

Yes, even if your cat seems healthy, she still needs regular vaccinations. The purpose of vaccination is to keep your cat healthy. Therefore, even healthy cats should see a veterinarian on a yearly basis as there may be other problems that are not immediately apparent.