Let’s start the conversation on what you need to know about cat vaccines! Getting your cat his vaccines and keeping him up to date is really important. Despite the saying, cats don’t actually have nine lives. This means you want to be extra careful and really take care of your cat so she can have a full, long life. This means getting the required vaccinations.
You will need to take your feline friend into the vet for this, unless you have a vet that comes to the home. They can help you know which vaccines to get and when your cat needs them. To help you feel a little more informed before you get to that phase, we’re going to tell you a bit more about cat vaccines.
What You Need to Know about Cat Vaccines
These shots will protect your cat from the many diseases out there that are caused by viruses and bacteria. These shots will also help strengthen your cat’s immune system. If you have a kitten, your vet can help you pick the vaccines that are needed and will also help you know when your cat needs more vaccines as she gets older.
When deciding how to vaccinate your cat, you also need to consider her age, her overall health, and her lifestyle. Your area may also have laws about which vaccinations your cat needs to comply with the law.
Commonly Recommended Vaccinations
Kittens will start with certain shots at 6-8 weeks old. They will come as part of a series every 3 to 4 weeks. As your cat grows into an adult, the shots will be needed less often, usually once a year to every 3 years, depending on the vaccine.
Here are some vaccines that veterinarians recommend for cats:
- Rabies
- Panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper)
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis
Your cat could also need some extra shots, especially if he spends a lot of time outside. This could also include shots for feline leukemia, for chlamydia, and Bordetella (for cats that go to a groomer or stay in a kennel or pet daycare).
If you have an indoor cat who stays home all the time, you might not think you don’t need these vaccinations. She should be already protected, right? Actually, there’s still some risk. There could be airborne germs that bring diseases in from a window or door.
Sometimes even a nice indoor cat will make a break for it and run outdoors from time to time. You wouldn’t want to risk her health, right?
It’s far better to just get the vaccines. If your cat slips out the door, or ever needs to stay in a kennel, she will have the protection in place already.
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