Do You Need to Vaccinate an Indoor Cat?
If you're about to buy or adopt a cat and plan on keeping it indoors permanently, then you may not worry so much about its long-term health. After all, if your cat won't ever go out, it isn't likely to have a traffic accident, get into a fight with another cat or pick up any germs.
So, you may think that you don't need to have your cat vaccinated against common feline diseases. However, this isn't the case. Vaccinations are still important for indoor cats. Why?
Humans Bring in Bugs
While your indoor cat won't have any direct contact with other cats, this is no guarantee that your cat won't come into contact with viruses and bacteria. You and any visitors that come into your home could make your cat ill. This may be a higher risk if your friends and family have their own cats. They may transfer stuff from their cats into your home.
Some cat illnesses and conditions are airborne. So, if you pick up elements of a cat flu virus when you're out of the house, you could bring the virus back in. Other serious conditions like feline enteritis can be carried in on your shoes if you come into contact with it.
If your cat isn't vaccinated, then it is at more of a risk. It is more likely to get sick if it doesn't have the protection of common feline inoculations.
Your Cat Won't Always Be Indoors
You may not plan to let your cat outside, but there will be times when it will need to leave your home. These excursions may be planned or unplanned. For example, if you need to take your cat to the vet, then it might be exposed to sick animals and viruses. If you want to go on holiday and can't find a cat sitter, then you may decide to board your pet in a cattery for a couple of weeks. Again, it could get a lot of exposure to other cats in this environment.
Sometimes, indoor cats simply make a run for it and escape outside for a while through a door that's been left open accidentally. This may not happen that often, but even a short trip outside could be harmful to an unvaccinated cat.
So, don't assume that it's OK not to vaccinate your cat. Talk to your vet about the animal vaccinations your cat may need and how often it will need them.