Expert: Becky - 8/4/2006

Question
How frequently should a healthy cat be taken for routine check ups and shots?  Does the cat require routine rabies shots if it is kept indoors and has no direct contact with other animals?  

Answer
Hi John!

Cats should be vacinnated every year, even if they are indoor cats and especially if they stay or go outside.  The reason that even indoor cats that do not come into contact with other cats should still be vaccinated, is because most feline diseases are airborne,which means a stray cat could come onto your property, and your cat could catch a disease just by breathing the same air.  Say your cat is sitting in a screened in porch or at a screened window and a sick stray wanders into your yard. Your cat would simply have to breathe in the virus that the other cat is expelling.  For this reason, it is best to have your cat vaccinated.  To me, it's just not worth taking the chance, but that is up to you.  My cats also stay indoors and never come into contact with other cats, but I always vaccinate them just to be safe.  By the way, you can do this yourself, that is what I do. You can buy vaccines online. Just go to a search engine and type in Pet Products, or Pet vaccines and you will have a large choice of companies that will ship vaccines to you.  I like to use the Ft. Dodge brand, which is what many Vets use. You can get these at a fraction of the cost you will pay at a Veterinary clinic.  Keep in mind though, that Rabies vaccines are required by law and depending on what state you live in, you  may not be able to have them shipped in.

God Bless,
Becky