Indoor Vs Outdoor Cat Shots

Unfortunately it s a common misconception that indoor cats don t need to be vaccinated because they won t encounter other cats or disease carrying animals.

Indoor vs outdoor cat shots. Deciding whether or not a cat should be an indoors or outdoors animal is up to individual owners but the pros and cons provide substantial evidence toward indoor cats. Like many cat lovers you may have thought about letting your cat go outside. Indoor cats should also be vaccinated because the viruses that cause the disease can hitchhike into the house on shoes and clothing. Bat rabies is the most common strain to infect humans.

Statistics show the lifespan of an indoor cat is much longer than an outdoor cat. Any cat that is exposed to the outdoors or any indoor cat that could possibly come in contact with a bat should be vaccinated for rabies. On average an indoor cat lives 10 15 but some cats can live for as many as twenty years. 4 crucial shots that all indoor cats really need catvills every cat owner i know has indoor house cats who spend very little if any time roaming around outside.

You can either buy a collar with a tag but make sure the collar has a safety clasp that will release if your cat gets caught on something or invest in a microchip that is implanted between your cat. A lot of cat owners feel guilty about keeping their cat inside and worry that they are depriving their cat of natural instincts or fresh air and sunshine. The vaccine usually starts out with a series vaccines given every three to four weeks until the cat is 16 weeks of age and then again after one year. The american association of feline practitioners aafp believes that an indoor outdoor lifestyle for cats in a safe environment can keep away most dangers and provide a more stimulating place for your cat to participate in natural activities creating a safe outdoor environment can include walking your cat with a harness and leash having an outdoor enclosure where your cat can roam freely.

Don t assume that your cat doesn t need at least some vaccines just because he doesn t go outside. Every cat whether indoor or outdoor should see the vet at least twice a year for an exam and regular regimen of vaccines and all cats need to have some form of identification cruz says.