Vaccination is an important part of being a responsible pet parent. After all, ensuring your feline friend gets the necessary shots will protect them from some serious and sometimes fatal diseases. But how do you know which shots your cat or kitten needs? And what if they are indoor cats? Do they really still need vaccinations like rabies? Read on to learn about the importance of vaccinating your purry puss against rabies and how often cats need rabies shots.
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What is Rabies?
Rabies is a virus that can infect animals and humans. If caught, it can’t be cured or treated and is, sadly, always fatal.
The symptoms of rabies don’t always appear straight away and can sometimes take several weeks or months to show. As with humans and dogs, cats can have the ‘furious’ form, or the ‘dumb’ form, although the ‘furious’ form is most common.
- Symptoms of the ‘furious’ form of rabies include fever, aggression, irritability, restlessness, and vocalization.
- Cats suffering from the ‘dumb’ form will also have a fever but tend to be quiet and lethargic. Eventually, infected cats will develop spasms, seizures, and paralysis.
Rabies is a virus that can infect animals and humans. If caught, it can’t be cured or treated and is, sadly, always fatal.
How is Rabies Transmitted?
Rabies virus is transmitted via the saliva of infected animals. These days, the most common transmission is bites from infected bats. Still, a bite from any infected animal can lead to infection. Although human rabies infection is rare, there are 1 to 3 reported human cases every year in the US.
Why Vaccinate against Rabies?
Vaccinations aim to either prevent your cat from contracting an infection or reduce their symptoms. In the case of rabies, vaccination will protect your cat from the virus. Their rabies shot not only keeps them safe, but it also keeps you and your family safe from contracting the virus from them. In some US states, it is the law to vaccinate your furry friend against rabies. And, if you want to travel abroad with your cat, they’ll need to be up to date with their rabies shots too.
In some US states, it is the law for all cats to be vaccinated against the deadly disease, regardless of whether they live indoors or out.
FAQ
You might think that if your purry pal is an indoor cat, they don’t need to be vaccinated, especially against rabies. However, we all know that accidents happen, and if your little furry Houdini were to get out, they would be at risk. Therefore, it’s a good idea for indoor and outdoor cats to get regular rabies shots. In fact, in some US states, it is the law for all cats to be vaccinated against the deadly disease, regardless of whether they live indoors or out.
Historically, cats had rabies shots every year once they reached adulthood. However, research has now shown that immunity lasts up to three years, depending on the type of vaccination. The frequency of your cat’s rabies shots will depend on your location in the world, any travel that you intend to do, and your cat’s lifestyle. Some cats will need a rabies vaccination every year, whereas others only need shots every three years.
The frequency of rabies shots that your cat needs will depend on where you live. It is a legal requirement for your cat to have yearly rabies shots in some states, townships, or cities. Yearly rabies shots are also a good idea if your cat is a hunter or adventurer and spends lots of time outdoors. On the other hand, if your feline friend is happier lounging on the sofa than chasing mice, they might only need vaccinating every three years – but check with your vet before making this decision. Remember, no one wants to put their pet through unnecessary vet visits, but a yearly visit for vaccinations is well worth it to ensure that your kitty stays healthy!
Dr. Hannah Godfrey MRCVS graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011. Although she initially worked in mixed practice treating all species, she found a love for small animal work and has worked exclusively with dogs and cats since 2014. She lives in Wales with her partner, son, and two cats (named Poppy and Ashton Kutcher), and writes comedy fiction in her spare time.
