Thank you so very much for this post. I have been struggling with whether to vaccinate my indoor babies or not and I honestly believe it is in their best interest to NOT do it. One is an 18 yr old boy and I think the stress of that might seriously hurt him instead of help. Thank you. I wish there were more holistic vets like you around.

My cat was a year old July 09. She had her rabies this past January when she was spaded. She has had her intiial vaccine when she was a kitten.
I want to protect her but I am not sure I need to take her to the vet any further because she is an indoor cat. PLEASE ADVISE

Going back last year I had my cat vacinated for his yearly vaccine and he had an allergic reation that made him swell in the mouth, vomit and almost go into seizures. Since then I am so troubled to now whether to get the next vaccine which was due a month ago done. My cat is 2 yrs old and a full-time indoor cat, what should I do?

Michelle – Dr Elliot says: “No If the cat has a vaccine reaction then there are medical reasons why he shouldn’t be re-vaccinated.

I would decline the vaccine for medical reasons.”

This may be a silly question, but here goes. My cats are indoor pets – they never go out. If I get a dog at a later date, obviously he/she will have to have a daily walk. Is the dog likely to pick up any germs that will be transferred to the cats when he gets home, or would the fact that they’re different species negate this risk? Thanks.

There are no silly questions! Here’s what Dr Elliot says:
“You are quite right. Different species. Different diseases. There are no real viruses that a dog can bring home to a cat. What you have to worry about are external parasites like fleas and ticks. If you protect the dog from getting these things there will be much less of a chance that anything could be passed to your cat.

Always feel free to ask the silly questions. There are always other people out there wondering about the same exact thing.” Best regards, Dr. Jill Elliot http://www.nyholisticvet.com

My male kitten got only his first vaccine when he was 8 weeks. I am debating if I should give him boosters. He is now 18 weeks.
Does it matter to give him boosters? He is an indoor cat. I am aware I should have him fixed when he is 6 months if I don’t want him to urinate to mark territory around house, etc. I had only female cats so far, one died of throat cancer and the other one is about 14 years old . I hate to do it, but I heard some horror stories and he may want to run away, etc.

My kitten got the his first shot of FVRCP but no booster at 12 weeks or 16 weeks. He is now 5 months. Is it too late for boosters/

I was so pleased to read Dr. Jill Elliot’s recommendations not to give vaccines to totally indoor cats after initial vaccines as kittens and boosters after one year. Before I put a halt to the vaccines for my older cats I encountered so many problems after they were administered. Hopefully, in time I will be able to locate a hollistic Vet not too far from my home. Thank you again for this valuable information. Will share this site with my friends.

So pleased to read that a Vet is recommending no vaccines and one year boosters for indoor cats. This is a practice I have been against for many years. Glad to have found this site.

Dr Elliot has been taking care of my pets for many years and I attribute the long life – 13 years – of my late Yellow Lab, Sam, to her wonderful treatment. He had been diagnosed with early stages of kidney failure when I met Dr Elliot – something that traditional veterinary medicine can’t fix.

She told me homeopathy could help, and it sure did. When Sammy died, his kidneys tested normal. When I got Benny, we started holistic treatment from the start. Ditto for my cat, Noni. So happy you found us.

Learn more about Dr Elliot at her website

We are getting ready to have a baby anytime. Do I need to take my 10-yr old cat to have any shots or vaccinations in preparation for this? She has always been an indoor cat, and she has not had any shots since she was a kitten. I just want to make sure she doesn’t pose a threat to the baby. Thanks.

i’ll ask Dr Elliot to respond to you.

I have a 8yr old and 4 yr old female indoor-only cats from the Humane Society so have had all shots. I live in S. Florida where it is mandatory for ANNUAL rabies shots. I refused all other shots. Titers are prohibitively expensive and so is the fine for not vaccinating for Rabies. Any suggestions? I firmly believe annual vaccines for indoor cats are a racket for the vets and county to get revenue.

I have a 7 year old Bengal who had all his shots for 5 years. Because of his reaction to one of them, being listless for a couple of weeks, I have stopped all shots. The question is, he does not go out except on a leash, doesn’t want to, but, we do go for walks in our yard. Does he need shots?

My kitten just got his first set of shots. The vet I went to said he should go back in three weeks for another booster shot, but from what I just read at the top of this page it says one year for the booster so nore I’m confused! Do I bring him back in three weeks or one year? And if he it’s strictly an indoor cat does he still need to go back in one year? I’ve read so many horror stories about vaccinations after getting his I’m wondering if I should if even got those? He was the sweetest cuddly cat, but he hasn’t come near me & even looks away when I pet him (just got his shots today btw) hes acting as if he may be nass st me! please help..

Dr Elliot says:
“Whether to get the second round depends on his age. Usually if he is under 16 weeks then get a second shot. I usually do the rabies vaccine separately and much later after 16 weeks old. I personally recommend all cats be seen by their vet once a year. However for indoor cats I do not recommend repeated vaccinations. It always depends on their life style. Feel free to contact me personality for a more specific answer if you wish. 212-741-4000″

I believe every indoor cat should get the rabies vaccine, as required by law. The Purevax Rabies vaccine is a vaccince without the addictive that causes cancer. It is given once a year.

My cats are strictly indoors, but we had a bat get into our house recently and my kitty went nuts, catching it twice! You never know what kind of wild animal can get into your house. I am thankful that I made the common sense choice to get my kitties vaccinated.

nobody said you should never get your cats vaccinated. they all need the vaccines during the first 2 years of their lives. however, there is ample evidence that the protection from the vaccines can last a lifetime. And no matter what you decide, be aware that the American College of Veterinary Medicine recommends against vaccinating more than once every three years for ANY vaccine, after babyhood.

i get my dog, Benny, his rabies vaccine, as required by law, every three years. but he will not get another “routine” vaccine until his blood titres show he needs them. so far, blood titres inidicate that he has protection. my cat also has had his rabies vaccine, but no others, since he was a kitten.

it is, of course, your choice to vaccinate your animals in a manner that gives you peace of mind.
thank you for commenting on the post

Hi – Dr Elliot has written about shots and indoor cats several times on Pawfun Blog.

Please see:
- Is it against the law not to vaccinate your indoor cat?
- Are annual vaccines harmful to your dog and cat?
- Ask Dr Elliot: To vaccinate or not?
- UC Davis VMTH Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines (Revised 11/09)

As for the tears and sneezing, it sounds like you need to take your kitten to your vet asap!
Best
BL

There are plenty of vaccinations on the market now that are non-adjuvanted and do not cause vaccine associated fibrosarcomas. For those of you who opt to not vaccinate your indoor only cats, please remember that all it takes is one escape into the outdoors, one tussle with a sick animal to fall to FeLV. As a vet med professional, nothing hurts more than seeing a pet whose parents had the best intentions come in with a preventable disease!

Thank you for your comment. What you say is true. People who live in a house or place where a cat might escape should consider getting the FeLV vaccine when their cat is a kitten.

This has been shown to be 95% effective for the rest of their life.

If you want to insure 100% protection you can vaccinate that cat yearly. However there is very little chance of this happening for NYC typical apt. dwelling cats. Of course people may move eventually from an apt. to a house. At that point if they are concerned about the cat escaping they can get the FeLV (two-part vaccine) at that time.

The Pure Vac Rabies vaccine which is labeled to be given on a yearly basis was tested three times and found to give protection for three years. However there was a problem with the testing method and they FDA refused to allow the company to label it for a three year vaccine. If you are going to vaccinate your cat for Rabies the Pure Vac Rabies vaccine is the preferred vaccine. Please ask your vet if they have this before going into their office to get the vaccine.

I am not against all vaccines under all circumstances. I truly advise my clients to make their choices about whether to vaccinate or not dependent on the pet’s lifestyle. I always aim to safe guard to health of all my four-legged patients. Best Dr. Jill

With respect to questions about whether to vaccinate a cat (or dog) that has previously had an allergic reaction to a vaccine…I strongly oppose this.

The reaction is life threatening to the animal. Although many veterinarians will give a steroid injection as well as benadryl injection 20 minutes before giving the vaccine, there is no guarantee the pet will not have a delayed reaction later.

Vaccine manufacturers put a pamphlet in with the vaccines when they are transported. It states that “only healthy animals should be vaccinated.” Animals with previous vaccine reactions, and ANIMALS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES (in my opinion) should not be vaccinated.

You can always ask your vet to send out a blood sample and measure the Rabies TITER (antibody level) rather than give the vaccine if you need to if know your cat or dog has adequate protection.

my parents have a wonderful, happy, active kitten…received his set of vaccines….now lethargic, does not want to play, etc. ..is this from the the 3 vaccines and the booster…my Dad is very upset and taking the kitten back to vet for another check up…originally told that it would pass….but he is still lethargic after several days

My precious 14+ year old cat was diagnosed with vestibular disease about a month ago. He normally has annual boosters. Would these be advisable now?

Hi – Dr Elliot is on vacation. I will not be able to get her response until after Jan 1st. Sorry!

Dr Elliot is on vacation, but I do know that she recommends against vaccinating an animal who is sick. And there is absolutely no excuse for annual boosters. Vaccines should not be given more than once every three years.

We do blood titres on our pets to see if they still have immunity or if they need a booster. I have never once had to re-vaccinate (except rabies, which is legally required in NY) after the first two years.

We have a kitten just over a year old and an older cat. Last year I purchased their vaccines by mail and gave them at home. I want to give the kitten her one year booster but want to make sure I purchase the correct vaccine. Is the FVRCP the same as the distemper combo vaccine. If not, is there somewhere I can purchase the FVRCP vaccine. Also, they are both indoor cats so do I need to worry about giving them the feline leukemia vaccine yearly or does it also stay in the system? Thanks,

I’m sure the company that sells the vaccines can answer these questions for you if you call them.

Should I vaccinate (for rabies) my 14 year old indoor cat (he does sneak outside-but rarely), in order for him to get licensed in my town? I’m hearing that vaccinations could be dangerous at his age and he really doesn’t need them.

please read through the many comments on this post from Dr Elliot and then make your decision. I do not vaccinate my indoor cat, but he did get shots for the first 2 years on Dr Elliot’s advice.

Excuse me ms. should i wash my kitten shes 8 weeks old in winter shes taken a bath with warm water then in sunlight is that ok?

unless your kitten has gotten into something really smelly or sticky, she’s fine to wash herself. Cats spend about half their lives grooming themselves. I’ve had cats for the past 30 years or so, and I can’t say I ever had to give any of them a bath. But, if she’s one of those rare cats who LIKES baths, then, why not.

I had a cat, Splash, who liked to put her head under the water coming out of the tap. :>)

i have a question in regards to my cats. they are both indoor cats. one had his shots when he was a kitten followed by shots a year later. my other i adopted from the shelter. estimated 6 month old she has had her shots. should i vaccinate her for felv because of being abanoded and at the shelter? also with both cats haveing gotten their shots and being indoor cats do i need to revaccinate fora move from iowa to idaho or will they be okay? thanks a bunch

Dear Lara:
I usually do not recommend revaccinating indoor cats after they have gotten all their initial kitten vaccine. If you are moving from Iowa to Idaho and are flying with them the airlines may require a current Rabies vaccination. I do not suggest getting the FELV vaccine if they will be indoors only.

If you plan to let them outdoors then you can give this vaccine and the Rabies vaccine (pure vac for cats) only.

I recently was quoted in the Readers Digest advising against vaccines. Two people wrote in and we upset with me because they had the unusual instance of having a rabid raccoon in one case and a bat with rabies in the second case come into their home and attach their cat. These incidents are rare.

If you have any concerns your animals would even be in a situation where they might be exposed even accidentaly to Rabies then revaccinate for Rabies. Thanks for your inquiry. BTW Most states require Rabies vaccines therefore you have to check with your state to see what the requirements are and then make your own choice for what to do. Best regards.

My wife is pregnant and expecting our first child next month. We have two 5 year old orange tabbies who are exclusively indoor cats. They had their kitten vaccines and one year booster shots but have not been vaccinated since.

Do they need to be re-vaccinated with the baby on the way? Any reason they need to be seen sooner than their upcoming one year check up in December?

I have two cats, one going on two years old They are both vaccinated, up to date, but i am wondering if he needs to be revaccinated. He is due for shots in July. I do take them for walks in the back yard daily ( we have a large yard and they see dogs being walked down the street and won’t go in the front yard).Dhey need heartworm if they go out in the back also? Thank you. I love them to death and want the best in everything for them.

In all previous answers I have advised against re-vaccinating indoor cats. However your cats do go out even if they are on a leash. There is always a chance they could get exposed to a rabid animal. Therefore you might want to vaccinate them with the PURE VAC for cats only Rabies Vaccine which does not have any negative effects.

They don’t need the FVRCP (for respiratory diseases). And they need the FeLV (feline leukemia vaccine). Rabies is a life threatening disease to animals and people. I want you to know they are fully protected. There is more and more information coming out about giving cats heartworm meds.

Again if they are totally indoors and live in NYC probably they don’t need it, but if going outside they could be exposed to mosquitoes and therefore you might want to give it to them at least the months you are taking they outside. And one month after they no longer go outside. There is no treatment for feline heartworm disease and the feline heartworm test is not accurate.

Dear Jonathan:
If your cats have not been to a vet in the last year I would recommend they be seen for an annual exam to make sure they are healthy. Definitely bring in a fecal sample from each cat to screen for parasites and giardia. These can be passsed to people and are more dangerous to small children. You want to be sure they are negative.

If they have not been tested for FELV and FIV you should have these done as well. If all is well you might want to give them one more round of vaccines this time only. Be sure to ask for the PURE VACC Rabies vaccine for cats only. This is just a precaution and usually not necessary.

One other important issue for pregnant women with cats is Toxoplasmosis. This is a disease that can be transmitted to pregnant women and cause problems with the fetus. It is recommended that women do not clean to cat litter box while pregnant. However if your cats have been indoor cats for over a few months, the research shows that they no longer would be able to pass this on to your wife (even if they did test positive for it).

You might ask your wife to be tested for toxoplasmosis by her physician. Most people get exposed to toxoplasmosis while gardening or eating meat tainted with this parasite.
Best of luck to you and your new arrival. Dr. Elliot

Thank you so much! I am against annual vaccinations and have actually gotten into a rough argument with a vet who kept telling me I should vaccinate my cat yearly. I have heard of kidney failures in cats and a friend of mine which has an outdoor cat has only vaccinated her when she was 2 years old and she’s perfectly healthy.
Thanks so much. The vaccines are out of the list now :) Thank you!