3 Vaccines Your Outdoor Cat Needs
If you keep your cat outdoors, it's important to understand that he or she is at a higher risk of sustaining injuries and contracting diseases than if you were to keep the cat inside. Luckily, you can protect against a lot of the most common diseases by vaccinating your cat. Here are three vaccines your outdoor cat absolutely needs.
1. Rabies
Indoor cats should have rabies vaccines too, but the shot is even more important for cats who will be outdoors. Rabies is always fatal, and it is carried by raccoons, skunks, and other mammals that your outdoor cat may come into contact with. Since humans can contract rabies too, failing to vaccinate your cat can also put your own health at risk. The rabies vaccine is inexpensive, very effective, and easy to come by. Your cat's first shot will be good for one year, and then the subsequent shots will be good for three years.
2. FVRCP
This vaccination actually protects against three different diseases that outdoor cats are susceptible to. These diseases are as follows:
- Feline Rhinotracheitits Virus
- Feline Calicivirus
- Paleukopenia Virus
All of these are respiratory diseases that cause very similar symptoms, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and excessive nasal discharge. Cats can be carriers of these diseases, which means they may not show any symptoms, but they can pass the virus on to other cats. So your cat could catch these diseases by spending time with other cats they encounter outdoors. The vaccine is quite effective. Your cat will need an initial vaccination when he or she is about 4 months old. He or she will need one or two more booster shots in the coming months, followed by a revaccination every three years.
3. Feline Leukemia
In humans, leukemia is a cancer, which may make the term feline leukemia seem confusing. But indeed, this is a virus that cats can catch. It causes symptoms like sneezing, loss of appetite, and lethargy. The cat's symptoms get progressively worse, eventually leading to death. There is no cure for feline leukemia, so vaccination really is the best choice. The virus is highly contagious, so if your cat is not vaccinated and comes across an infected cat outdoors, he or she is very likely to become ill. Your cat will need two or three shots during his or her first year, followed by boosters every three years.
Talk to your vet about each of these important vaccines and how they can help keep your outdoor cat healthy. You can also contact resources like the Apple Valley Animal Hospital.
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