Whether your cat is indoor or outdoor, they may have fleas! Indoor cats do need to be vaccinated. If your cat never leaves the house, is it still necessary to give him or her regular worming treatment? Only a few of them might be due for vaccinations. Proponents of outdoor cats believe these cats indulge their hunting instinct and enjoy nature the way their indoor counterparts cannot. “No matter how aloof a cat may seem, they do rely on their relationship with you, and not just for food. It is important to create an environment that is enriched, stimulating, and helps supplement what cats normally would get outside. And they actually need to eat grass. Climbing and resting. While indoor cats do not need collars there are some circumstances where you might prefer they have one. She does sneak out on occasion, but my dog goes in and out. Thankfully, you do not need to bathe a cat in water very often, unless it has a condition. Busy streets, unexpected encounters with wildlife, and environmental and manmade toxins can all pose risks to outdoor cats. why do i need to check a stool sample on my indoor cat? Collars are primarily intended as an ID, the microchip replaces this. Cats need to roam! This might be for added peace of mind in case your cat decides to shoot out, a higher chance of your cat being returned in your area or for medical reasons. Thanks for this article. What Vaccines Do Indoor Cats Need? Cats that are kept exclusively indoors live on average at least twice as long as outdoor cats. Right? However, I guess there are circumstances which would make indoor rearing the most practicable solution. She has Frontline every 3 months, and i have no problems. Good question. Check with your cat’s veterinary office to see exactly which of your cats are due for vaccinations, and see if you need vaccines for indoor cats. Indoor cats will also appreciate access to a clean litter tray in a private area, to do their business. Exercise is important as cats are very active pets and so room to play as well as access to cat toys such as scratching posts are very beneficial. 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. However, this is certainly not the case. Do this a few days in advance to save stress on the "big day." Some cat owners who do not have a lot of experience might be under the impression that as long as they keep their cats indoors, their cats do not need to be vaccinated. My question was more about what cats need IN ADDITION TO rabies, if anything. Spaying and neutering will improve your cat’s health, reduce the risk of health problems, and should be done as early as possible. On social media recently I followed a heated discussion as to whether indoor-only cats need to be vaccinated against rabies. Do Indoor Cats Need Their Nails Clipped? And depending on where you live and what ordinances have been enacted by your municipal or local governing body, the answer to the question “do indoor cats need a pet license,” could range anywhere from: No, yes, probably, maybe, likely, absolutely.The answer to the question is for indoor cat owners to take the responsibility of finding out. Do cats really need baths? While the Feline Leukaemia virus breaks down rapidly in the environment, the Herpesvirus can last a day or so, the Calicivirus a month or so, and the Panleukopenia virus for over 6 months (possibly even over a year). i have 2 indoor cats ages 2 and 4. always been indoor cats. In fact, it’s such a common question, the NYS Veterinary Medical Society recently addressed the issue in its monthly newsletter to veterinarians. Learn more. If your cat is strictly an indoor cat, does he need to be vaccinated each year for distemper, and rabies? 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. Your cat could accidentally get outdoors. 6 Reasons to Vaccinate. A surprising (to me) number of cat owners argued that since their cats lived inside and were never allowed outside, a rabies vaccination wasn’t needed. Cats can slip out an open door before you know it. Here's what you need to know to help keep your indoor cat protected from fleas. Do Indoor Cats Need Grass? The most common route of transmission for indoor cats is through bats. It certainly made me think about all the aspects of rearing an indoor cat. Owners of a cat that has gotten rabies are at high risk for contracting this deadly virus. In a word, no. It is a sometimes hotly contest conversation on whether indoor cats are happier and healthier than outdoor cats. Although the indoor environment may be safer, the indoor environment may not interesting to a curious cat. For my indoor cat, I put Advantage on her about once every 4 or 6 months. That's a big difference. And they should, considering how much time they spend at it. It is true that indoor cats will be less likely to experience various medical problems … Personally I do believe that cats are domesticated wild cats and they need to go outside to live a fulfilled life, hunt and socialise. If this is the case, then you would need to purchase a quality flea shampoo that is made specifically for cats. Indoor cats ideally need more than one scratching post in different locations in the home. Wrong! Spay/Neuter your indoor cat just in case. According to what I've researched, the eating of a carrier flea while a cat is washing itself will convey worm eggs to the cat. Before you bring your new cat or kitten home, there are a number of things to collect or buy, so your cat will feel like a family member rather than a visitor. When your cat is a kitten, they will need their initial vaccines to make sure that they start off their lives with a healthy immune system free of any potentially deadly diseases. I take my two cats to get vaccinations yearly, but I often wonder if they really need all of them since they are indoor only cats. Now, these diseases are primarily spread cat to cat, so you might think that indoor cats would be entirely safe, but unfortunately that isn’t the case. If you discover fleas on your indoor cat, you're probably wondering just how they got there. How Did My Indoor Cat Get Fleas? Cat aerobic centres offer climbing, hiding and playing opportunities and can be ideal for indoor cats. If they’re not rolling around the garden, stuffing their face with mice or brushing up against other animals, do you still need to worry about worms? No, say many experts. do they need regular vet check ups? She doesn't eat birds or rodents, or come into contact with faeces from other animals. But Bennett says when it comes down to it, it’s really the connection between owner and pets that helps her cats stay healthy. After all, grooming themselves is something cats do very well. It’s one of the most common questions my staff and I are asked at annual exams for indoor cats. A good place to keep them is near their bed/a favourite sleeping spot. Many cats are natural born roamers but others prefer to spend their time indoors. However, cats use their nails for many more activities than people: to hunt, to climb trees, even to mark their territory by scratching things. 2 In general, indoor cats have a 15-17 year life expectancy compared to outdoor cats' life expectancy of two to five years. It’s logical to think that cats may need their nails clipped, just like humans. Do indoor cats require routine vaccination, the answer is yes! Do Indoor Cats Need Microchips? I know that there is a possibility of them escaping at one point or another, but I worry about giving them too many shots that they don't really need if they're indoor only. She's an indoor cat, except for accompanied daily walks on a cat harness. Indoor Cats. She says love and attention are the best things to keep your indoor cat content. Indoor cats are more secluded than outdoor cats are so will need to be interacted with more often. Advantage® II for Cats. While it’s a lot less likely an indoor cat will get communicable cat diseases (diseases cats can pass on to other cats) like feline leukemia, as well as other frightening diseases like rabies if he or she is always inside, don’t forget that your indoor cat could escape, even if just for a short time, and thus be exposed to the same frightening diseases outdoor cats frequently are exposed to. In the excitement of bringing your cat home, you don't want to suddenly discover at 8 p.m. that you forgot to buy cat food.Here are the minimum essentials your cat will need: #2 Do It For Their Health. How do you know cats and dogs have identical immune systems? However, indoor cats do need access to activity that will stimulate both their mind and their body and provide the exercise that they would naturally engage in if they were out and about. After all, there are dangers outside that can shorten his life, like cars, malicious people, and contagious feline illnesses. both seem very healthy. Indoor cats should also be vaccinated because the viruses that cause the disease can “hitchhike” into the house on shoes and clothing. Posted on January 29, 2020 by Jayne Jancys If you’ve just bought or adopted a little purrball, you’ll want to make sure all of her vaccinations are up-to-date and accurate. If cats don’t run the risk of encountering disease, why do they need core vaccines (or titers) every three years? It is a myth that cats who live indoors do not need to be vaccinated against infectious diseases. Please discuss how often you should bath your cat with your vet. If they do come home, they may come home pregnant, or may come home only after impregnating another cat. Everyone knows that cats are carnivorous, thats why I love this food for them (click for reviews on Amazon).While most of the felines we stay with may seem domesticated, their claws, teeth and occasional dead mouse are evidence of its hunter's heart. In addition, she has a regular flea treatment. Preventive Care and Vaccines for Indoor Cats: Even if they never leave the house, indoor cats still need to be vaccinated to protect their health. They will also need a rabies vaccine at the time intervals required by your local law. Of course being indoor cats they do not have access to this unless you actually give it to them. Unfortunately, there are … Spaying/Neutering early will: Below I explore the reasons why your cat might want to eat grass, why it should eat grass, and how you can provide it for your indoor cat. But keeping your kitty inside doesn't necessarily mean he won't need some of the primary veterinary care you might associate with outside cats. I do not put any of these on older cats as their systems are much more sensitive. Here are half-dozen good reasons your veterinarian wants you to keep your cat up-to-date on her vaccinations. These are the required or recommended vaccines for indoor cats. I don't know if Florida requires the rabies vaccine, but if it does, I will not ask for a waiver for any cat that has no adverse reaction to it. While living an indoor lifestyle is certainly safer overall than living outdoors, and indoor living contributes to a longer life expectancy, important infectious diseases can find indoor cats. Cat rabies vaccines are available as 1-year vaccines and 3-year vaccines. This is where experts tend to disagree, and the answer becomes a less-simple one. Bats and small mammals can make their way into homes and cats are very adept at catching them. 189 views. First, a cat's lifespan is longer indoors. Does anyone know which shots they do and don't need? Keeping your cat inside is safest for him. Climbing is brilliant physical exercise for cats and getting up high means they can find a quiet spot to watch the world go by, and relax. Or outdoor, they do not put any of these on older cats as their systems are much sensitive... 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