Indoor cats - do they need vaccinations

Hi all,

I have two indoor cats, by which I mean they have never been outside
the falt, and are never allowed so (this is because I live in central
London with heavy traffic, and was advised to raise them as indoor
cats by cat charities for their own safety).

Anyway, my questions is - do they need regular flea etc vaccinations?
So far I have been taking them for vaccinations every 6 months, but it
is very expensive and I wonder if it is necessary given they never go
out, and no other animals come inside?

All opinions much appreciated, thanks,
Dave.

In article ,
enlightened us with...

Anyway, my questions is - do they need regular flea etc vaccinations?

Someone way better than me will get into the vaccination debate.
My personal opinion is that they only need them every 3 years after the
initial set.
However, if you ever need them boarded they'll need them, at least
around here. Check your facility if necessary.

So far I have been taking them for vaccinations every 6 months, but it
is very expensive and I wonder if it is necessary given they never go
out, and no other animals come inside?


Flea and tick treatment is necessary if YOU go anywhere there could be
fleas. Fleas and ticks eat humans, too. You can bring them in with you
on your clothes.
I myself have never needed to have flea and tick treatment for my indoor
cats, but my dog gets treated and she gets a complete physical check-
over by me before coming in the house if she goes anywhere but my urban
neighborhood.
A lot of it depends on where you live. We're too cold and urban here to
have a real flea and tick problem outside unless you go into the woods.
I don't like to put chemicals on or in them if they don't need them.
YMMV.

--
--
~kaeli~
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is
serious.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

In article ,
enlightened us with...

Anyway, my questions is - do they need regular flea etc vaccinations?

Someone way better than me will get into the vaccination debate.
My personal opinion is that they only need them every 3 years after the
initial set.
However, if you ever need them boarded they'll need them, at least
around here. Check your facility if necessary.

So far I have been taking them for vaccinations every 6 months, but it
is very expensive and I wonder if it is necessary given they never go
out, and no other animals come inside?


Flea and tick treatment is necessary if YOU go anywhere there could be
fleas. Fleas and ticks eat humans, too. You can bring them in with you
on your clothes.
I myself have never needed to have flea and tick treatment for my indoor
cats, but my dog gets treated and she gets a complete physical check-
over by me before coming in the house if she goes anywhere but my urban
neighborhood.
A lot of it depends on where you live. We're too cold and urban here to
have a real flea and tick problem outside unless you go into the woods.
I don't like to put chemicals on or in them if they don't need them.
YMMV.

--
--
~kaeli~
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is
serious.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

From: (David Archer)

So far I have been taking them for vaccinations every 6 months, but it
is very expensive and I wonder if it is necessary given they never go
out, and no other animals come inside?

Every 6 months?? That seems way to frequent, IMO. Of course every person has to
decide which vaccines to get for their cat, in consultation with their vet, but
here's some links about vaccines you might find interesting:

http://members.aol.com/smplyschnz/he...axarticle.html

http://wholisticanimal.com/petvaccinations.html

Lauren


________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: (David Archer)

So far I have been taking them for vaccinations every 6 months, but it
is very expensive and I wonder if it is necessary given they never go
out, and no other animals come inside?

Every 6 months?? That seems way to frequent, IMO. Of course every person has to
decide which vaccines to get for their cat, in consultation with their vet, but
here's some links about vaccines you might find interesting:

http://members.aol.com/smplyschnz/he...axarticle.html

http://wholisticanimal.com/petvaccinations.html

Lauren


________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

Thanks all for your advice - think I will take them to the vet and
discuss. Better safe than sorry...

Happy Xmas all!
Dave.

Thanks all for your advice - think I will take them to the vet and
discuss. Better safe than sorry...

Happy Xmas all!
Dave.

Dave, You have to be careful asking the vet. Vets make a good profit
giving shots and some will recommend more frequent vaccination to
generate more income. Cornell University recommends every three years
for most shots but my vet sends me a reminder EVERY year. I don't
respond.


-MIKE

Dave, You have to be careful asking the vet. Vets make a good profit
giving shots and some will recommend more frequent vaccination to
generate more income. Cornell University recommends every three years
for most shots but my vet sends me a reminder EVERY year. I don't
respond.


-MIKE

I assume you're referring to the six monthly program injection for
fleas -IMHO that is not necessary in your situation.
You could keep in some Frontline or Advantage ( buy from the Vet ) and apply
it at the first sign of any Fleas -which you could bring home BTW.
Your cats still need an annual vaccination but only the 'flu & enteritis
one.
Indoor cats are not at risk of Leukaemia so that vaccine is superfluous.

Your vet will tell you you need the six monthly jab -it's a nice earner -
but it doesn't kill fleas - it's to prevent fleas breeding in your home!
Sue


"David Archer" wrote in message
om...
Thanks all for your advice - think I will take them to the vet and
discuss. Better safe than sorry...