Does everyone vaccinate their cats?

Question

mines lasted 6 years so far and is perfectly fine... i now hear everyone saying they vaccinate their cats and that it's necessary...

but because she is fine after so long,being outdoors alot and building up a strong immune system... i feel it would be a waste of money vaccinating her...

is everyone overreacting when they say i should get all these different jabs? be honest thanks

Answer 1

There's a chance that she could catch something and that it wouldn't hurt her but could harm you the next time you touch her. There are some things she'll probably be protected from, yes, but her immune system can't protect her against more serious illnesses, which are the ones that matter. For her safety and your own, I think you should.

Answer 2

My cat is vaccinated. the feline virus's that they are prone to spread like wildfire. also when we go on holiday, we take her to the cattery and she has to be vaccinated for that otherwise they would not accept her and you have to show the vet's certificate to prove that they have been done.  it is also important for your pet to visit the vet for an 'MOT' so to speak to make sure she is in good health.  

Answer 3

There are a lot of people that do not get there cats vaccinated and they are fine, but if everybody thought like that then all the diseases that have been near enough wiped out will soon return and there will be sick cats everywhere.

I know it is expensive but it's a sensible thing to do if you love your cats

Answer 4

NONE of my cats that i have had since childhood have ever been vaccinated, it doesn't even cross my mind to do it when i have got a new kitten.

All my cats have been very much outside cats too (they do come in as and when they want)

I have NEVER had a ill cat, not ever, only one had to visit the vets and that was because he was run over, apart from that they have all been healthy, happy cats.

Answer 5

To be honest my cat hasn't had any vaccinations and she is absolutely fine (she turned 3 the other week)

We have had her neutered though as we didn't want any kittens but that's all

(:

Answer 6

I am now seeing a holistic vet and they do not vax unnecessarily.  They do something called a titer which somehow tells them whether a cat needs a particular vax.  I'm going with their suggestions.

But since your cat is outdoors, you might want to consider it.  At the very least consider the rabies shot.  And perhaps heartworm meds if you've got skeeters around.

I can't make this decision for you.  It's something you need to decide for yourself after you've read up on the pros and cons.

Answer 7

I had a mother and daughter cat for over 13 years and never got them vacinnated.  But my mother cat did end up dying from feline aids.  But a vacine would'nt have changed that.  Save your money.  Also the main problem you might have is if your cat bites or scratches someone.

Answer 8

the only reason we had our cats jabbed was because they were going into a cattery and they have to have been jabbed before they can go in, there are nasty illnesses they can catch whilst in a cattery from other cats,but before that my fella had loads of cats and it would have cost him a fortune so i don't know if he ever bothered before i came on the scene, hope this helps, you know a vet will always tell you its best!

Answer 9

Our cats have always been strictly indoor cats. We chose to get the initial shots as a kitten, but never any more. After reading a lot about the dangers of vaccines in cats, I think we are making the best choice.

But if your cat is allowed outside a lot, I would recommend that you get boosters about every 3 years, not yearly. Your cat has a much higher risk of getting hit by a car, in a fight with another animal, abused by someone who doesn't like cats, etc., if it is an outdoor cat. Your cat would probably stand a much better chance at a healthier and long life if it were kept as an inside only cat.

Answer 10

mine ive had from kittens,they are 15,16 and 17 and never been vacinated in their lives..apart from being spayed they very rarely go to the vets in fact my one cat is 15yrs and 2mths and only went to the vets friday,but had never been since she was spayed at 3 mths..and i had 2 dogs who lived to 15 and 16 yrs and they had never been vacinated.and yes i agree a waste of money..and so are a lot of vet fees just lately,and half the time you take animal 6-12 times before the get the diagnosis  right,and many hundreds of pounds/dollars

Answer 11

I have a cat he is 16 in good condition and never been vaccinated

Answer 12

You are very foolish. Because everyone else is doing the same

thing. Not getting their cats vaccinated. All you need is one cat

to be sick and all you people who have unvaccinated cats will have

dead cats. Their immune system may be strong for somethings but

being outside does not build immunity for distemper, rabies, FLV,

FEV or any respiratory diseases. A friend of mine adopted two

kittens from a local shelter. Within two days of the kittens coming home they got sick.They both had distemper. They both had to be

put down. Not only that be all the cats in the shelter were put down and all the cats that had been adopted since the kittens came to the shelter had to be called back and put down. Vaccinating them after the fact will not help. If your cat gets sick it is very unlikely it will

recover even if you could afford the vet bills. You are not wasting money you are investing in your pet's health. Please have your

animal vaccinated. For your information the current jabs now last

for three years not just one so it will not be as big an expense as you think to keep up with their jabs.  

Answer 13

I dont vaccinate mine and the eldest is 22!!!! Had no problems so far.  

Answer 14

Yes my cat has been vaccinated, she was vaccinated before i had her the breeder vaccinated her so i picked her up the day after she had her final vaccination. Even if she hadn't come vaccinated, I'd have taken her to be done. As are my rabbits and dog.

She may be fine right now, but you never know. After all, isn't it better to be safe then sorry?  It only takes ONE sick cat to wipe out many more.

Also, i assume you have had your jabs right? Were the a waste of money too?

Answer 15

Yes

Answer 16

my mom has a cat that's 14 years old and he's never been vaccinated.

the only vaccines my kitten is getting is the distemper vaccine and leukemia vaccine.

if they HAVE to have a vaccine later then they will get it, but if it is not necessary and my kitten is healthy (and she is) then she doesn't need them.

Answer 17

I think a lot of people are over vaccinating their cats. I strongly believe that the first shots are enough and will protect them for the rest of their lives.

My kittens and cats have received all of their first shots. The only booster shot they're going to receive is the rabies shot because I think it's required by law in my state.

Here are some interesting articles about pet vaccinations.

http://www.blakkatz.com/vaccination.html

http://www.holisticat.com/vaccinations.h...

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac...

Answer 18

My dog became sick and died after his annual booster.

Friends of mine that only had the puppy jabs and then none after that have had their dogs live a long and happy lives.

This is a subject i am really really concerned about. My remaining dog is now due for his annual booster but to be honest i am frightened of getting it done.

Search the web, put 'over-vaccination'into your search box and see what comes up, i can promise you it will freak you out, like it did me.

Answer 19

i dnt vacinate my cats..and theyre perfectly fine