Your pet cat is not just your friend, but a family member. Pets provide us unconditional love & companionship. They are inseparable parts of our lives. So, it’s essential that we, in turn, take optimum care of them. And one very important way of doing that for your cat is to provide suitable vaccination for your cat.
You would need to be in regular consultation for the vaccination details of your pet cat. Usually, two types of vaccines are available – core & non-core. Every pet requires the core vaccines, without exceptions. As for the non-core vaccines, your vet might suggest that if your cat needs that specifically, based on its lifestyle. E.g. if it spends too much time outdoors compared to that in the house. Instances of non-core vaccines are those for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Chlamydia felis and Bordetellabronchiseptica.
Benefits of Getting Your Cat Vaccinated
- Protects the cat from several infectious diseases like enteritis (feline panleukopaenia) and cat flu (feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus).
- Vaccinated cats stay immune against diseases or build up enough resistance so that the disease doesn’t cause much damage.
- Humans coming into contact with these vaccinated cats are also much less likely to fall prey to any disease.
- A vaccinated pet cat will also save you from possible future expenses. To get an unvaccinated cat treated for any acquired disease, you would need to spend a good amount of money on it. But with vaccination, this possibility is almost eliminated.
In certain cases, it might be a legal requirement to get your cat vaccinated, e.g. against the rabies disease. Rabies pose a threat to humans as well and they also spread very fast. But you should not vaccinate your pet cat simply because it’s a legal need. It’s the love and concern for your pet that should make you go for its vaccination.
How Necessary Are Cat & Kitten Vaccinations?
The answer is – very necessary. Suitable & timely vaccinations are extremely important to ensure the good health, vitality, and longevity of your pet cat. It has been proven time & again that these vaccines act as guards against a host of dangerous feline diseases. So, get your cat vaccinated and enjoy your time with a disease-free, healthy, loyal companion.
What Are the Possible Risk Factors Associated with the Vaccinations?
Just like there are some mild risks associated when we humans get injected medically, cats are also prone to it. The boost that the cat’s immunity system gets from the shots can cause some soreness and pain at the injection site. It can cause fever & some allergic reactions, though mild. The cat might lose appetite for a day or two and also appear lethargic.
However, these conditions are temporary and don’t pose any threat to the cat’s overall health & vitality. In very rare cases, the cat might suffer from injection site tumors. But the benefits of vaccinations are much more and long-term, compared to the possible short-term negative effects. So, don’t let the fear of side effects deter you from getting your cat vaccinated.
Side Effects to Watch Out for
As already discussed above, there might be some temporary & mild side-effects of the vaccination that the cat might display. Do keep a watch on your cat for the following side effects without getting unduly alarmed.
- Lethargic behavior
- Mild to (rarely) high fever
- Diarrhea
- Drop in appetite
- Occasional vomiting
- Injection site swelling
In case any of these side effects are persisting for several days, do contact your vet. There are medications available for all of these effects. In no time, your cat will be back to its earlier bouncy self!
The Schedule for Kitten & Cat Vaccinations
As soon as you get hold of your pet kitten, schedule a meeting with your vet. Spend some good time there to get your initial doubts clarified and questions answered. Let your vet work out a schedule for you regarding flea control, deworming, and the required vaccinations. Once the kitten vaccinations are done with, a year’s gap is provided before the adult cat vaccinations start. And do follow the schedule without fail.
Schedule for Kitten Vaccination
Age of the Kitten Vaccine Needed
- 6 to 10 weeks FVRCP (feline distemper)
- 11 to 14 weeks FVRCP (feline distemper), FeLV (feline leukemia)
- More than 15 weeks FVRCP (feline distemper), FeLV (feline leukemia), rabies vaccine
Schedule for Adult Cat Vaccination:
The cat vaccinations will start a year after the kitten vaccinations are completed. The vaccines that the adult cat would require are Combination Vaccine FVRCP (includes feline distemper, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus), FeLV (to protect cats from feline leukemia virus that might infect them outdoors), and rabies.
The scheduling would also depend on the cat’s general health, record of any hereditary disease, breed, age, and its living conditions. Based on these parameters, your vet will draw up the vaccination schedule. Follow that diligently to ensure your pet cat enjoys a long & healthy life as your close companion.