Do Indoor Cats Need Rabies Shots?

Rabies vaccination is an important and required vaccine for all cats. A common misconception is that indoor cats are not required to maintain updated vaccines as they do not have exposure to the outdoors or other animals. In fact, rabies vaccinations are required by law in all felines.

What vaccinations do indoor cats need?

Vaccines for Indoor Cats

There are two primary vaccinations your indoor kitty will need to stay healthy throughout her life: the rabies vaccine and the combination vaccine FVRCP—this vaccine protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (feline herpes), Panleukopenia virus (feline distemper) and Calicivirus.

Do cats need to be vaccinated if they are indoor cats?

Indoor cats may not need the same vaccines as outdoor cats, for example, because the risk of exposure to specific illnesses is minimal indoors. That said, these are the core vaccinations typically recommended for all cats: Panleukopenia.