Bats and small mammals can make their way into homes and cats are very adept at catching them. If this is the case, then you would need to purchase a quality flea shampoo that is made specifically for cats. Learn more. She doesn't eat birds or rodents, or come into contact with faeces from other animals. Unfortunately, there are … Cat aerobic centres offer climbing, hiding and playing opportunities and can be ideal for indoor cats. First, a cat's lifespan is longer indoors. 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. both seem very healthy. However, this is certainly not the case. She's an indoor cat, except for accompanied daily walks on a cat harness. Only a few of them might be due for vaccinations. If your cat is strictly an indoor cat, does he need to be vaccinated each year for distemper, and rabies? 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. 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. Right? 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. Do this a few days in advance to save stress on the "big day." Here are half-dozen good reasons your veterinarian wants you to keep your cat up-to-date on her vaccinations. It’s one of the most common questions my staff and I are asked at annual exams for indoor cats. After all, there are dangers outside that can shorten his life, like cars, malicious people, and contagious feline illnesses. Advantage® II for Cats. Indoor Cats. It’s logical to think that cats may need their nails clipped, just like humans. She has Frontline every 3 months, and i have no problems. If your cat never leaves the house, is it still necessary to give him or her regular worming treatment? 6 Reasons to Vaccinate. Here's what you need to know to help keep your indoor cat protected from fleas. Personally I do believe that cats are domesticated wild cats and they need to go outside to live a fulfilled life, hunt and socialise. Cats that are kept exclusively indoors live on average at least twice as long as outdoor cats. 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. 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. But Bennett says when it comes down to it, it’s really the connection between owner and pets that helps her cats stay healthy. How Did My Indoor Cat Get Fleas? My question was more about what cats need IN ADDITION TO rabies, if anything. 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. Good question. She does sneak out on occasion, but my dog goes in and out. A good place to keep them is near their bed/a favourite sleeping spot. “No matter how aloof a cat may seem, they do rely on their relationship with you, and not just for food. Do cats really need baths? Of course being indoor cats they do not have access to this unless you actually give it to them. That's a big difference. It certainly made me think about all the aspects of rearing an indoor cat. No, say many experts. 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. why do i need to check a stool sample on my indoor cat? 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: Thanks for this article. Indoor cats should also be vaccinated because the viruses that cause the disease can “hitchhike” into the house on shoes and clothing. Cats need to roam! Do Indoor Cats Need Grass? Collars are primarily intended as an ID, the microchip replaces this. 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. Climbing and resting. 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. i have 2 indoor cats ages 2 and 4. always been indoor cats. And they actually need to eat grass. 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. It is important to create an environment that is enriched, stimulating, and helps supplement what cats normally would get outside. These are the required or recommended vaccines for indoor cats. 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. 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