Essential Cat Vaccinations

When it comes to protecting your cat’s health, vaccinations play a vital role – even if your cat never sets paw outside. Many serious feline diseases are highly contagious and don’t require outdoor access to pose a risk. Understanding why vaccination still matters can help you make confident decisions about your cat’s care.

Why protection still matters

It’s one of the most common questions we’re asked: "My cat never goes outside… do they really need vaccinations?" The short answer? Yes. Even indoor cats benefit from vaccination – and here’s why.

Why indoor cats still need protection

It’s easy to assume that staying indoors means staying safe. But some viruses are incredibly hardy and highly contagious. They can enter your home through:

• Shoes and clothing

• Visitors

• Open windows

• Other pets in the household

Some feline viruses can survive in the environment for long periods, meaning your cat doesn’t need direct contact with another cat to be at risk. Vaccination provides an important layer of protection.

Core vaccinations for cats

Core vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including:

• Feline panleukopenia

• Feline herpesvirus (cat flu)

• Feline calicivirus

If your cat goes outdoors or mixes with other cats, we may also recommend protection against feline leukaemia virus (FeLV).

We’ll always tailor recommendations based on your cat’s lifestyle and individual risk.

Kittens and booster vaccinations

Kittens need an initial course of vaccinations to build immunity, followed by regular boosters to maintain protection. If boosters are delayed or missed, immunity can gradually reduce – which means your cat may no longer be fully protected.

If you’re unsure where your cat is up to, we’re always happy to check their records and advise.

Vaccination visits are health checks too

A vaccination appointment isn’t just about an injection. Each visit includes a full clinical examination, giving us the opportunity to:

• Monitor weight and body condition

• Check teeth and gums

• Listen to heart and lungs

• Examine eyes, ears and skin

• Discuss diet or behaviour concerns

For indoor cats especially, these annual checks are incredibly valuable – they allow us to spot subtle changes early.

Need advice?

Not sure if your cat’s vaccinations are up to date? Recently adopted a kitten? Unsure what your indoor cat actually needs? Call us on 01689 477747 or book an appointment and we’ll be happy to guide you.

We’ll tailor everything to your cat – no unnecessary treatments, just sensible protection.

Quick tips:

• Indoor cats still need core vaccinations

• Keep booster appointments up to date

• Bring your cat’s vaccination card to each visit

• Let us know if your cat’s lifestyle changes

• Use vaccination visits to raise any health concerns