Author Celine Mazzella
Being the owner of an indoor-only cat has its advantages. As an indoor-cat owner, you do not need to worry about your pet contracting diseases from other fury friends that they may meet during their time outside. You may ask “if my cat lives indoors, why would I need to give him or her a rabies vaccination?” There are a few reasons why a rabies vaccination is so important, even for your indoor-only companion.
Outside critters may find a way into your home.
Cats are natural hunters. It is not uncommon for wild animals that most carry rabies in the United States such as bats, to break into your home. Sometimes an indoor cat can also get outside and meet a skunk, racoon, or fox which are also carriers of the rabies virus. Whether one of these furry friends enter your home or your beloved pet finds a way out, it is always better to be safe and have your indoor pet vaccinated.
There is no cure for rabies.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease. Once potentially exposed to rabies, a vaccinated pet will have to receive a booster vaccination and go through a quarantine. If a pet is unvaccinated and has potential exposure to rabies, the health department may recommend euthanasia. The only way to confirm a rabies diagnosis is to send *trigger alert* your cats head to the laboratory.
Some Facts:
- Our region has a high number of cases of cats exposing owners to rabies.
- In New York State from January of 2008 to December of 2020, 13,915 owned and wild cats were submitted for rabies testing.
- Throughout this testing, 314 cats tested positive.
- 81% of these positive cats had contact with a human.
Rabies vaccinations are required by law.
Vaccination protocol for rabies varies by state, but most states require rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. In New York State, the law requires all owners of dogs, cats and ferrets to get their pet’s first rabies vaccination by 4 months of age, have their pet vaccinated again no later than 1-year after their initial vaccination, and to maintain their pet’s rabies vaccination status with no lapse in coverage from year-to-year.
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