For the Love of Vets

Should Your Cat Get A Rabies Vaccine Even If They Never Go Outside?

6 December 2021

Erin Steeves

If you're caring for an indoor cat, you may be curious if there's really any point in getting your cat vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is only transmitted from animal to animal, either through bites or other shared bodily fluids. If a cat is indoors all the time, there's no risk, right? Unfortunately, the reality is that your cat could still be in danger. Here's why you should consider getting their rabies shot.

The Risk of Death

It can't be overstated that rabies is an extremely dangerous disease. Despite all the advances that modern medicine and science have made, there is no known way to recover from rabies once symptoms begin. At that point, the body and nervous system are so badly damaged by the disease that death follows shortly after. It's a terrible disease and one that should be avoided at all costs. Seeing a cat get it can be horrifying for the pet owner, and at that point, the only thing to do is agree to have the cat put down to prevent it from suffering further.

Getting In 

Many people think that if a cat is indoors, they're safe from diseases and other kinds of harm that other animals can potentially cause. However, this isn't necessarily true. Unless you're living in an extraordinarily secured home, it's always possible for an animal to get into your house. Raccoons often get into crawlspaces and under roofs and can potentially be rabies carriers. Even something as tiny as a small bat flying into your home could potentially carry this disease. Once an infected creature is in your home, your cat's risk of being harmed goes up dramatically, whether they're attacked or decide to hunt the animal themselves.

Getting Out

While keeping your cat indoors can greatly improve their safety and help to extend their lifespan, it's not always foolproof. Cats are sneaky, agile, and curious about the outdoors. It's quite common for cats to manage to escape homes, leading to pet parents being frantic and worried for their cats.

While it's not something you'd want to have happen, there's always a possibility of your cat escaping. A door opening unexpectedly, a major disaster, or even a broken window could let your cat escape. While worrying about getting them home is hard enough, if your cat has been vaccinated, you can at least rest easy knowing that they're protected against dangerous diseases while they're among other animals.

For more information, contact a veterinarian or pet hospital in your area, such as Angel Pet Hospital.

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