Last year, my friend Sarah skipped her indoor cat’s vaccine appointment. “She never goes outside,” she told me. “Why does she need shots?” Three months later, her cat caught an upper respiratory infection from a visitor’s shoes. Sarah felt terrible—she had no idea cats need vaccines even when they live indoors.
I talked to my vet about this after watching Sarah’s cat struggle with that infection. Turns out, the question of whether do cats need vaccines every year is more complicated than most people think. Some vaccines are absolutely essential. Others depend on your cat’s lifestyle. But skipping vaccinations altogether? That’s risky no matter where your cat lives.
Let me walk you through what vets actually recommend and why protecting your cat with the right vaccines matters more than you might realize.
Do Cats Need Vaccines?
Yes, cats need vaccines. Period. Whether your cat goes outside or never leaves the living room, certain vaccinations protect against viruses that are highly contagious and potentially deadly.
Vaccines work by teaching your cat’s immune system to recognize and fight off specific diseases. Without that protection, even a small exposure to a virus can turn into a serious health crisis. I learned this watching Sarah’s cat cough and sneeze for weeks because she wasn’t fully vaccinated against common respiratory viruses.
Why vaccines matter:
The viruses these vaccines protect against spread incredibly easily. A cat doesn’t need direct contact with an infected cat to get sick. Viral particles travel on clothing, shoes, and objects we bring into our homes. Indoor cats can still be exposed to these dangers without ever stepping outside.
According to veterinary guidelines from the American Association of Feline Practitioners, core vaccinations should be given to all cats regardless of their lifestyle. This isn’t about being overprotective—it’s about basic disease prevention.
Why Even Indoor Cats Need Vaccines
People always assume indoor cats are safe from everything. That’s just not true.
How Indoor Cats Can Still Be Exposed
Your indoor cat might never hunt mice or fight with strays, but viruses don’t care about your cat’s lifestyle. Here’s how exposure happens:
You bring viruses home. You pet a neighbor’s cat, walk through grass where a sick cat sprayed, or touch a door handle at the vet’s office. Those viral particles hitch a ride on your clothes and shoes straight into your home.
Visitors carry contamination. Your friend who owns three outdoor cats comes over. Her jacket brushed against her cats before she left. Now those viruses are in your living room.
Emergency situations. Your cat escapes through an open door. You need to board your cat during a family emergency. The vet recommends emergency surgery. Suddenly your “always indoor” cat is exposed to environments where diseases spread.
I watched this happen to my neighbor. Her cat had never been outside in 8 years. One day the cat got out and came back with a bite wound. The vet said without current rabies vaccination, they’d need to consider quarantine protocols. It was a nightmare that could have been avoided.
Indoor vs Outdoor Cats – Risk Comparison
| Risk Factor | Indoor Cats | Outdoor Cats |
| Direct contact with infected cats | Low | Very High |
| Exposure through humans/objects | Moderate | High |
| Risk of rabies | Low but possible | High |
| Need for vaccination | Yes – still essential | Yes – absolutely critical |
Outdoor cats face higher risks, no question. But indoor cats still need protection. The viruses that cause feline health problems don’t check whether your cat has outdoor access before infecting them.
Core Vaccines Every Cat Needs
What Is a Core Vaccine?
Core vaccines are recommended for all cats. These protect against diseases that are common, highly contagious, or required by law. Every cat should get these regardless of whether they live indoors or go outside.
FVRCP Combination Vaccine
This is the big one. FVRCP is a combination vaccine that protects against three major diseases in one shot.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus)
This virus causes severe upper respiratory infections in cats. Think sneezing, runny nose, eye discharge—but way worse than a human cold. The feline herpesvirus spreads through direct contact, but also through contaminated surfaces.
Cats infected with herpesvirus often carry it for life. The vaccine protects your cat from getting sick or reduces symptom severity if they’re exposed.
Calicivirus & Panleukopenia
Calicivirus causes another type of upper respiratory infection, plus painful mouth sores. Panleukopenia (also called feline distemper) attacks the intestines and immune system. It’s often fatal, especially in kittens.
The vaccine protects cats from these highly contagious viruses. Without vaccination, exposure to any infected cat—or even just contaminated surfaces—can lead to serious illness.
Rabies Vaccine
The rabies vaccination is required by law in most states. Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and nervous system. It spreads through bites from infected animals.
Even indoor cats need the rabies vaccine. Why? Because bats get into houses. Cats escape. Emergencies happen. Plus, if your unvaccinated cat bites someone, legal consequences are serious.
Rabies vaccine schedule:
- Kittens get their first rabies shot around 12-16 weeks
- Booster one year later
- Then every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine type and local laws
Non-Core (Lifestyle) Vaccines for Cats
What Are Non-Core Vaccines?
Non-core vaccines aren’t necessary for every cat. Your vet recommends these based on your cat’s lifestyle, age, and risk factors.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
The feline leukemia virus weakens the immune system and can cause cancer. It spreads through close contact with infected cats—sharing food bowls, grooming each other, or fighting.
Who needs this vaccine:
Outdoor cats and cats who live with FeLV-positive cats definitely need this protection. For strictly indoor cats with no exposure to other cats, vets may not recommend it. But if you adopt another cat later or your cat ever goes outside, this vaccine becomes important.
According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, all kittens should receive the FeLV vaccine as part of their initial vaccination series, then your vet can reassess based on lifestyle.
Vaccination Schedule for Cats
Kitten Vaccination Schedule
Kittens need a series of vaccines starting around 6-8 weeks old. They get booster shots every 3-4 weeks until they’re about 16 weeks old.
| Age | Vaccines |
| 6-8 weeks | First FVRCP |
| 10-12 weeks | Second FVRCP, FeLV #1 |
| 14-16 weeks | Final FVRCP, FeLV #2, Rabies |
The series of vaccines is crucial. One shot doesn’t provide full protection. Kittens need multiple doses for their immune systems to build strong defenses.
Adult Cat Vaccination Schedule
After the initial vaccinations, adult cats get booster shots to maintain immunity.
Core vaccines:
- FVRCP: Every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine type
- Rabies: Every 1-3 years depending on local laws and vaccine type
Non-core vaccines:
- FeLV: Annually for at-risk cats
Your vet will create a schedule based on your cat’s needs and the specific vaccines they use.
Do Cats Need Vaccines Every Year?
This is where it gets interesting. Not all vaccines need to be given every single year.
Yearly vs Three-Year Vaccines
Some vaccines provide protection for three years, not just one. The rabies vaccine comes in both one-year and three-year versions. Many FVRCP vaccines now last three years after the initial booster series.
So do cats need vaccines every year? It depends on which vaccines we’re talking about.
What Veterinarians Actually Recommend
Most vets follow guidelines that say core vaccinations should be given every three years for adult cats after they’re fully vaccinated as kittens. However, some cats may need more frequent boosters depending on their risk factors.
Factors vets consider:
- Your cat’s age and health status
- Indoor vs outdoor lifestyle
- Contact with other cats
- Local disease prevalence
- Travel or boarding plans
My vet told me my indoor cat doesn’t need yearly FVRCP shots anymore. She gets rabies every three years (as required by our state law) and we reassess her needs at each annual checkup. But if she started going outside or I adopted another cat, that recommendation would change.
Are Cat Vaccines Safe?
Yes, vaccines are safe for the vast majority of cats. Serious reactions are rare.
Common Side Effects
Most cats experience no side effects at all. Some might have:
- Slight fever for 24 hours
- Lethargy for a day or two
- Mild soreness at the injection site
- Temporary decrease in appetite
These resolve on their own within a day or two. They’re signs that your cat’s immune system is responding to the vaccine, which is actually what you want.
When to Call the Vet
Call your veterinarian immediately if your cat shows:
- Severe lethargy lasting more than 24 hours
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Facial swelling
- Collapse or inability to walk
These could indicate a rare allergic reaction that needs immediate treatment.
What Happens If You Don’t Vaccinate Your Cat?
Sarah learned this the hard way. Her unvaccinated cat got sick, needed expensive treatment, and took weeks to recover from something that could have been prevented.
Without vaccines, your cat is vulnerable to diseases that can cause:
- Severe respiratory infections requiring hospitalization
- Life-threatening intestinal disease
- Permanent immune system damage
- Chronic health problems that last a lifetime
Plus, if your cat bites someone and isn’t current on rabies vaccination, you could face legal action and your cat could be quarantined or worse.
Vaccines are essential for keeping your cat healthy and protected. The risks of not vaccinating far outweigh any minor discomfort from the shots.
How to Decide Which Vaccines Your Cat Needs
Factors Vets Consider
Your veterinarian will recommend vaccines based on:
- Your cat’s age (kitten, adult, senior)
- Indoor-only vs outdoor access
- Contact with other cats
- Health status
- Local disease risks
- Legal requirements
Every cat is different. A strictly indoor cat in a single-cat household has different needs than a cat who goes outside or lives with multiple other cats.
Talking to Your Veterinarian
This should be a conversation, not a one-sided lecture. Tell your vet about your cat’s lifestyle. Ask questions about which vaccines are truly necessary and which are optional. Discuss the vaccination schedule that makes sense for your situation.
My vet and I review my cat’s vaccine needs every year during her annual exam. As my cat’s health and lifestyle stay consistent, so does her vaccination plan. But I know that if anything changes, we’ll adjust accordingly.
FAQs About Cat Vaccinations
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes, indoor cats need core vaccines like FVRCP and rabies to protect against viruses they can still be exposed to indoors.
What vaccines do cats need yearly?
After the initial series, most core vaccines are given every three years, though some cats need annual non-core vaccines like FeLV.
How often do cats need rabies shots?
Rabies vaccines are given every 1-3 years depending on local laws and the specific vaccine your vet uses.
Are booster shots necessary?
Yes, booster shots maintain your cat’s immunity against diseases over time after the initial vaccination series.
Conclusion
So do cats need vaccines every year? The answer is nuanced. Core vaccinations protect against serious, highly contagious diseases. After the initial series, many vaccines last three years instead of one. But some cats—especially those with outdoor access or exposure to other cats—may need certain vaccinations more frequently.
What matters most is having an honest conversation with your veterinarian about your cat’s specific needs. Don’t skip vaccines because your cat stays indoors. Indoor cats can still be exposed to dangerous viruses. The vaccines your cat needs depend on their lifestyle, but every cat needs at least core vaccinations to stay safe.
Sarah wishes she’d understood this before her cat got sick. Watching her cat struggle taught both of us that protecting your cat with appropriate vaccinations isn’t optional—it’s one of the most important things you can do as a responsible cat owner.
