Does my cat still need flea/worm medication and vaccinations?

[BlueFrenchHorn]

He's a 100% indoor cat. We've let him go out in the garden but he hates it meows at the door and ends up running in and hiding under the table.

He has a very nervous disposition and over grooms. He's a rescue cat and has always done this. The vet is aware and there's nothing we can do.

He never goes out - does he still need defleaing and up to date vaccinations etc?

[mrsnec]

I think I still would. But we live in a rural area and I would worry about us bringing something in. We were quite naive and didn't at first even though she goes outside but never too far. We nearly lost her to a blood infection from a tick and it was devastating.I'd say you can't be too careful shes fully protected now.

[cozietoesie]

Certainly does. (Although slightly less frequent worming, perhaps, than an outdoor cat because - unless you have mice and rats etc - he won't be catching prey with all the consequences.) Houses are not a sealed environment so all sorts could be brought in.

When he gets his shots though, tell the vet that he's an indoor cat and she won't need to give him the jab that covers for FeLV I think it is. (I'm always getting it wrong.) That comes, as I understand it, largely from fighting contact with infected cats so no need for it if he would never meet one.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Cozie is right you should still have flu vaccination as people can carry that on their clothes, but not FeLV. Yes I would keep up flea and worm treatments as there are some bizarre and interesting studies that look at indoor cats encounters with vermin and it is far higher than any of us imagine.