Vaccinations

[purpleme12]

My cat is indoor and has had vaccinations in the past but isn't up to date. Hasn't been having her boosters. Because she's indoor.

We seem to have acquired another cat...
Who is used to being outside so needs to be able to go outside. This cat has been vaccinated

My indoor one will be staying indoor. Should I get her vaccinated as well? Does she just need boosters rather than starting again as she's just indoor? Or will they even do that or will they just say you have to start from scratch?

If you want her vaccinated then yes, they will have to start from scratch again.

Personally I wouldn't want to take the risk that she doesn't decide to follow the new cat outside to see what this big wide world is all about, and trying to keep one in when the other goes out would a) be a nightmare and b) not fair on the cats.

I'm getting a microchip cat flap so only the new cat can go outside so there won't be any danger of her going outside.

Do you still think my indoor cat needs vaccinating in this situation?

I’d be worried that the outdoor cat would bring germs in that didn’t bother her, being vaccinated, but which the indoor cat would be vulnerable to.

Bear in mind that if you ever need to put your cats in a cattery, they'll need up to date vaccination cards (and vaccination is needed in a cattery, one of mine picked up a virus in the cattery - he was vaccinated against all the serious illnesses but it illustrates how easily things can be passed on).

I always use a cat sitter

Which works as long as you don't foresee any situations where your cats would need to be out of your house - house move, renovations for example.

Not sure why you're so dead against having your indoor cat vaccinated? It's a very minor thing, and to help keep the cost down (if that's your concern) you can try to time things so her annual boosters are tied in with her annual MoT - that's what I've always done with my indoor only cats.

I'm not dead set against vaccinating her

I'm not sure what makes you think I'm dead set against it

I would definitely get existing cat up to date with her vaccinations. You'll also need to flea and worm treat both. Plus, be prepared for existing cat to follow new cat outside...