Vaccinating is a vital part of preventive care for all pets, including your senior cat! Routine vaccinations provide protection against several highly contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases, helping to safeguard your pet’s long-term health and well-being. Some diseases like rabies can even transfer from your cat to humans, so vaccinating protects you and your family as well. Most states require this by law as it is a fatal, incurable disease. Cats 11 years and older are considered to be in their senior years. (Think about humans 56 years and older.) They may have less energy, joint or mobility issues, and require more tender love and care. So keeping their vaccines up to date is vital to make sure they’re supported and protected from harm’s way.
What Vaccines Are Required for My Senior Cat?*
For senior cats, there is a set of core vaccines that are recommended no matter where they live or what they do daily. These include:
VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR SENIOR CATS
Like many human vaccines, some cat vaccines require boosters throughout life to help keep them protected. The recommended schedule of senior cat boosters for both core and lifestyle-based vaccinations is outlined below.
FVRCP VACCINE (FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS ‘FVR,’ CALICIVIRUS, AND PANLEUKOPENIA)
Panleukopenia is a highly contagious virus with no cure and low-survival rate in cats. Calicivirus and Rhinotracheitis cause most feline upper respiratory infections and are extremely contagious to other cats.
RABIES VACCINE
Rabies virus is typically transmitted to cats through a bite from an infected animal. Across the US, animals most often infected include raccoons, skunks, and bats—all creatures your cat may like to hunt or play with if found outdoors. Plus, bats can make their way indoors. Since it is one of the few life-threatening diseases that pets can transmit to humans, most states and/or county codes require all cats to be vaccinated against rabies by law.
What Other Vaccines Does My Cat Need Annually?
While the FVRCP and Rabies vaccines are recommended for all cats, the FeLV vaccine is considered a non-core vaccine or lifestyle vaccine for senior cats, based on age, home location, daily activities, and frequency of contact with other animals. Discuss these factors with your veterinarian to see if the FeLV vaccination is suitable for your cat.
FeLV VACCINE (FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS)
Feline Leukemia is an incurable disease, occurring by itself or in combination with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a deadly AIDS-like virus. It is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids from an infected cat, including bite wounds. It can also be transferred from mother to newborn and through cats sharing bowls.
*Vaccine requirements and schedules can vary by state and by individual pet needs. Your veterinarian stays up to date on local regulations and medical guidelines and can recommend the right vaccines and timing for your pet.
