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Indoor cat goes outside: Rabies, distemper, leukemia shot frequency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female

How often should my cat get The FELINE DISTEMPER COMBO and RABIES shots? She is mostly an INSIDE cat, but she goes outside for 5 minutes everyday, does she need the LEUKEMIA shot?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Barry, BVSc, MRCVS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 10th, 2017

Hi there, if Gabriella is an adult cat, she world need the rabies and fvrcp combo given once, then boostered after 12mths. That second dose would likely be good for 3yrs. If she is a kitten, we recommend boosting the fvrcp every 2-4wks until she's 16wks old. The risk for felv increases if she's ever in contact with other cats eg. If neighbors cats come into your yard, or she goes to a boarding facility. If that is the case, she should get the felv (leukemia) vaccine. After the initial 2 doses, felv should be boosted annually. I hope this helps - I can offer a consult if you would like more specific recommendations.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jeffrey Milner

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Distemper combo and Rabies shots are considered core vaccines and should be boostered yearly. If you are using the old school Rabies Vaccine (not the purevax), it can be boostered every three years. The reason they don't use that one anymore is because it is considered less safe and less effective. As for the leukemia vaccine, if you choose to use it, it must be done so as a calculated risk. Most of the evidence indicates that about 3 / 10000 injections with that vaccine results in a inject site sarcoma (cancerous growth). If you do not believe during those five minutes outside your cat is going to exposed to other cats who could be leukemia positive, I do not believe it is very necessary for her to have it. However, if you have other cats in your home that might be more likely to be exposed and spread to Gabriella, you may want to reconsider. Hope this helps!

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    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 12th, 2017

    I would only recommend the FVRCP vaccine and Rabies for an indoor cat. She won't need the FeLv vaccine since she isn't exposed to other cats. She may need 2 sets of the FVRCP vaccine (if she is an adult cat) or 3 sets (if she is a kitten less than 5 months old) and only 1 Rabies. Best wishes taking care of Sweetie and take care.

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