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Do indoor cats need yearly FVRCP and Rabies vaccines, and how often?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 11 lbs

Should vaccinations such as the FVRCP vaccine and Rabies be given to indoor cats continuously each year or could there be a gap? Also I was told in a previous response that Sweetie "may need 2 sets of the FVRCP vaccine (if she is an adult cat)" does that mean two sets/doses of the FVRCP annually or in her lifetime?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on July 12th, 2017

FVRCP is given every year. but if your cat is strictly an indoor cat without any contact with the outside it's your choice if you want to have her vaccinated or not as the chances of catching any of the disease covered by the vaccination are very slim. same thing goes with Rabies vaccination of course. if you chose to have the vaccination done, she will need two injection the first year and after that only one injection each year.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 20th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The FVRCP vaccine can be given every 3 years after the booster around 1 1/2 years of age. I feel giving that annually is too much. The rabies is required by law and how long it lasts depends on the brand your vet uses. There are 3 year rabies vaccines available for cats. The PuteVax is just more expensive. Cats only receive those 2 vaccines. I do not think the leukemia vaccine is necessary for indoor cats. But that is yearly. There aren’t any available titers for feline rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia or calici virus. We do have titers for canine distemper and parvo virus. I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 8th, 2017

    All cats are required by law to have a current rabies vaccine. Some rabies vaccines last for 3 years and some for 1 year. I am guessing he is due for a booster since this would be his second dose. If you are unsure than you could call the vet who administered the vaccine last year to see if he is due for a booster. It is also recommend to have a Feline distemper combination vaccination which lasts for a year the first series and then every 3 years after.

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    Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 26th, 2018

    There are different Rabies vaccines for cats so when she needs a booster depends on which vaccine was used. All cats need a booster 1 year after the first Rabies vaccine was given but the boosters after that are either every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine that is used. You should have a rabies certificate that indicates the date she needs a booster. By law, Rabies is the only vaccine that is mandatory but the FVRCP is a core vaccine that is also recommended for indoor cats. It needs a booster 1 year after the first series is complete and then a booster every 3 years.

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