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Is it safe for my unvaccinated kitten to be near an outdoor cat?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Siamese | Female | 1 month and 29 days old

I have an 8 week old kitten, she hasn’t had vaccines yet.. my daughter has a 6 month old kitten unvaccinated.. I’m trying to keep her cat from using my kittens litter box.. I’m mainly scared bc her cat keeps getting outside and coming back home.. Am I being over protective?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 15th, 2018

It's not the litter box sharing that I would be worried about. It is the direct contact between the two cats that would make me nervous. He could transmit to her any number of diseases: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, herpes virus, panleukopenia, feline leukemia, FIV, etc..........The most Ivy would "get" from the other cat by sharing the litter box would be roundworms or hookworms and chances are she already has those. Both cats need to be dewormed and vaccinated as soon as possible. Ivy is old enough now and the other cat is way overdue. You can check VETCO clinics in your area and get them both in for vaccines and deworming ASAP. VETCO operates out of Petco clinics across the country. Here is a link to their website. https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/?zip=60901 Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    No you aren’t being over protective. The unvaccinated kitty should not be allowed to go outside to protect not only your cat but herself. This is not a good idea to continue to allow this to happen. Especially since most viruses are very easily spread and if the cat isn’t altered it is even more at risk of coming into contact with another cat outside. I not only wouldn’t allow to share literboxes bj to would also not allow them to live together at all or come into Direct or indirect contact until both cats are fully vaccinated.

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