When it comes to indoor animals, such as cats and dogs, many will believe that their level of risk in terms of infectious diseases is quite low, and that they probably do not need to be vaccinated. Hospital Veterinari Glòries disagrees. In fact, there are some pretty compelling reasons why pet vaccinations are important, even for pets that are less likely to go outdoors. Read on to find out just how vital they are!
Why is it so important to vaccinate our pets?
Even in the bubble of your home, your pets need protection. We have some very good reasons for this:
- It’s the law: Spain makes no exceptions when it comes to rabies vaccinations for pets: pets must be vaccinated. The laws of our country require that all dogs and cats are properly vaccinated against rabies, preferably before adulthood, and that the vaccine is maintained throughout the animal’s life. Unvaccinated pets are subject to fines, quarantine or even euthanasia in specific situations.
- Nothing is safe: even pets that should be indoors sometimes end up outdoors. An animal that runs away when frightened, a window that is accidentally left ajar, or a tragic house fire can lead to our furry companions finding themselves outdoors. Owners also often tend to underestimate their pets’ risk of infectious diseases. Most dogs go out every day, while many cats are exposed to other cats and animals if they are often going in and out of the house.
- Other animals that sneak into the house: High-risk situations, such as a bat or rat sneaking into your home, can put your furry friend at unnecessary risk. Sometimes humans also unknowingly expose our pets by bringing in a kitten in need or a stray in need of help.
- The risk is too high: most of the diseases we vaccinate animals against are quite serious. The benefits of vaccinating your pet far outweigh the risks. Some pet vaccines also protect your family, as diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis are zoonotic (transmissible to people).
Do you have an animal at home? Vaccinate it!
Not all pets are at the same risk and not all pets need the same things. Some indoor pet vaccines, such as the rabies vaccine, are generally recommended for all animals. Others are only necessary for those at higher risk.
Our veterinary experts will assess each pet’s general health status, risk factors and environment to determine which vaccines are most appropriate.
Core vaccines, such as rabies and combination vaccines for dogs against distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus, or feline distemper combination vaccines, are often recommended for most pets.
Other vaccines, such as those against feline leukaemia virus or canine infectious diseases such as canine influenza, tend to be more risk-based for each population.
As part of caring for your pet’s wellbeing, we will discuss these recommendations. You can also contact us at any time if you have questions. We want your furry friend to be as healthy and happy as possible. Vaccinations for indoor pets may not seem that important, but we promise there are some very good reasons why we recommend them.