Essential Vaccinations for Your Ragdoll Cat: A Comprehensive Guide

Vaccinations and Ragdoll Cats

Originally published May 28, 2015 – but I continue to get this question, so we’re having it again.

Update August 27, 2017 – Please see our interview with Dr. Jean Hofve here or listen to the audio of it below in this YouTube video:

A reader recently asked me about vaccinations and wondered if we could have a discussion on the blog.  I thought it was a great idea.

So, What Vaccinations Have You Given Your Ragdoll Cat and why?

I usually ask people inquring to read this article by Dr. Jean Hofve – Vaccines for Cats

I do give my cats Rabies shots and my mom does too – specifically, Purevax, by Merial. I don’t have them get it as often as they used to since they are 7. I used to do it every year and now I might go 1.5 years. My mom’s cats are 12, so they will probably stop getting it soon as titers build up. It’s still required by law that they have it yearly, but if I feel they’re protected from rabies, then we’re good.

My vet actually puts a different vaccination in each leg – I don’t recall the specifics – but they have a specific leg for Rabies, for example. So if that leg gets a tumor, then they know it was a rabies vaccine that caused it. They do this based on the AAFP Standards found here.

There was a discussion some time ago on Facebook where a reader asked a similar question and that discussion can be found here.

Please let us know what you do and why.

Some things to consider in your response:

• killed vs. modified live and your experience
• no vaccines at all?
• Rabies for people in the USA and where it’s required by law