Is it safe to vaccinate my 9-year-old cat when getting a new kitten?

Don't apologize, I'm glad to answer your questions! Studies have shown that cats on a renal diet live on average of two years longer than cats who also have chronic kidney disease but aren't on a renal diet. So you are doing the right thing by feeding Smokey this diet. You can give him the vaccine, it will not effect his kidneys. Water intake should never be less. It's important for him to drink plenty of water so he does not dehydrate. I recommend getting a pet water fountain for him. It provides a continuous source of fresh water, and encourages pets to drink. I have one for my cats, and they love it. I hope this helps!

I would worry a little more about the new kitten passing on diseases to the older cat - viral upper respiratory infections in particular are common. I'd recommend vaccinating both cats with the FVRCP combo and rabies vaccines. If the cats are going to continue to be outdoors then the FeLV vaccine would also be recommended, and I actually usually recommend vaccinating all kittens for FeLV since you never know if their lifestyle might change.

I can understand your concern. Vaccine reactions in pets can’t be predicted and is pretty uncommon, with less than 5% of pets having them and even less so in cats. It is necessary in this situation to get Kiski vaccinated so it is best to start the process with your vet. You could also request that he get a pre-vaccination shot to help reduce his chances of a reaction even further. Ask your vet about this when you schedule your appointment or get his immunizations started. And lastly the latest studies suggest that getting all the vaccine done at once instead of spreading them out, reduces the chances of a reaction occurring because you are not challenging the body’s immune system multiple times versus once or twice, if boosters are needed. I hope that things go well for your pet Kiski moving forward. Take care. : )

Hello, chronic rhinitis and stomatitis tend to be from inflammatory autoimmune disease. However, some infectious organisms may cause this as well. In general, you kitten as an older cat may have adequate immunity against the viruses which she was vaccinated for. One way to prove this would be to check her titers. Make sure that the cat you are adopting is FeLV/FIV negative as these can still be transmitted to Mittens and significantly affect her quality of life. Once you have confirmed the adequate immune status of both cats either through titer testing or vaccination, then you may then introduce them slowly for the best success. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Because Jiji hasn't been vaccinated before, she will need at least two rounds of vaccines given four weeks apart in order to have full immunity. Vaccinating her on Monday will not be enough to protect her. Make sure your dad fully cleans the room, and bring your own food and water bowls as well as litter box so that she doesn't share anything with his cat. Keep your kitten in the room, and allow her to have no contact with the other cat. I do recommend getting her vaccinated, so have her seen by the vet on Monday to start the process. Best of luck!

This is great. I would freshen up your Angora cat's vaccination and when you adopt your new kitten, make sure it is examined, wormed and vaccinated by your veterinarian. All should be well then. Oh, and there will be a lot of hissing and spitting....do not despair. It will take time but eventually they will at least tolerate each other or even like each other. Make sure you give your older kitty just as much loving as up to now so she does not feel neglected.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I do NOT recommend vaccinating a kitten who seems anything other than healthy. If Brittany has an infection or depressed immune system, she may not be able to mount a proper response to the vaccine so it may not be worth doing. Or worse, it could be more than her immune system can handle at this point and it could make her feel even worse. Save yourself the trouble and wait until Brittany is feeling 100%. Best of luck to you and Brittany!