How long can a cat take a bath after getting a vaccine?

Usually, a cat can take a bath 7 days after getting a vaccine. This is because the cat's immunity decreases after receiving the vaccine, and there are needle holes on the skin. If the cat takes a bath immediately after getting the vaccine, it may get sick or develop skin infections. Therefore, it is recommended to wait for about a week before bathing the cat after vaccination. Also, care should be taken to prevent the cat from catching a cold after bathing.

Why do cats need to get vaccinated?

When a kitten is born, it receives maternal antibodies from breast milk, which gradually disappear after weaning. To protect the kitten from viral infections, we should vaccinate it at age 8 weeks to enhance its resistance. Feline distemper, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline cough are common and highly dangerous diseases to cats. Therefore, the vaccines for these three viruses are also known as core vaccines, which are essential shots that must be given.

How to give a cat a vaccine injection

If a cat is getting its first vaccine, it needs to be injected with a combined vaccine to prevent feline infectious diseases once every 21 days, a total of three times. When the cat is four months old, it can receive its first rabies vaccine. For annual vaccinations, cats need to wait 11 months after the last injection to receive a combined vaccine and a rabies vaccine. Ensure that the cat is in good health before vaccination, as sick cats cannot be vaccinated.

What to watch out for after a cat gets vaccinated

Do not bathe the cat within seven days, reduce outdoor activities, and do not feed it anything other than its regular food. After the vaccination, small bumps may appear on the skin, and occasionally, some pets may experience allergic reactions. Therefore, it is necessary to stay at the hospital for observation for 30 minutes after the vaccination to ensure everything is okay before leaving. If the cat seems lethargic, loses its appetite, or has diarrhea and vomiting within two days after returning home, it's normal. If the condition persists for more than two days, consult a veterinarian. Additionally, although the cat is in a high state of prevention after vaccination, it is not completely immune to infectious diseases.