As a pet owner, one of your first responsibilities is to get your four-legged friend vaccinated on schedule. Cat vaccines protect pets against fatal and infectious feline diseases, keeping them healthy and living longer.
While cat vaccinations generally have no serious side effects, some people report changes in their pooch’s behavior after getting vaccinated. Let us try to understand whether it is normal for your cat to act strangely after getting a shot. We also discuss common cat vaccination concerns to help pet owners determine what they should expect.
Cat Acting Strange After Vaccination? Here’s What It Means
There are some risks and side effects associated with cat vaccination. It is normal for your cat to experience mild symptoms ranging from soreness at the site of injection to fever, lethargy and allergic reactions. The effects are similar to human babies who become lethargic, cranky and even get fever after getting their shots.
Owners should not get concerned if their cat starts acting strange after vaccination. Commonly, your feline friend reacts to these side effects of vaccination with a strange behavior that may concern you. Such reactions can occur almost every time the cat gets a shot. This should go away on its own in 2-3 days as the symptoms ease.
Cat Behavior After Vaccination – A Complete Guide
Vaccines are medication and like other medical treatments, have their own potential adverse effects. As the cat receives its shot, its body starts adapting to the vaccine, causing some changes in the body and function. While most cats behave normally after vaccination, it is common to see some changes in behavior of your feline friend for a few hours once it gets its vaccine shot.
Some pet owners report a temporary change in the behavior or personality of the cat after vaccination. The cat can behave strangely, get aggressive, show lethargy or refuse to eat. The most commonly reported problem in cats is sleeping. Most cats want to sleep for a few hours after getting their shot. They should be left alone to rest and you should see improvement in their condition in a few hours.
Vaccination causes a chemical reaction in the cat’s brain that lasts 24-48 hours. Some owners report that their cats never remained the same after vaccination. Though rare, your cat may undergo a complete personality change. You should note all the changes you see in the cat’s behavior and find the pattern. You can seek guidance and advice from your vet regarding such behavioral transformation.
Cat Not Eating After Vaccination?
Many pet owners report their cats not eating after getting their vaccines. Loss of appetite is a common side effect of vaccination in cats. If your cat refuses to eat after getting a shot, you should not worry about it. This behavior can last for about a day and your pet should start eating in few hours. A cat that does not eat for more than 24 hours is a matter of concern.
Try to assess the cat’s condition if it is not eating. Find whether it does not have an appetite or it is not willing to walk to its bowl. It is possible that it has little energy to walk to the bowl after vaccination. This is more likely for older cats with arthritis or joint pain. You can try feeding the cat to see if it helps. If the cat has not eaten for over a day or it has other symptoms like fever or pain, you should consult the vet to see what is wrong.
Cat Shivering After Vaccination
Many cats experience mild side effects after vaccination like fever, lethargy, swelling and reduced energy. These symptoms are common and should subside independently in a few hours. If you see your cat shivering after vaccination, it can be from the pain or swelling at the injection site. However, if you see any severe reactions like swollen eyes or face, breathing difficulty, diarrhea or collapse, you should report to the veterinarian.
Your vet should examine the cat to determine whether it has developed a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine. These reactions are generally treated with antihistamines and steroids. Sometimes, the pet may even need further observation or other treatments. If your cat does not show any such severe symptoms, you can wait for a few hours to see if it stops shivering. You can try comforting it with some food or drink to alleviate the pain or discomfort associated with vaccination.
Do Cats Feel ill After Vaccinations?
Like any other medical treatment, vaccinations have their risks and adverse effects. It is common for cats to experience mild reactions like lethargy, slight fever, localized swelling and reduced appetite in a few hours after getting the shot. These effects should subside in a few hours or days. Not all cats experience these problems after vaccination. However, it is normal for cats to feel ill for a few hours or days after vaccination.
As a cat receives a shot, its immune system responds to the antibodies, causing it to look sick and uneasy. However, it is not a concern if the cat gets better with time and recovers in a few hours. These side effects are short-term and should subside on their own. You should call the vet for advice if your cat feels ill after 48 hours of vaccination.