A chart comparing treatment picks and the pests they help fight, conceptually adapted for cats and flea types.
Source: Wirecutter Staff (conceptually adapted for cats)
Our Pick: Revolution Plus for Cats
A box of Revolution Plus for Cats, representing a leading flea medication for felines.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh (representative image)
Top pick
Revolution Plus for Cats
Comprehensive parasite protection for your cat
This monthly, prescription-required topical solution offers broad-spectrum defense against common feline parasites, including fleas, ticks, heartworms, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms. It’s a powerful option for keeping your cat healthy and pest-free.
Buying Options
$ Varies by veterinarian
Revolution Plus for Cats is a once-a-month topical treatment renowned for delivering the most comprehensive protection at a competitive price point. It effectively eliminates fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, and treats ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms—all through a single, easy-to-apply dose. It is safe for kittens as young as 8 weeks old and weighing at least 2.8 pounds.
Revolution Plus stands out as one of the few products available that utilizes two active ingredients to combat a wide array of parasites in cats. This dual-action formula ensures robust protection, making it a top recommendation from veterinarians.
The primary active ingredient is selamectin, a broad-spectrum parasiticide effective against heartworms, fleas, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms. The second key ingredient is sarolaner (an isoxazoline, similar to those used in canine treatments but specifically formulated for feline safety), which targets fleas and ticks. Sarolaner disrupts the nervous system of these external parasites, leading to their rapid elimination. Regular use of Revolution Plus can also help manage flea infestations in the home, especially when all pets in the household are consistently treated, according to veterinary parasitologists.
Revolution Plus is effective against multiple tick species commonly found on cats, including the black-legged tick (deer tick), a significant vector for Lyme disease. However, it’s important to note that while Revolution Plus offers excellent broad-spectrum protection, its coverage may vary against less common tick species.
For cat owners seeking a balance of comprehensive parasite control and ease of use, Revolution Plus is a leading choice. It’s generally available in packs of 3 or 6 doses, offering cost savings for larger purchases. It is crucial to obtain Revolution Plus through a veterinarian as it requires a prescription. Dosage is determined by your cat’s weight, and your vet will ensure you receive the correct product. The topical solution is applied to the skin on the back of the neck, making it easy to administer.
Kills or repels:
- Fleas (adults, eggs, and larvae)
- Black-legged tick (deer tick)
- Brown dog tick (less common on cats but covered)
- American dog tick (less common on cats but covered)
- Gulf Coast tick (less common on cats but covered)
- Heartworm
- Roundworm
- Hookworm
- Ear mites
Price per year: about $200 to $300 (estimated, varies by location and vet pricing)
Also Great: Frontline Gold for Cats
A box of Frontline Gold for Cats, representing a popular topical flea and tick treatment.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh (representative image)
Also great
Frontline Gold for Cats
Reliable flea and tick protection, over-the-counter option
Frontline Gold offers fast-acting and dependable protection against fleas and ticks for a full month. Its over-the-counter availability makes it a convenient choice for cat owners. However, it does not protect against internal parasites.
Buying Options
$ Varies by retailer, commonly available at pet stores and online
Frontline Gold for Cats is a widely recognized and trusted topical treatment for flea and tick control in cats. Its key advantage lies in its accessibility as an over-the-counter medication, providing cat owners with a readily available solution for parasite prevention. Frontline Gold is known for its rapid action in killing fleas and ticks upon contact.
Frontline Gold utilizes fipronil and (S)-methoprene as its active ingredients. Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide that disrupts the central nervous system of fleas and ticks, leading to their death. (S)-methoprene is an insect growth regulator that prevents flea eggs and larvae from developing, effectively breaking the flea life cycle and preventing re-infestation. This dual-action formula ensures both immediate killing of adult parasites and long-term control of flea populations.
While Frontline Gold excels in controlling fleas and ticks, it’s important to note that it does not provide protection against internal parasites such as heartworms, roundworms, or hookworms. Cat owners seeking comprehensive parasite control will need to consider additional medications for these internal threats.
Frontline Gold is applied topically once a month, usually at the back of the neck to prevent licking. It is available in single dose applicators or multi-dose packs. Its ease of application and over-the-counter availability make it a popular choice for routine flea and tick prevention.
Kills or repels:
- Fleas (adults, eggs, and larvae)
- Black-legged tick (deer tick)
- Brown dog tick
- American dog tick
- Lone star tick
Price per year: about $120 to $180 (estimated, varies by retailer)
Budget Pick: Advantage II for Cats
A box of Advantage II Flea Treatment for Cats, representing an affordable topical option.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh (representative image)
Budget pick
Advantage II for Cats
Affordable and effective flea control
Advantage II provides reliable flea control at a budget-friendly price. This topical treatment is effective against fleas and their life cycle stages, and is available over-the-counter. It does not protect against ticks or internal parasites.
Buying Options
$ Varies by retailer, generally inexpensive and widely available
$ Varies by retailer
Advantage II for Cats is a popular choice for cat owners seeking effective flea control without a prescription and at a more economical price point. It focuses primarily on flea elimination and prevention, making it a suitable option for cats with flea-only concerns.
The active ingredient in Advantage II is imidacloprid, a potent insecticide that targets the nervous system of fleas, causing paralysis and death. Like Frontline Gold, Advantage II also incorporates an insect growth regulator, pyriproxyfen, to disrupt the flea life cycle by preventing flea larvae from maturing into adults. This dual-action approach provides both immediate relief from adult fleas and long-term flea control.
Advantage II is applied topically once a month, typically between the shoulder blades. It is known for being fast-acting against fleas and is effective in controlling flea infestations. However, it is important to note that Advantage II does not protect against ticks or internal parasites. For cats at risk of tick exposure or requiring protection against heartworms or intestinal worms, additional preventative measures are necessary.
Advantage II is widely available over-the-counter at pet stores, online retailers, and some veterinary clinics. Its affordability and proven flea-killing efficacy make it a solid budget pick for cat owners.
Kills or repels:
- Fleas (adults, eggs, and larvae)
Price per year: about $80 to $120 (estimated, varies by retailer)
Budget Pick: Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats
A tin containing a Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats, representing long-lasting protection.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh (representative image)
Budget pick
Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats
Long-lasting flea and tick collar for cats
The Seresto collar offers extended eight-month protection against fleas and ticks in a convenient collar format. It’s a longer-lasting option compared to monthly topicals, but does not protect against internal parasites and some cats may dislike wearing a collar.
Buying Options
$ Varies by retailer, generally a cost-effective long-term solution
The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats provides up to eight months of continuous flea and tick protection, making it one of the longest-lasting treatments available. This collar releases active ingredients gradually over time, providing consistent defense against external parasites.
Seresto collars for cats utilize two active ingredients: imidacloprid and flumethrin. Imidacloprid targets fleas, while flumethrin is effective against ticks. The collar works by releasing these ingredients onto the cat’s skin and fur, providing whole-body protection. Because it repels and kills fleas and ticks, it can reduce the likelihood of tick-borne disease transmission.
Similar to other non-prescription flea and tick solutions, the Seresto collar does not protect against internal parasites like heartworms or intestinal worms. For comprehensive parasite protection, additional treatments may be needed.
The Seresto collar is designed for continuous wear and is water-resistant. It includes a safety release mechanism to prevent choking hazards. While most cats tolerate collars well, some may initially find it uncomfortable. However, the long-lasting protection offered by Seresto can be a significant advantage for busy cat owners or those seeking a set-and-forget flea and tick solution.
Kills or repels:
- Fleas
- Black-legged tick (deer tick)
- Brown dog tick
- American dog tick
- Lone star tick
Price per year: about $60 to $90 (collar lasts 8 months, so less than a full year’s cost)
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