Are you confused by the all the options to prevent heartworm, fleas and intestinal worms in your cat? Here is our guide to the best options available; you should find all the common, safe and respected treatments found in your vet or pet supplies store. If it isn’t here, please ask!
The chart above gives an overview of each product; protection against the parasites in RED is considered necessary in all cats, however we recommend including heartworm prevention. The risk may be low but the consequences are severe if caught. Read more at Does my cat need heartworm prevention?
You can just choose the treatment with the most ticks but we advise you make a more tailored plan by reading about each product.
This list is in order of our personal recommendations but please consult your vet for advice specific to your cat’s age, health and lifestyle before use. At this quality end of the market, most flea, heartworm and worming programs work out at around the same cost. Prices are available on request.
Latest news: we now send free monthly SMS text reminders when you purchase flea control at our clinic. Remember that there is no need to have tick prevention in the Adelaide region unless you plan on taking your pet to the eastern states.
Warning: NEVER use dog products on cats, especially those from the supermarket. If treating multiple animals, they may groom and lick each other so keep separated until the product is not visible.
Prevents: Heartworm, Fleas, Intestinal worms*, some mites, lungworm
Comes as: a vial of liquid applied to the back of the neck on a monthly basis (ivermectin & imidacloprid)
Rapid flea control
Also useful in treating kittens infested with ear mites and treating lungworm
How To Use Advocate
Advocate can be used from 9 weeks of age. The solvent may damage clothing and painted surfaces so take care after applying it, and avoid placing it where the animal can lick. Safety in pregnancy has not been established.
*Active against roundworm and hookworm only. You will still need to use an intestinal worming treatment for tapeworm every 3-6 months.
2. Products To Prevent Fleas & Not Heartworm
These products are used together with a heartworm preventative and intestinal worming (see elsewhere). All cats and dogs living together need to be treated to control fleas in a household.
Activyl®
Prevents: fleas
Comes as: a vial of liquid applied to the back of the neck on a monthly basis (indoxacarb)
Fast, modern flea control Is activated only once inside the flea
Available in single doses
How To Use Activyl
Only for cats weighing over 0.6kg and over 8 weeks of age. Do not apply in a way that it can be licked. Safety not established in breeding animals, lactation or pregnancy.
Comfortis®
Prevents: fleas
Comes as: a beef-flavoured tablet given once a month with food (spinosad)
Highly effective flea control
No restrictions on bathing, no mess
Single tablet treats up to 11.2kg
How To Use Comfortis
Comfortis can be used from 14 weeks of age in cats over 1.4kg. Safety in breeding animals not established.
Bravecto®
Prevents: fleas, ticks
Bravecto for cats (fluralaner) comes in 2 forms:
Bravecto Spot-on given once every 3 months for fleas & ticks only
Bravecto Plus with added intestinal worm & ear mite control if given every 2 months
Very long acting flea control
Also controls paralysis ticks for 3 months (Spot-on) or 10 weeks (Plus)
Treats cats up to 12.5kg
The intestinal worm control of Plus does not include tapeworm; for a true spot-on allwormer, you need Profender
How to use Bravecto
Bravecto Spot-on can be used from 11 weeks of age from 1.2kg bodyweight. Bravecto Plus can be used from 9 weeks.
Advantage®
Prevents: fleas
Comes as: a vial of liquid applied to the back of the neck on a monthly basis (imidacloprid)
Fast, effective flea control
Over 20 years of reliable performance
Safe in pregnancy and lactation
How to Use Advantage
Advantage can be used from weaning. Animals can be bathed after 48 hours, but if bathing is done frequently, some loss of effect of flea control may occur. The solvent may damage clothing and painted surfaces so take care after applying it, and avoid placing it where the animal can lick.
Seresto®
Prevents: fleas
Comes as: an insecticide-impregnated collar giving up to 8 months protection (imidacloprid & flumethrin)
Fast, effective flea control
Economical option for large groups of cats
May cause irritation where in contact with skin
How to Use Seresto
Seresto can be used from 10 weeks of age. Safety in pregnancy has not been established.
Frontline®
Prevents: fleas
Comes as: a vial of liquid applied to the back of the neck on a monthly basis (fipronil)
Used for tick control every two weeks if travelling to the eastern states
Water-fast after 48 hours
Safe in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats
How to Use Frontline
Frontline can be used from 8 weeks of age and should be applied where your cat cannot lick. May take longer than the other listed products to kill fleas.
3. Products To Treat Intestinal Worms
There are many wormers available, and most do a reasonably good job. Look for two or more active ingredients including at least ‘praziquantel’ plus one other. Always worm all the adult cats in a house at the same time.
Worming is necessary every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then every month until 6 months old, then every three months for life.
Milbemax®
Prevents: intestinal worms
Comes as: tablet (milbemycin & praziquantel)
Small tablets easily hidden in food
Single tablet treats up to 8kg cat
Highly effective worming
Can also be used for heartworm control if given monthly
How to Use Milbemax
Follow the schedule listed above. Safe in pregnant queens.
Profender® Spot-on
Prevents: intestinal worms, lungworm
Lungworm is present in Adelaide, and causes coughing and respiratory disease in mostly young cats.
Comes as: Spot-on treatment
Only spot-on treatment able to kill all common intestinal worms
Also treats lungworm
No need to give a tablet or risk injury
How to Use Profender
Safe from 8 weeks of age in kittens over 0.5kg. Give at 8 & 12 weeks, then every three months (you will need to give an oral wormer at 6 weeks). Safe in pregnant queens.
Drontal®
Prevents: intestinal worms
Comes as: tablet, drops
Original brand name all-wormer
Highly effective worming
How to Use Drontal
Follow the schedule listed above. Like most oral worming for cats, it’s fairly unpleasant tasting and hard to give. Safe in pregnancy.
