The Best Flea and Tick Medications for Cats

By PetMD Editorial on Jun. 30, 2022

The best defense is sometimes a good offense—and that’s especially true when it comes to protecting your cat from flea and tick infestations. A good flea and tick program will help protect your cat from these parasites, reducing their risk of experiencing allergic reactions or contracting a tick- or flea-borne illness.

Fleas are linked to multiple health issues in cats, including allergic reactions, dermatitis, anemia, infections, and tapeworms. Tick bites can also transmit potentially serious infections to cats like hemobartonellosis, cytauxzoonosis, tularemia, and more. Fortunately, there are a wide range of parasite preventatives on the market.

Advantage

Advantage® Multi contains the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin and begins killing fleas within hours of administration. Advantage® Multi also treats hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites and prevents heartworm disease. The following products are available:

Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Cats, 2-5 lbs

Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Cats, 5.1-9 lbs

Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Cats, 9.1-18 lbs

Bravecto

Bravecto® contains the active ingredient fluralaner, which is in the isoxazoline class of products. Isoxazoline producsts should be used with caution and only under a vet’s supervision in cats with a history of seizures and other neurologic disorders. Bravecto® is effective in the treatment of fleas and black-legged ticks for 12 weeks, and American dog ticks for 8 weeks. Bravecto® Plus contains the active ingredients fluralaner and moxidectin. Together, the ingredients in Bravecto® Plus have been shown to treat and prevent flea, tick, and ear mite infestations, as well as controlling roundworms and hookworms and preventing heartworm disease. The following products are available:

Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats, 2.6-6.2 lbs

Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats, 6.2-13.8 lbs

Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats, 13.8-27.5 lbs

Bravecto Plus Topical Solution for Cats, 2.6-6.2 lbs

Bravecto Plus Topical Solution for Cats, >6.2-13.8 lbs

Bravecto Plus Topical Solution for Cats, >13.8-27.5 lbs

Credelio

Credelio® contains the active ingredient lotilaner, also part of the isozazoline class of products. This medication has been shown to start killing fleas within hours of administration. It has also been shown in clinical trials to kill deer ticks in cats and kittens over six months of age. The following products are available:

Credelio Chewable Tablets for Cats, 2-4 lbs

Credelio Chewable Tablets for Cats, 4.1-17 lbs

Frontline

Frontline® Gold contains the active ingredients fipronil, (s)-methoprene, and pyriproxyfen. This combination of ingredients has been shown to control multiple life stages of fleas, as well as ticks, mosquitoes, and chewing lice. Frontline® Plus contains the active ingredients fipronil and (s)-methoprene. This combination of ingredients has been shown to kill multiple life stages of fleas, as well as ticks, and chewing lice. The following products are available:

Frontline Gold Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats, over 1.5 lbs

Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats, over 1.5 lbs

Revolution

Revolution® Plus contains the active ingredients selamectin and sarolaner. This combination of ingredients kills multiple life stages of fleas as well as ticks, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms. It also prevents heartworm disease. The following products are available: