Revolution Plus For Cats Overview
In this article, youll learn about Revolution Plus for cats, the ingredients it contains, the types of pests it targets and parasite protection it provides, possible side effects to consider, and some frequently asked questions.
For more information about the original Revolution product and more insight on how it compares to Revolution Plus, see Revolution for Cats.
Why Are Some Flea Products Are Dangerous To Cats
Products labeled for use in dogs only should never be used on a cat. Some ingredients that are well-tolerated by dogs can be toxic to cats. “Anything with a permethrin, also known as pyrethrin, should never be used on a cat,” Sawyer said. ” are very sensitive to pyrethrins and can have significant neurologic side effects, even death. Never use a product labeled for a dog on a cat as it may have pyrethrins in it even if not exclusively mentioned on the label.”
Revolution Plus For Cats Dosage
Before purchasing Revolution Plus, find out how much your cat weighs so you can buy the correct dosage.
Revolution Plus is typically applied every 30 days for the best protection. Revolution Plus is approved for use in cats and kittens 8 weeks of age and older.
Revolution Plus comes in three sizes as a topical solution for cats weighing 2.8 to 5.5 pounds, 5.5 to 11.1 pounds, and 11.1 to 22 pounds. For cats that exceed 22 pounds, the manufacturer recommends using a second dose in combination as appropriate .
Safe use of Revolution Plus or any topical product for your kitty means always following all instructions on the packaging. Revolution Plus vials have a cap that first needs to be pushed down into the vial to puncture it.
The cap can then be removed, and the entire contents of the vial applied by parting the fur and applying to the skin along the back of the neck in front of the shoulders where a kitty cannot reach to lick it off of himself.
While Revolution Plus topical solution is considered to be waterproof within two hours of application, the manufacturer still recommends waiting 24 hours to bathe your kitty after application. Bathing shortly before application may also reduce its effectiveness.
If for some reason you are unsure if the product was administered correctly or whether all of it was applied, it is usually safest to not apply an additional dose.
Read Also: When To Transition Kittens To Cat Food
Do Natural Flea Control Products Work
If you’re considering using natural flea control products that contain essential oils, exercise caution. Some essential oils can be toxic to cats.
All three veterinarians we consulted do not recommend natural products, which do not work nearly as well as veterinarian-recommended topical and oral flea control products. “They are just not proven to be really effective,” Bourgeois said. “My biggest concern with natural products is, even if they’re safe, if they’re not effective, that’s not helping our pets. I get more concerned about the secondary ramifications for the pet if we’re using something that hasn’t been proven to be effective, versus products that have been proven to be effective and well tolerated.”
Do You Need A Prescription For Revolution Plus For Cats
Yes. Because Revolution Plus is a heartworm preventative, it does require a prescription as all heartworm preventatives do.
Even if ordered online, a prescription request will still need to be sent to your veterinarian for approval. The main reason for this is that some pets can be at a higher risk of a reaction for some products if the product is given or applied while the pet has an active heartworm infection.
While cats are not as routinely tested for heartworm as dogs are, owing to the fact that only about 50% of cats truly infected with heartworm will show up positive for the disease on a test, its still important for a veterinarian to verify that a kitty is not showing signs of illness prior to starting.
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Out Cat Ears
Is Revolution The Best Flea Treatment For Cats
When compared to Revolution, Advantage and Frontline products have faster kill times for fleas. Advantage II and Frontline GOLD also more effectively treat the entire flea life cycle including not just eggs but larvae as well. For getting rid of an active flea infestation in your home, Frontline Plus, Frontline GOLD, or Advantage II are probably better choices.
However, Revolution does have advantages to consider. When choosing a product, always make sure to think about all risks present to your kitty. With a spectrum that includes not just fleas but heartworms, ticks, sarcoptic mite mange, ear mites, and a couple intestinal parasites, its fairly unmatched in terms of having a pretty broad spectrum of coverage.
Most pets are at risk from all of these critters, but there can be regional variation. If youre not sure what risks are more prevalent in your region, make sure to ask your veterinarian.
What Is Revolution Plus
Revolution Plus is a safe and effective monthly topical medication that provides 6-in-1 protection for cats. Revolution Plus kills fleas before they lay eggs, and kills ticks for a full month. In comparison to Revolution for cats, Revolution Plus kills 3 types of ticks for a full month. It also prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms. Revolution Plus is easy to apply and is a quick-drying solution for a mess-free administration. Revolution Plus requires a prescription from your veterinarian.
Also Check: What Do Cats Like To Watch On Tv
About Dr Chris Vanderhoof Dvm Mph
Dr. Chris Vanderhoof is a 2013 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a Masters in Public Health. He completed a rotating internship with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and now works as a general practitioner in the Washington D.C. area.Dr. Vanderhoof is also a copywriter specializing in the animal health field and founder of Paramount Animal Health Writing Solutions, which can be found at www.animalhealthcopywriter.com. Dr. Vanderhoof lives in the Northern Virginia area with his family, including 3 cats.
Prescription Required / No Prescription Required
Is a visit to the veterinarians office problematic for you? For many cat owners it will be, and for these people Frontline Plus has the advantage of being available without a prescription. Alternately, if you prefer Revolution Plus then youll need to get a veterinarians prescription to purchase it.
You May Like: Chewy Com Cat Food And Treats
How To Prevent A Cat From Licking Revolution
Always read the label directions carefully to ensure the product is appropriate for your cats species, age, and weight. Apply it on a spot at the back of the neck just between the shoulder blades where she cannot reach to lick it. If you are unsure, feel free to call your vet for advice. If you have more than one cat in the household separate them so they cannot lick it off each other.
If you feel like your cat is becoming ill from ingesting the product, bring her to the vet clinic immediately. Although poisoning from flea products is rare, in some cases your cat may need prompt medical care for better and faster recovery.
Side Effects Of Revolution For Cats
When used properly, side effects to Revolution products for cats are uncommon. Both Revolution and Revolution Plus are labeled for cats 8 weeks of age and older. Revolution Plus is also restricted to cats weighing at least 2.8lb. Topical products like Revolution should never be ingested.
In clinical trials for Revolution, about 1% of cats were found to have a temporary hair loss at the application site, according to the manufacturer. Other signs seen in less than 0.5% of cats included digestive upset, poor appetite, drooling, an abnormally increased breathing rate, and muscle tremors.
In Revolution Plus, a little less than 5% of cats showed signs of looking excessively tired, less than 4% showed signs of skin irritation, and about 3% showed signs of a decreased appetite. No hair loss was documented with Revolution Plus.
At least some of the digestive upset and signs of excessive drooling or salivation may have occurred secondary to kitties licking the product off of themselves after application. Products like Revolution are very bitter tasting, so if a kitty were to lick a recently applied product off either themselves or a housemate, the bitter taste alone can lead to excessive drooling, agitation, and sometimes even vomiting.
And lastly, topical products like Revolution have been known to cause skin and eye irritation in people. It is best to avoid contact with the solution during application and to wash hands after.
Recommended Reading: How Much Wet Food Should An 8 Pound Cat Eat
Best Flea Control For Young Kittens
Capstar Flea Control Tablets are safe for kittens as young as 4 weeks old and start killing fleas within 30 minutes.
Pros: Safe for kittens 4 weeks of age or older, safe for pregnant and nursing cats, fast-acting treatment, easy to give alone or in food, can be used with other flea control products, available without a prescription
Cons: Does not offer long-term protection, does not kill flea eggs or larvae or prevent any parasites other than fleas
Parasites prevented: Adult fleas
Duration of effectiveness: 24 hours
Safe for: Cats and kittens 4 weeks and older, weighing at least 2 pounds pregnant and nursing cats
Prescription: No
Available without a prescription, Capstar is the only flea control product safe for kittens as young as 4 weeks and weighing at least 2 pounds. With other flea control products, whether topical or oral, kittens must be at least 8 weeks old, and sometimes older.
Fleas should be eliminated as quickly as possible for heavily infested cats, especially young kittens. The active ingredient in Capstar, nitenpyram, works within 30 minutes and kills greater than 90% of adult fleas in as little as six hours.
Capstar only protects against fleas for 24 hours, but it is safe to give daily if necessary. Since giving a cat a pill every day can be inconvenient, pet owners should follow up with a long-term flea control product once the kitten is old enough.
Best Otc Topical Flea Preventive
Available without a prescription, Frontline Plus kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice.
Pros: Kills 5 types of parasites fleas don’t have to bite for it to work
Cons: Not recommended for kittens younger than 8 weeks of age does not prevent worms
Parasites prevented: Adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, chewing lice
Duration of effectiveness: 30 days
Safe for: Cats and kittens 8 weeks and older, weighing at least 1.5 pounds breeding, pregnant, and nursing cats
Prescription: No
We recommend Frontline Plus because it not only kills fleas and controls flea infestations, but it also kills ticks and chewing lice. Used and trusted by pet owners for more than 20 years, it protects for 30 days with one application. Fleas do not have to bite your cat for it to work they die on contact.
Frontline Plus has two active ingredients, fipronil and S-methoprene, which work together to kill parasites and break the flea life cycle. Fipronil kills adult fleas and ticks, while S-methoprene prevents the development of immature flea stages . It can sometimes take a little time of consistent use before all fleas are completely gone, especially if your cat was heavily infested, since flea eggs can still be present in your home.
Don’t Miss: My Neutered Male Cat Is Peeing Everywhere
Revolution Plus Topical Solution For Cats
-
Protects from more than just fleas
-
Some cats dislike how it feels
-
May cause hair loss at application site
With not only safe and effective flea killing power, Revolution plus also kills or prevents heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites. It even kills or protects against ticks, targeting the three most common species, making it a useful tool in your arsenal during tick season.
Revolution Plus has a small amount of alcohol-based liquid which is administered monthly on the back of your cats neck. It isnt oily and doesnt smell. As with any spot-on or topical flea treatment, sometimes hair loss is noted in the area that the product is applied and some cats dont like the feeling of the alcohol on their skin.You also need to let the product dry before petting your cat in that area but aside from those quick, monthly application rules, you shouldnt have to worry about fleas the rest of the time.
Revolution Plus uses two active ingredientsselamectin and sarolanerboth of which are safe for use in cats, and have minimal side effects. When combined, the two antiparasitics are fast-acting, killing fleas within six hours and offering robust protection after 24. Revolution Plus should not be used in cats with nuerologic disorders.
A prescription is needed to purchase Revolution Plus. It is available in three different sizes, with different dosages depending upon your cat’s weight.
The 7 Best Flea Treatments For Cats In 2022
Our favorite is Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats
Sarah Scott is a fact checker with more than 16 years of experience in researching, writing, and editing digital and print media. She has verified and edited articles on a variety of subjects for The Spruce Pets, including pet behavior, health, and care as well as the latest trends in products for animals in the home.
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
The Spruce Pets / Sabrina Jiang
Fleas can transmit serious diseases to your cats, making preventative treatments a useful tool for cat owners with animals at risk for picking up fleas. Flea treatments for cats, including preventatives, are available in a variety of forms, including as a topical solution and as an oral treatment.
Not all flea treatments work well with cats, especially because they are very sensitive to certain chemicals . Using vetted, cat-specific treatments is key to maintaining you cat’s health while getting rid of their flea problem. We evaluated products for reliability, safety, and ease of use.
Here are the best flea treatments for cats.
Don’t Miss: Cat Bh30 Backhoe Attachment For Sale
The Best Flea Treatments For Cats To Buy In 2022
For owners that want to try out an oral preventative, Dr. Brausa recommends Comfortis. “Oral preventatives arent generally the easiest thing to give to cats but sometimes they work well or you have a cat that, for whatever reason, is more amenable to getting an oral medication or treatment,” Dr. Brausa says. The pill is given once a month and can be used for both cats and dogs.
Why are fleas dangerous?“Fleas in and of themselves are a bit of a nuisance. They cause bites which are itchy to both animals and people alike. They are also potential hosts for a number of different diseases and all of this stuff is very preventable with flea preventative,” Dr. Brausa says. Dr. Katribe also noted fleas can cause anemia in animals in severe infections, which can be life-threatening to animals.
How can you tell if your cat has fleas? One of the easiest ways to know if your cat has fleas is to look for them, explains Dr. Katribe. “Common signs of flea infestation include seeing live fleas on your cat or in some cases, we see ‘flea dirt’ which looks like fine, black sand in the hair coat, often at the base of the hairs,” Dr. Katribe says. “To examine for potential fleas, part the hairs on your cats coat near the base and look for fleas or ‘flea dirt.’ Flea dirt can be combed out with a flea comb. When placed on a paper towel and moistened, the black dirt will turn red, as flea dirt is actually flea excrement digested blood.”
About Revolution Plus For Cats
The main ingredient in Revolution products is selamectin. Selamectin is a topical avermectin antiparasiticide. Selamectin works by enhancing release of a neurotransmitter called GABA. In certain parasitic worms like roundworms and in arthropods like fleas, GABA inhibits nerve conduction. By enhancing GABA release, selamectin essentially causes paralysis and death of the parasites it targets.
Revolution Plus also includes sarolaner, which is an isoxazoline class acaricide/insecticide that inhibits GABA, leading to neuromuscular overstimulation and death of the parasites it targets. Sarolaner broadens Revolution Plus spectrum to include three types of ticks: the American dog tick, black-legged/deer tick, and the Gulf Coast tick.
Revolution Plus spot-on product is a monthly topical solution applied to a small target area or spot of the skin, usually in front of the shoulders at the back of the neck.
To get a lethal dose of selamectin or sarolaner, the parasites dont have to bite a treated cat simply coming in contact with the skin is enough. However, its important to note that Revolution products for cats do not provide true repellency that would prevent fleas or ticks from coming in contact with a pet.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Canned Cat Food
Revolution For Cats: Dosage Safety & Side Effects
Revolution for cats is a brand of topical, spot-on flea, tick, intestinal parasite, and heartworm preventative containing the main ingredient selamectin. Currently, it is available as the two prescription products Revolution for Cats and Revolution Plus for Cats.
In this article, youll learn about Revolution for cats, the ingredients both Revolution products contain, the types of pests they target, possible side effects to consider, and some frequently asked questions.
Back To Flea Medications For Cats
As mentioned, nearly all the Revolution Plus for cats reviews are positive, and the same can be said for Frontline Plus for cats reviews. Theyre both good products, but in conclusion here we can say that maybe Revolution Plus gets the nod as it takes on worms and ear mites to. However, Frontline Plus has the advantage of being available without a prescription.
Recommended Reading: What Can You Spray To Keep Cats Away