I work in a pet store, and flea treatment is one of the things I am asked about most. With cats there are two mistakes I see over and over, and both can be serious. The first is people asking for a product by name and assuming it covers paralysis ticks when it does not. The second is people putting a dog flea product on their cat.
I have had a cat, so I know the routine from the owner’s side too. This is what I tell people at the counter.
For most Australian cats, choose a treatment that covers fleas, paralysis ticks and worms, especially if your cat goes outside on the east coast. Bravecto Plus (spot on, up to 3 months for fleas and about 10 weeks for paralysis ticks), NexGard Spectra for cats (monthly) and Revolution Plus (monthly) all cover paralysis ticks. Advocate is a good product but does not cover ticks at all. Never use a dog flea product on a cat: many contain permethrin, which is toxic to cats. Treat all year round, not just in summer.
For most cats I would point people to Bravecto Plus for cats. One spot on covers fleas for up to three months and paralysis ticks for about ten weeks, plus heartworm and common worms, so there are far fewer doses to forget. Pick the pipette that matches your cat’s weight.
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| Product | Fleas | Paralysis ticks | Worms and heartworm | How often |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bravecto Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes, including heartworm | Every 2 to 3 months |
| NexGard Spectra for cats | Yes | Yes | Yes, including tapeworm and heartworm | Monthly |
| Revolution Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes, including heartworm | Monthly |
| Advocate | Yes | No | Yes, including heartworm | Monthly |
The Advocate Mistake
This is the most useful thing in this whole post. People come in and ask for Advocate by name, and a lot of them assume it covers paralysis ticks. It does not. Advocate covers fleas, heartworm, intestinal worms and mites. It is a good product for what it does, but it has no tick protection.
That matters because paralysis ticks are found along the east coast of Australia, and they can kill a cat. If your cat goes outdoors, or you live near bush, you want something that covers ticks.
Never Put a Dog Product on a Cat
I repeat this to people because it is the one that can kill a cat quickly. Many dog flea and tick products, especially some spot ons, contain permethrin. Dogs handle it fine. Cats cannot break it down, and it causes tremors, seizures and death.
It also happens by accident. A cat that cuddles up to a dog that was just treated with a permethrin product can be poisoned. If you have both, keep them apart until the dog’s treatment has dried, and check what you are using on the dog. If your cat starts twitching or shaking after a flea treatment, go to a vet immediately.
Treat All Year, Not Just in Summer
Seasonal flea treatment is one of the things people leave too late. Fleas live happily inside heated houses through winter, and once you have an infestation, most of it is in the carpet and bedding as eggs and larvae, not on the cat. Treating year round is far easier than fighting an infestation. Treat every pet in the house at the same time.
Indoor Cats Still Need Something
Indoor cats can still get fleas, because fleas come in on people, other pets and visitors. They are at much lower risk of paralysis ticks, though, so for a strictly indoor cat your vet may suggest a simpler flea and worm product. If your indoor cat ever goes outside, even onto a balcony near bush, treat it like an outdoor cat.
Getting the Dose Right
- Weigh your cat. Every product is dosed by weight band. Guessing is how cats get under dosed.
- Part the fur at the base of the skull and apply onto the skin, not the fur, so the cat cannot lick it off.
- Kittens have minimum age and weight limits. Check the label or ask your vet.
- Set a reminder for the next dose the day you apply it.
Check for Ticks Anyway
No treatment is instant. If you live in a paralysis tick area, run your fingers over your cat daily in tick season, especially around the head, neck, ears and between the toes. Signs of tick paralysis in cats include a change in their meow, wobbly back legs, breathing changes, retching or vomiting. That is an emergency. Remove the tick with a tick removal tool and get to a vet.
What It Costs
All of these are priced per dose by weight band, and bigger packs are cheaper per dose. The thing that changes the yearly cost most is how often you dose: Bravecto Plus lasts the longest, so you buy fewer doses a year than with a monthly product.
Prices vary a lot between stores, so compare before you buy. Compared to an emergency vet bill for tick paralysis, which can run into the thousands, prevention is cheap.
What I Would Buy
The cat products I would recommend, plus the two tools worth having. Always choose the right weight band. (these are affiliate links)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Advocate cover paralysis ticks?
No. Advocate covers fleas, heartworm, intestinal worms and mites, but it has no tick protection. If your cat goes outside on the east coast of Australia, choose a product that includes paralysis ticks, such as Bravecto Plus, NexGard Spectra for cats or Revolution Plus. Always check the current label.
Can I use dog flea treatment on my cat?
No. Many dog flea and tick products contain permethrin, which is toxic to cats and can cause tremors, seizures and death. Cats can even be poisoned by cuddling up to a dog that has just been treated. Only ever use products labelled for cats, at the right weight band.
What is the best flea treatment for cats in Australia?
For most cats, one that covers fleas, paralysis ticks and worms. Bravecto Plus is what I recommend most because one spot on lasts up to three months for fleas and about ten weeks for paralysis ticks. NexGard Spectra for cats and Revolution Plus are good monthly alternatives.
Do indoor cats need flea treatment?
Yes. Fleas come into the house on people, other pets and visitors. Strictly indoor cats are at much lower risk of paralysis ticks, so your vet may suggest a simpler flea and worm product, but any cat that goes outside should have tick cover.
How much does cat flea treatment cost in Australia?
It depends on the product, your cat’s weight band and the pack size, and prices vary a lot between stores. Bravecto Plus needs the fewest doses a year of the paralysis tick options because each one lasts longest. Whatever you choose, it costs far less than an emergency vet bill for tick paralysis.