Bravecto for cats: the 12-week flea and tick spot-on

What is Bravecto for cats?

Bravecto is made by MSD Animal Health. The active ingredient, fluralaner, belongs to the isoxazoline family of drugs. After application, fluralaner is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and stays at effective levels for weeks. Fleas and ticks are killed when they feed.

The big advantage is the long interval between doses. Most flea spot-ons need applying every 4 weeks, which is easy to forget. Bravecto lasts up to 12 weeks, so you only need four doses a year. For a comparison with every other product, see our guide to flea treatment for cats.

Bravecto vs Bravecto Plus for cats

	Bravecto Spot-on for cats	Bravecto Plus Spot-on for cats
Active ingredients	Fluralaner	Fluralaner + moxidectin
Fleas	Up to 12 weeks	Up to 12 weeks
Ticks	Up to 12 weeks	Up to 12 weeks
Ear mites	No	Yes
Roundworm and hookworm	No	Yes
Lungworm	No	Yes
Heartworm prevention	No	Yes (relevant for travel abroad)
Tapeworm	No	No
Prescription	Yes	Yes

If your cat needs tapeworm cover too, which most cats with fleas or hunting habits do, your vet may add a praziquantel wormer. See our cat worming guide.

Bravecto spot-on sizes for cats

Pack	Cat weight
Small cat	1.2–2.8 kg
Medium cat	2.8–6.25 kg
Large cat	6.25–12.5 kg

Your vet will weigh your cat and prescribe the correct size. Bravecto is licensed for cats from about 11 weeks of age and 1.2 kg; check the current leaflet for the exact minimum, especially for Bravecto Plus.

How to apply Bravecto spot-on for cats

1. Open the sachet just before use and hold the pipette upright.
2. Twist the cap once fully, clockwise or anticlockwise, to break the seal (the cap stays on).
3. Part the fur at the base of the skull until you can see the skin.
4. Squeeze gently to apply all the liquid directly onto the skin in one spot (or two spots close together for larger volumes).
5. Don't touch the area until dry, and keep cats from grooming each other.
6. Note the date: the next dose is due in 12 weeks.

How fast does Bravecto work on cats?

Bravecto starts killing fleas within hours and kills most fleas within 12 hours. Ticks are killed within about 48 hours. As with any flea product, you may continue to see fleas for several weeks while eggs and pupae in your home hatch. Every new flea that jumps on is killed, usually before it can lay eggs, so the population collapses over time.

Is Bravecto safe for cats?

Bravecto is licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and is used on millions of cats. Possible side effects include:

• Temporary redness, itching or hair loss at the application site.
• Drooling if the cat licks the product.
• Rarely, vomiting, diarrhoea or reduced appetite.
• Very rarely, neurological signs such as tremors, wobbliness or seizures.

Regulators in the UK, Europe and the US have highlighted that isoxazoline drugs, including fluralaner, can rarely cause neurological reactions. Tell your vet if your cat has ever had a seizure, and contact them immediately if you notice any neurological signs after treatment.

Bravecto for cats vs other flea treatments

	Bravecto	Stronghold Plus	Advocate	Frontline Plus
Doses per year	4	12–13	12–13	12–13
Ticks	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Worms	Plus version only	Roundworm	Roundworm, lungworm	No
Prescription	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

Monthly alternatives include Stronghold Plus and Advocate. If you'd prefer not to use a spot-on at all, see flea collars for cats, which can last up to 8 months.

Who is Bravecto for cats best for?

• Owners who struggle to remember monthly treatments.
• Outdoor cats that pick up ticks in fields and woodland.
• Cats that hate being handled, since you only treat four times a year.
• Homes where fleas have persisted despite correct use of older products.

It may be less suitable for cats with a history of seizures, very young or small kittens, or pregnant and nursing cats, where safety has not been fully established. Your vet will advise.

Ticks on cats in the UK

Ticks are most common from spring to autumn, especially in woodland, moorland, long grass and areas with deer or sheep. They can spread diseases, and some cats develop a lump or infection where a tick has fed. Bravecto kills ticks that attach and feed. Check your cat after it has been in long grass, particularly around the head, ears and neck. If you find a tick, remove it with a tick-removal tool by twisting, rather than pulling, and never squeeze or burn it.

Bravecto for indoor cats

Indoor cats rarely meet ticks, but they can still get fleas carried in on clothes, shoes and other pets. For an indoor cat with a flea problem, Bravecto's 12-week cover means fewer stressful treatments while you clear the home. For an indoor cat with no history of fleas, your vet may suggest a lighter routine. Either way, combine treatment with daily vacuuming and hot washes of bedding while you're clearing an infestation.

What to do if your cat licks Bravecto

Apply Bravecto at the base of the skull so your cat can't reach it, and keep cats apart until it's dry. If your cat or a companion licks the product, you may see drooling or foaming for a short time because of the taste. Offer a little food or water to clear the mouth. Contact your vet if drooling continues, if your cat vomits, or if you notice trembling or wobbliness.

Bravecto Plus for cats travelling abroad

If your cat travels to mainland Europe, it may be exposed to parasites that are rare in the UK, such as heartworm. Bravecto Plus helps prevent heartworm as well as treating fleas, ticks, ear mites and several worms. Cats travelling abroad also need a microchip, a rabies vaccination and the right travel paperwork, and pet travel rules change, so ask your vet well before you go.

How much does Bravecto for cats cost?

A single Bravecto spot-on for cats typically costs £25 to £40, depending on the size and where it's bought, plus a consultation or prescription fee. Because one dose lasts 12 weeks, the monthly cost is around £8 to £13, similar to other prescription flea products. Bravecto Plus costs a little more but also covers several worms and ear mites. Many vet health plans include Bravecto or a similar product.

Common questions about switching to Bravecto

Can I switch from Frontline to Bravecto for cats?

Yes, your vet can switch your cat from a monthly product such as Frontline to Bravecto. Usually you apply Bravecto when the next monthly dose would have been due. Your vet will advise on timing if your cat is on other medicines.

Can I use Bravecto with a flea collar?

Using two flea products at the same time isn't usually necessary. Ask your vet before combining Bravecto with a collar or another spot-on.

Does my dog need Bravecto too?

Every pet in the home needs flea protection, but dogs need dog-licensed products. Never use dog Bravecto on a cat. Our guide to whether dogs can get cat fleas explains why treating every pet matters.