Every pet parent has scrolled through many options when it comes to choosing a suitable parasite preventative for their feline friend. So, have you also done this exercise and come down to two popular names for spot-on treatment: Advocate and Revolution? Both are monthly parasite preventatives that protect your cat against a range of internal and external parasites.
This guide compares Advocate and Revolution, including how they work, the parasites they cover, their similarities and differences, to help you choose the right one.
Keep reading!
What is Advocate Spot-on for Cats?
Advocate is a monthly spot-on treatment for cats manufactured by Elanco. It combines two active ingredients, imidacloprid and moxidectin, that provide comprehensive parasite protection. It is supplied in easy-to-use spot-on tubes.
How Does Advocate Spot-On for Cats Work?
After application, imidacloprid acts topically. It spreads through the fatty/oily layer of the coat and skin and rapidly kills fleas on contact, so they don’t need to bite your cat to die. Moxidectin acts systemically, meaning on the inside. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin and distributed throughout the body in the blood, allowing it to kill worms as well as mites.
Advocate for Cats is indicated for the following:
- Treatment and prevention of flea infestations
- Reduces the incidence of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
- Prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis
- Treatment, control and prevention (when administered repeatedly at 28-day intervals) of the common cat lungworm infections
- Treatment of adult lungworms
- Treatment and control of roundworms and hookworms
- Treatment and control of ear mites
- Treatment of feline mange mites
Advocate for cats can be used on kittens from 9 weeks of age. It is available in weight-specific pack sizes, including formulations for kittens and small cats up to 4 kg and cats over 4 kg.
What is Revolution for Cats?
Revolution is a once-a-month, spot-on parasite preventive for cats manufactured by Zoetis. The active ingredient, selamectin, works against various internal and external parasites. It is available in convenient and low-volume formulations.
How Does Revolution for Cats Work?
After application, the active ingredient, selamectin, is absorbed and distributed throughout the body, working both topically and systemically.
Revolution for Cats is recommended for:
- Killing adult fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae in the environment
- Treatment, control, and prevention of flea infestations
- Control of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
- Prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis
- Treatment and control of ear mites
- Treatment and control of intestinal hookworms and roundworms
- Treatment of biting lice
Revolution for cats is generally approved for use on cats 6 weeks of age and older. It is supplied in different pack sizes for dosage according to the cat’s body weight.
Similarities between Advocate for Cats and Revolution for Cats
- Both are monthly topical spot-on treatments for cats.
- Both treatments are approved to treat existing flea infestations and prevent new infestations.
- Both treatments help reduce the incidence of flea allergy dermatitis.
- Both products prevent heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis.
- Both treatments provide protection against two common intestinal parasites, roundworms and hookworms.
- Both products treat and control ear mite infestations.
- Both parasite treatments are approved for cats and kittens when used as instructed.
Differences between Advocate for Cats and Revolution for Cats
Although both Revolution for cats and Advocate for cats provide broad-spectrum parasite protection and share many features in common, here are some important differences:
Active Ingredients:
- Advocate for cats contains two active ingredients: imidacloprid and moxidectin.
- Revolution for cats contains selamectin.
Parasite Coverage:
- Lungworm: Advocate protects against both lungworm species that infect cats in Australia, whereas Revolution does not provide lungworm coverage.
- Mange mites: Advocate treats feline mange mites alongside ear mites, while Revolution only treats ear mites and not mange mites.
- Biting lice: Revolution is approved for the treatment of biting lice, whereas Advocate is not.
Age Considerations:
Advocate is approved for cats and kittens from 9 weeks of age; in comparison, Revolution is suitable for cats and kittens from 6 weeks of age when used as directed.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Which one should you choose?
Advocate for cats may be a suitable choice:
- If feline mange mites are a known risk in your area.
- If your veterinarian recommends protection against feline lungworms.
Revolution for cats may be a suitable choice:
- If your cat needs treatment for biting lice.
- If you have a kitten between 6 and 9 weeks of age that requires parasite protection.
You can choose which one provides protection against the parasites most relevant to your cat. Your veterinarian may recommend a suitable option based on your cat’s age and any existing health conditions.
Conclusion
Both spot-on treatments, Advocate and Revolution, are trusted and widely used in veterinary practice. They share many similarities and also differences. By understanding the comparison of both, you can make a more informed decision. You can check out both products at DiscountPetCare, which offers amazing discounts and hassle-free order deliveries.
If you are still unsure about which one to choose, have a chat with your veterinarian. They can recommend the most customised solution based on your cat’s overall condition and, of course, your preference.
