Updated 2 Oct 2026
Parasites may be small, but the trouble they cause for your cat can be anything but. Regular protection helps keep fleas, ticks and worms off your cat and reduces the risk from parasites that can also affect people.
There is no single product that suits every cat or covers every parasite. This guide compares common options of parasite protection for cats available in Australia, including what they cover, how often they are used and important points to discuss with your vet.
All-in-one flea, tick and worm protection for cats
Broad-spectrum all-in-one products cover several internal and external parasites in one regular dose. They are often called “all in one” protection, but that does not mean every parasite of concern to cats is covered: protection differs by product. Some cats may need an additional compatible wormer or tick-control product incorporated into their parasite protection regime to cover the gaps.
Compare all-in-one flea, tick and worm products
Advocate | BRAVECTO® | NexGard | Revolution | Revolution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Application | Spot-on | Spot-on | Spot-on | Spot-on | Spot-on |
Frequency | Monthly | Every 2 months | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
Fleas | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Flea larvae | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Ticks | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Repels ticks | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Ear mites | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Feline mange mites | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Lice | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Heartworm | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Lungworm | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Roundworms | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Hookworms | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Tapeworms | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Advocate
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Monthly.
Minimum age: From 9 weeks of age.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Not approved for use.
Weight ranges: Kittens and Small Cats up to 4 kg; Cats over 4 kg.
Active ingredients: Imidacloprid and moxidectin.
Parasites Advocate protects against
Fleas
Flea larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Ear mites
Feline mange mites
Lice
Heartworm
Lungworm
Roundworms
Hookworms
Transmission of flea tapeworm through protection against fleas
Parasites not covered by Advocate
Ticks
Tapeworms
BRAVECTO® Plus
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Every 2 months for flea and paralysis tick protection, or every 3 months for flea protection only.
Minimum age and weight: From 9 weeks of age and 1.2 kg.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Safety has not been established.
Weight ranges: Small 1.2-2.8 kg; Medium over 2.8-6.25 kg; Large over 6.25-12.5 kg.
Active ingredients: Fluralaner and moxidectin.
Other considerations:
For cats over 12.5 kg, use an appropriate combination of pipettes for their weight, as directed on the label.
Parasites BRAVECTO® Plus protects against
Fleas
Ticks
Ear mites
Heartworm
Lungworm
Roundworms
Hookworms
Transmission of flea tapeworm through protection against fleas
Parasites not covered by BRAVECTO® Plus
Flea larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Feline mange mites
Lice
Tapeworms
NexGard Spectra Spot-on for Cats
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Monthly.
Minimum age and weight: From 8 weeks of age and 0.8 kg.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Approved for use.
Weight ranges: Small 0.8-2.4 kg; Medium and Large 2.5-7.5 kg.
Active ingredients: Praziquantel, esafoxolaner and eprinomectin.
Other considerations:
For cats over 7.5 kg, use an appropriate combination of pipettes for their weight, as directed on the label.
Parasites NexGard Spectra Spot-on for Cats protects against
Fleas
Ticks
Ear mites
Feline mange mites
Heartworm
Lungworm
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
Parasites not covered by NexGard Spectra Spot-on for Cats
Flea larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Lice
Revolution
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Monthly.
Minimum age: From 6 weeks of age.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Approved for use.
Weight ranges: Puppies and Kittens up to 2.5 kg; Cats 2.6-7.5 kg.
Active ingredients: Selamectin.
Other considerations:
Keep your cat dry for at least two hours after application.
Parasites Revolution protects against
Fleas
Flea eggs, larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Ear mites
Lice
Heartworm
Roundworms
Hookworms
Transmission of flea tapeworm through protection against fleas
Parasites not covered by Revolution
Ticks
Feline mange mites
Lungworm
Tapeworms
Revolution Plus
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Monthly.
Minimum age and weight: From 8 weeks of age and 1.25 kg.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Safety has not been established.
Weight ranges: Kitten 1.25-2.5 kg; Medium 2.6-5 kg; Large 5.1-10 kg.
Active ingredients: Selamectin and sarolaner.
Other considerations:
Fast drying – dries within 4 hours.
For cats over 10 kg, use an appropriate combination of tubes for their weight, as directed on the label.
Parasites Revolution Plus protects against
Fleas
Flea eggs, larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Ticks
Ear mites
Feline mange mites
Lice
Heartworm
Roundworms
Hookworms
Transmission of flea tapeworm through protection against fleas
Parasites not covered by Revolution Plus
Lungworm
Tapeworms
Cat flea and tick protection
Fleas can leave cats itchy and turn the home into a breeding ground, while ticks can cause serious illness. The paralysis tick is of particular concern in Australia. The right protection depends on where your cat lives or travels.
Compare cat flea and tick products
BRAVECTO® | Frontline Spray | Seresto | |
|---|---|---|---|
Application | Spot-on | Spray | Collar |
Frequency | Every 3 months | 3 or 8 weeks | 8 months |
Fleas | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Flea larvae & pupae | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Ticks | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Repels ticks | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Ear mites | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Feline mange mites | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Lice | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
BRAVECTO® Spot-on for Cats
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Every 3 months.
Minimum age and weight: From 9 weeks of age and 1.2 kg.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Safety has not been established.
Weight ranges: Small 1.2-2.8 kg; Medium over 2.8-6.25 kg; Large over 6.25-12.5 kg.
Active ingredients: Fluralaner.
Other considerations:
For cats over 12.5 kg, use an appropriate combination of pipettes for their weight, as directed on the label.
Parasites BRAVECTO® Spot-on for Cats protects against
Fleas
Ticks
Ear mites
Transmission of flea tapeworm through protection against fleas
Parasites not covered by BRAVECTO® Spot-on for Cats
Flea larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Feline mange mites
Lice
Heartworm
Lungworm
Intestinal worms
Frontline Spray
Application: Spray.
Frequency: Every 3 weeks for paralysis ticks protection or every 8 weeks for fleas.
Minimum age: From 2 days of age.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Safety has not been established.
Formats: Available in several bottle sizes; dosing is based on the number of pumps per kilogram (see product label).
Active ingredients: Fipronil.
Other considerations:
Toxic to rabbits.
Flammable. Keep animals away from open flames and heat sources until the coat is dry.
Parasites Frontline Spray protects against
Fleas
Ticks
Lice
Parasites not covered by Frontline Spray
Flea larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Ear mites
Feline mange mites
Heartworm
Lungworm
Intestinal worms
Seresto for Kittens & Cats
Application: Collar.
Frequency: Up to 8 months.
Minimum age: From 10 weeks of age.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Safety has not been established.
Size: One adjustable collar.
Active ingredients: Imidacloprid and flumethrin.
Other considerations:
Repels ticks, helping reduce the risk of tick-borne disease.
Parasites Seresto for Kittens & Cats protects against
Fleas
Flea larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Ticks
Parasites not covered by Seresto for Kittens & Cats
Ear mites
Feline mange mites
Lice
Heartworm
Lungworm
Intestinal worms
Cat wormers
Wormers generally target intestinal worms such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworm and tapeworms, and some may also protect against heartworm. Cats can pick up intestinal worms through contaminated soil, prey and fleas, so worming is one piece of protection worth keeping on schedule.
These wormers do not cover fleas, ticks, or other external parasites and are best used alongside other parasite protection as part of a broader prevention plan.
Different tapeworms species may require particular active ingredients or more frequent treatment. If you see worms despite regular treatment, or your cat remains unwell, book a vet consultation rather than giving an extra dose.
Compare cat wormers
Drontal | Milbemax | ParaGard | Profender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application | Tablet | Tablet | Tablet | Spot-on |
Frequency* | Every 3 months | Monthly or every 3 months | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
Heartworm | ✘ | If given monthly | ✘ | ✘ |
Lungworm | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Roundworms | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Hookworms | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Tapeworms | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Giardia | Under vet direction | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
*The schedule shown is for adult cats. Kittens need more frequent intestinal worming, and cats with particular exposure risks may need to follow a different schedule.
Drontal for Cats
Application: Tablet.
Frequency: Depends on age and exposure risk.
Adults: Every 3 months. In hydatid tapeworms areas, every 6 weeks.
Kittens: Fortnightly from 6-12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months of age. After 6 months, as per adult schedule.
For Giardia: Requires more frequent dosing. Use as instructed by your veterinarian.
Minimum age: From 6 weeks of age.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Approved for use.
Weight ranges: Cats up to 4 kg; Large Cats over 4 kg.
Active ingredients: Praziquantel and pyrantel.
Parasites Drontal protects against
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
Parasites not covered by Drontal
Heartworm
Lungworm
Fleas
Ticks
Mites
Lice
Milbemax for Cats
Application: Beef-flavoured tablet.
Frequency: Depends on age and whether the product is also being used for heartworm prevention.
Adults: Every 3 months for intestinal worms only, or monthly when also used for heartworm prevention.
Kittens: At 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age and then every 3 months.
Minimum age and weight: From 6 weeks of age and 0.5 kg.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Approved for use.
Weight ranges: Kittens and Small Cats 0.5-2 kg; Medium and Large Cats over 2-8 kg.
Active ingredients: Milbemycin oxime and praziquantel.
Other considerations:
Can be given with or without food
Parasites Milbemax protects against
Heartworm when given monthly
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
Parasites not covered by Milbemax
Heartworm, if only used ever 3 months
Lungworm
Fleas
Ticks
Ear mites
Feline mange mites
Lice
ParaGard for Cats
Application: Liver-flavoured tablet.
Frequency: Depends on age and exposure risk.
Adult: Every 3 months.
Kittens: Treat according to weight at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age – thereafter every 3 months.
Breeding Queens: Treat during the mating period, during the gestation period, one week before birth and 3-4 weeks after birth.
Minimum age: From 2 weeks of age.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Studies have not been conducted in pregnant queens and therefore use of the product in those animals should be carefully considered.
Format: One tablet size; dose according to body weight.
Active ingredients: Praziquantel and oxibendazole.
Parasites ParaGard protects against
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
Parasites not covered by ParaGard
Heartworm
Lungworm
Fleas
Ticks
Mites
Lice
Profender
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Every 3 months.
Minimum age: From 8 weeks of age.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Approved for use.
Weight ranges: Medium Cats 2.5-5 kg; Large Cats over 5-8 kg.
Active ingredients: Emodepside and praziquantel.
Parasites Profender protects against
Lungworm
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
Parasites not covered by Profender
Heartworm
Fleas
Ticks
Mites
Lice
Cat flea control
Flea-control products can be useful when other parasites are covered separately or when recommended by your vet for an active flea problem that needs targeted treatment.
Compare cat flea-control products
Advantage | Capstar | Frontline Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
Application | Spot-on | Tablet | Spot-on |
Frequency | Monthly | One-off treatment | Monthly |
Duration of effect | Long-acting | Short-acting | Long-acting |
Fleas | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Flea larvae & pupae | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Lice | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Advantage for Cats
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Monthly.
Minimum age: From birth.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Approved for use.
Weight ranges: Small Cats and Kittens up to 4 kg; Cats over 4 kg.
Active ingredients: Imidacloprid.
Parasites Advantage for Cats protects against
Fleas
Flea larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Transmission of flea tapeworm through protection against fleas
Parasites not covered by Advantage for Cats
Ticks
Mites
Lice
Heartworm
Lungworm
Intestinal worms
Capstar
Application: Tablet.
Frequency: One-off dose for adult fleas on the cat at time of treatment. It does not provide ongoing protection and should be followed by a longer-lasting flea protection product, as well as implementing appropriate environmental flea control measures. Follow the label if another dose is needed.
Minimum age and weight: From 4 weeks of age and 0.5 kg.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Approved for use.
Weight range: Small Dogs and Cats 0.5-11 kg.
Active ingredient: Nitenpyram.
Other considerations:
Kills adult fleas for 24 hours only and does not provide ongoing protection.
Can be given with or without food.
Parasites Capstar protects against
Adult fleas for 24 hours only
Parasites not covered by Capstar
Flea larvae & pupae in the surrounding environment
Ticks
Mites
Lice
Heartworm
Lungworm
Intestinal worms
Frontline Plus
Application: Spot-on.
Frequency: Monthly.
Minimum age: From 8 weeks of age.
Safe for pregnant & lactating cats? Approved for use.
Weight ranges: One size, no minimum or maximum weight labelled.
Active ingredients: Fipronil and (S)-methoprene.
Other considerations:
Toxic to rabbits.
Parasites Frontline Plus for Cats protects against
Fleas
Flea larvae, pupae, and other life stages in the surrounding environment
Lice
Transmission of flea tapeworm through protection against fleas
Parasites not covered by Frontline Plus for Cats
Ticks
Mites
Heartworm
Lungworm
Intestinal worms
Keep your cat off the menu with regular flea, tick and worm protection
The right parasite protection for your cat is one you can give consistently and that covers the risks for your cat's age, weight, health, lifestyle and location.
Not sure which products are best for your pet? Your local Petbarn and Greencross Vets team members can help you understand which combination of products can help protect your pet.
Frequently asked questions about cat parasite protection
About the Author
Rebecca Daly BVScVeterinarian & Content Writer
After graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland in 2017, Rebecca spent two years working as an equine veterinarian in New Zealand. Upon returning to Australia, she completed a Bachelor of Communications from UQ in 2023. Rebecca is passionate about educating pet parents so they can provide the best lives for their pets. She is the pet parent of a cat named Edith, a domestic short hair adopted from a Petbarn Adoption Centre.
