Advocate for Cats
Prices, Coverage & Alternatives
Comprehensive monthly flea and worm protection for cats. Covers fleas, worms, lungworm and ear mites in one spot-on. Save up to 45% buying online.
Buy Advocate at UK pharmacy prices
UK registered pharmacies dispense the same Advocate your vet prescribes, often for less. Ask your vet for a written prescription (capped at £21 under the CMA Order, from 2027), then fill it online.
Affiliate link to The Pharm Pet Co., a UK registered veterinary pharmacy. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Always follow your vet's guidance on medication choice and dosing.
What is Advocate
for Cats?
Advocate for cats is a prescription-only spot-on treatment combining imidacloprid (a flea killer) and moxidectin (an anti-parasitic). Manufactured by Elanco, it provides broad-spectrum protection against both external and internal parasites in a single monthly application.
The cat formulation comes in two weight bands: small cats (up to 4 kg) and large cats (4-8 kg). Applied to the back of the neck where the cat cannot lick it, imidacloprid spreads across the skin killing fleas on contact within 12 hours, while moxidectin enters the bloodstream to target internal parasites including roundworms, hookworms and lungworm.
Advocate is particularly valued for cats because it also treats and prevents ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), which are extremely common in cats, especially kittens and outdoor cats. It is also one of the only products licensed to treat feline lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus).
Treats and prevents ear mites — very common in kittens
One application every 4 weeks for continuous protection
Does NOT cover ticks or tapeworms
Parasite Coverage
Covered
- • Fleas (kills adults on contact, no bite needed)
- • Flea larvae in the environment
- • Roundworms (Toxocara cati)
- • Hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme)
- • Lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus)
- • Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)
- • Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis)
NOT Covered
- • Ticks (rarely a concern for indoor cats)
- • Tapeworms (need praziquantel, e.g. Droncit or Milbemax)
Tip: If your cat is an outdoor hunter, add a quarterly Droncit or Milbemax tablet for tapeworm cover. Indoor cats rarely need tapeworm treatment unless they have had fleas.
Advocate Weight Bands for Cats
Application: Part the fur at the base of the skull (back of the neck) and apply the entire contents of the pipette directly onto the skin. Do not apply to fur. Prevent the cat from grooming the area until dry. Safe for kittens from 9 weeks and 1 kg body weight.
Side Effects & Warnings
Common Side Effects
- • Temporary skin irritation at application site
- • Excessive grooming or scratching
- • Drooling or foaming if the cat licks the product
- • Greasy fur at application site
Rare Side Effects
- • Vomiting (usually from licking the product)
- • Lethargy lasting more than 24 hours
- • Muscle tremors (very rare)
- • Hair loss at application site
Important Warnings
Multi-cat households: Keep cats separated until the product dries to prevent them grooming each other and ingesting the product. Ingestion causes drooling and can cause vomiting.
Not for kittens under 9 weeks: Or weighing less than 1 kg. Use the small cat pipette for kittens 9 weeks to 4 kg.
Do not use dog formulation: Always use the cat-specific product. The concentrations differ between dog and cat versions.
Advocate Price Comparison
Advocate Small Cat (up to 4 kg) — 3 pipettes
Advocate Large Cat (4-8 kg) — 3 pipettes
Advocate Small Cat — 6 pipettes
Advocate Large Cat — 6 pipettes
Alternatives to Advocate for Cats
Broadline (Fipronil/Methoprene/Eprinomectin/Praziquantel)
Spot-on covering fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms AND tapeworms. The most comprehensive feline spot-on available. More expensive than Advocate but covers tapeworms too.
Stronghold Plus (Selamectin/Sarolaner)
Monthly spot-on covering fleas, ticks, ear mites, roundworms and heartworm. Covers ticks (which Advocate does not) but does not cover lungworm. Good for cats in tick-risk areas.
Bravecto Plus for Cats (Fluralaner/Moxidectin)
Spot-on lasting 12 weeks for fleas and ticks, plus roundworms and heartworm. Fewer applications per year but more expensive per dose. Good for cats that resist monthly applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Advocate protects cats against fleas, flea larvae, roundworms, hookworms, lungworm, heartworm and ear mites. It does not cover ticks or tapeworms.
A 3-pipette pack costs £25-£45 at a vet practice or £16-£30 online with a prescription. A 6-pipette pack offers better value at £32-£50 online.
No. Dog and cat formulations have different concentrations. Always use the cat-specific product to avoid overdose or underdose.
Yes. It is POM-V in the UK. Your vet must offer you a prescription (maximum £21 fee) that you can use at any UK-registered online retailer.
No. For indoor cats this is rarely a concern. Outdoor cats in tick-risk areas may need Stronghold Plus or Bravecto Plus which cover ticks.
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We may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Save on Advocate for your cat
Compare prices from UK-registered online retailers. Get a prescription from your vet and save up to 45%.