Advocate for cats is a monthly spot-on with imidacloprid and moxidectin that prevents heartworm, kills fleas, and treats common mites and worms.
If you typed “Advocate For Cats – What Is It?” you’re after a plain, accurate rundown. This guide explains what the product is, how it works, what it covers, how to dose it, and the small print that keeps cats safe. You’ll also see when it helps most, where it falls short, and how to apply it cleanly.
Your Questions Answered: What Is Advocate For Cats?
Advocate is a once-monthly, topical (spot-on) veterinary medicine for cats. It combines two actives: imidacloprid (a contact flea killer) and moxidectin (a macrocyclic lactone that targets internal and tissue parasites). In many regions it’s sold as “Advocate”; in the United States a matching formulation is marketed as “Advantage Multi for cats.” Both deliver broad parasite control when used on label.
On label claims include flea control, ear mite treatment, roundworm and hookworm treatment, prevention of heartworm, and coverage of select lungworms. Some packs also list treatment for notoedric mange and eyeworm. These claims come from the product license and may vary by country and pack size.
How Advocate Works Inside And Out
Two Actives, Two Jobs
Imidacloprid spreads in skin oils and kills adult fleas on contact. It also targets larval stages in the coat and household environment when they contact treated hair. Fleas don’t need to bite to be affected.
Moxidectin soaks through skin into circulation at low dose. It blocks nerve signaling in target parasites, which helps prevent heartworm, treats ear mites, roundworm, hookworm, and listed lungworms.
Why Monthly Dosing Matters
Fleas hatch in waves and mosquitoes keep moving. Monthly dosing keeps actives high enough, long enough, to intercept new exposure. Skipping months opens a window where larvae develop, mites persist, or heartworm larvae can settle.
Coverage At A Glance (Monthly Use)
The table below shows common targets on Advocate labels for cats. Always check the exact pack you use.
| Parasite | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) | Kills, prevents | Adult kill on contact; helps FAD strategies |
| Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis) | Treats | Single dose often clears; re-check ears |
| Notoedric Mange (Notoedres cati) | Treats | On label in many regions |
| Roundworm (Toxocara cati) | Treats | Immature and adult stages covered |
| Hookworm (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) | Treats | Immature and adult stages covered |
| Lungworms (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) | Prevents, treats | L3/L4 prevention; adult treatment listed |
| Lungworm (Eucoleus aerophilus) | Treats | Adult stage on label in many packs |
| Eyeworm (Thelazia callipaeda) | Treats | Adult stage listed on some labels |
| Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) | Prevents | Monthly protection; test status as advised by your vet |
If you want the official wording, see the EMA product information and the U.S. DailyMed label for Advantage Multi for cats. Those pages list the precise claims and directions tied to each market.
What Is Advocate For Cats Used For – Practical Scenarios
Indoor Cats
Indoor cats still meet fleas carried in on clothing or other pets. Mosquitoes get indoors through doors and screens, so heartworm prevention still matters even in apartments.
Flea Allergy Households
For cats with flea allergy dermatitis, fast knockdown and steady suppression of new adults reduces flare-ups. Advocate fits well into FAD plans, along with deep cleaning and vacuuming to cut environmental stages.
Cats In High Worm Areas
Where roundworm and hookworm are common, monthly moxidectin treats new intestinal stages before they build up. Kittens and hunters benefit from this steady reset, paired with litter hygiene and routine checks.
Cats With Ear Crusting Or Head Shakes
Otodectes ear mites cause dark debris and itching. Advocate targets mites across both ears. A quick otoscopic exam rules out polyps or yeast overgrowth that may need extra care.
Lungworm Risk
Snail or slug exposure, raw prey, or outdoor hunting brings lungworm risk. The label for Advocate includes prevention for Aelurostrongylus larvae and treatment of adult stages; monthly dosing keeps pressure on the life cycle.
Safety, Age, And Weight Limits
Advocate is for cats and ferrets; use the cat pack only on cats. Do not use in kittens under 9 weeks. Dose by weight using the correct pipette size. Apply to skin at the base of the skull where a cat can’t lick. Let the spot dry before petting or pairing cats together.
Topical use may cause brief itch, a patch of greasy hair, or mild redness. A few cats drool if they lick the site—the solution tastes bitter. Rarely, licking may trigger short-lived tremors or wobbly steps. Place the dose where tongues can’t reach and separate housemates until dry.
Bathing: the label allows brief water contact between doses, but frequent shampooing or soaking after application can reduce effect. If your routine includes regular baths, plan timing so the product stays on long enough to work.
Breeding, pregnancy, and lactation: some labels say the use isn’t recommended in breeding animals or during pregnancy and lactation. If this applies to your cat, ask your vet for a plan that fits your household.
How To Apply Advocate Cleanly
Simple Steps
- Weigh your cat to pick the correct pipette.
- Hold the tube upright. Twist off the cap.
- Part the hair at the base of the skull until skin is visible.
- Place the tip on skin. Squeeze the full dose on one spot.
- Keep the area dry and out of reach until fully dry.
Helpful Habits
Dose on the same date each month. Set a calendar reminder. If you miss a dose, apply when you remember, then return to your monthly schedule. Store tubes in the carton, away from heat and children.
What Advocate Does Not Cover
Ticks: many Advocate cat labels don’t list tick kill. If ticks are a problem where you live, pair Advocate with a tick product that is safe for cats and plays well with moxidectin/imidacloprid. Your vet can match products to local parasites.
Tapeworms: Dipylidium caninum and Taenia species aren’t on most Advocate cat labels. Praziquantel is the usual add-on for tapeworm treatment. Use de-flea steps for pets and bedding to cut reinfection from flea-carried tapeworm larvae.
Existing heartworm adults: Advocate prevents heartworm but does not clear adult worms in cats. Testing and supportive care may be needed if infection is suspected.
Choosing Between Advocate And Similar Products
Products based on selamectin, eprinomectin, or milbemycin also protect cats. The main swing factors are flea speed, tick coverage, worm spectrum, and dose form. Advocate stands out for contact kill of fleas plus moxidectin’s range on mites and nematodes. If ticks are a steady issue, a separate tick tool may still be needed.
Real-World Dosing Guide
Use the pack that matches body weight. The dose is topical, once monthly, with a minimum of 10 mg/kg imidacloprid and 1 mg/kg moxidectin. Here’s a quick map you can read at a glance:
| Weight Range (Cat) | Advocate Pack | Label Dose Summary |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 4 kg | Small Cats (0.4 mL) | 40 mg imidacloprid + 4 mg moxidectin; apply monthly |
| > 4–8 kg | Large Cats (0.8 mL) | 80 mg imidacloprid + 8 mg moxidectin; apply monthly |
| > 8 kg | Use a combo of tubes | Combine pipettes to reach dose; place on one site |
| Age Limit | From 9 weeks | Do not use in younger kittens |
When A Vet Visit Is Wise
See a vet for ear discharge that persists, cough or fast breathing, pale gums, repeated weight loss, or worms seen on stool despite regular dosing. These signs point to a problem outside the scope of a single spot-on and call for exams or lab tests.
Key Takeaways: Advocate For Cats – What Is It?
➤ Monthly spot-on with broad parasite cover.
➤ Two actives: imidacloprid + moxidectin.
➤ Treats mites and common intestinal worms.
➤ Prevents heartworm; year-round use is common.
➤ Dose by weight; start from 9 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does An Indoor-Only Cat Still Need Heartworm Prevention?
Yes. Mosquitoes enter homes through screens and doors, so indoor cats can be exposed. Monthly prevention with a topical that includes moxidectin keeps risk low all year.
Many vets follow national heartworm guidance that backs year-round prevention for cats. It pairs well with flea control and routine checks.
Can I Bathe My Cat After Applying Advocate?
Let the spot dry fully before bathing or swimming. Brief water contact between doses has little effect, but frequent shampooing or soaking soon after dosing can reduce performance.
If a bath is needed, time it a few days before the next scheduled dose rather than right after application.
What If My Cat Licks The Application Site?
The solution tastes bitter, so drooling is common. Some cats may show short-lived wobbliness or tremors after licking. Place the dose at the base of the skull and separate pets until dry.
If signs don’t settle, call your vet clinic for advice and timing of the next dose.
Does Advocate Kill Ticks On Cats?
Most Advocate cat labels don’t list tick kill. If ticks are active where you live, add a tick-specific cat product that is compatible with moxidectin/imidacloprid.
Your clinic can suggest a safe pairing and a schedule that avoids overlap.
Does Advocate Treat Tapeworms?
No. Tapeworms usually need praziquantel. Many clinics offer a tapeworm dose when fleas are present, since flea ingestion is a common route for Dipylidium.
Pair tapeworm treatment with flea control for pets and bedding to limit reinfection.
Wrapping It Up – Advocate For Cats – What Is It?
“Advocate For Cats – What Is It?” has a simple answer: a monthly, skin-applied combo that knocks down fleas, treats ear mites and common intestinal worms, helps with listed lungworms, and prevents heartworm. Dose by weight, keep to a steady schedule, and place it where tongues can’t reach. If your area has ticks or tapeworm pressure, add the right partner product. For exact claims in your market, check your carton and the official label pages linked above.