Revolution vs. Revolution Plus for Cats: A Comprehensive Guide

Cat owners often struggle to choose the right parasite prevention, especially when comparing Revolution and Revolution Plus. While both protect against fleas, heartworms, and other parasites, they have key differences that affect their effectiveness. This guide explains how they work, their benefits, and which option is best for your cat.

What Is Revolution for Cats?

Many cat owners need an easy-to-use flea and parasite treatment that covers multiple threats. Revolution is a monthly topical medication that protects against common feline parasites, making it a reliable choice for many households.

What Parasites Does Revolution Treat?

Revolution eliminates fleas, ear mites, heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms, reducing the risk of severe health complications. For cats exposed to these parasites, Revolution provides consistent protection.

How Is Revolution Applied?

This once-a-month topical solution is applied to the skin at the base of the cat’s neck. It absorbs quickly and provides continuous protection for 30 days, eliminating the need for multiple treatments.

Who Should Use Revolution?

Revolution is suitable for cats and kittens 8 weeks or older. If your cat is primarily indoors but still at risk for fleas, mites, or heartworms, Revolution offers broad-spectrum protection without added ingredients.

What Is Revolution Plus for Cats?

Some pet owners worry about tick infestations, especially in outdoor or multi-pet households. Revolution Plus provides an upgraded formula that expands protection to include ticks, a growing concern in many regions.

What Does Revolution Plus Protect Against?

Revolution Plus covers all the parasites that Revolution treats but adds tick prevention. It is effective against the Blacklegged Tick, Gulf Coast Tick, and American Dog Tick, reducing the risk of tick-borne diseases.

Why Choose Revolution Plus?

For cat owners in areas where ticks are common, Revolution Plus provides extra security. The addition of sarolaner, an ingredient that kills ticks, makes it a stronger option for full parasite control.

Who Can Use Revolution Plus?

This treatment is only for cats 8 weeks or older weighing at least 2.8 lbs. The weight requirement is important, as smaller kittens may not tolerate the formula as well.

Key Differences: Revolution vs. Revolution Plus

Choosing between Revolution and Revolution Plus depends on your cat’s needs. While both treatments target fleas, heartworms, and common parasites, Revolution Plus offers extended protection against ticks. The addition of sarolaner in Revolution Plus makes it a broader-spectrum treatment.

Comparison Table: Revolution vs. Revolution Plus

Revolution is a great general-use parasite control, while Revolution Plus is ideal for cats at risk of ticks. If your cat frequently roams outside or lives in a tick-heavy region, Revolution Plus may be the better option.

How Do the Active Ingredients Work?

The key difference between these two treatments is sarolaner, which enhances Revolution Plus’s ability to kill ticks. Understanding how each ingredient works can help you make an informed choice.

Selamectin (Found in Both Products)

1. Targets fleas, heartworms, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms.
2. Works by paralyzing and killing parasites by disrupting their nervous system.
3. Applied topically, then absorbed into the skin and bloodstream.
4. Offers continuous protection for 30 days.

Sarolaner (Only in Revolution Plus)

1. Specifically kills ticks, including the Blacklegged Tick, Gulf Coast Tick, and American Dog Tick.
2. Works by blocking nerve signals in ticks, leading to paralysis and death.
3. Provides faster flea and tick killing power than selamectin alone.

Since sarolaner is an isoxazoline, some cats with a history of neurological disorders should use Revolution Plus with caution. Consult your veterinarian if your cat has seizures or other nervous system conditions.

Effectiveness Against Parasites

Flea and Tick Protection

Both Revolution and Revolution Plus eliminate fleas effectively. However, Revolution Plus works faster and includes tick prevention, making it more comprehensive for cats in tick-heavy areas.

Heartworm Prevention

Both products protect against heartworms, a deadly parasite spread by mosquitoes. Since there is no treatment for feline heartworm disease, prevention is essential.

Ear Mite, Roundworm, and Hookworm Control

Both products are equally effective against these parasites, making them a strong choice for multi-parasite protection.

Revolution Plus provides a wider spectrum of protection, making it the best option for cats exposed to ticks. However, if ticks are not a concern, Revolution provides the same flea and heartworm protection at a potentially lower cost.

Side Effects of Revolution for Cats

Revolution is generally well-tolerated, but some cats may experience mild to moderate reactions after application.

Common Side Effects

1. Temporary hair loss at the application site
2. Mild skin irritation or redness
3. Excessive grooming at the application site
4. Lethargy or decreased activity
5. Loss of appetite

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

1. Vomiting or diarrhea (may indicate sensitivity)
2. Tremors or incoordination (rare but possible)
3. Increased salivation (often due to licking the medication)
4. Breathing difficulties (requires immediate vet attention)

Most mild side effects resolve within 24–48 hours. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a veterinarian.

Side Effects of Revolution Plus for Cats

Revolution Plus includes sarolaner, which enhances tick protection but also introduces a slightly higher risk of neurological side effects.

Common Side Effects

1. Temporary hair loss or irritation at the application site
2. Lethargy or drowsiness
3. Vomiting or diarrhea
4. Excessive drooling (if ingested)

Neurological Reactions (Rare but Serious)

Because sarolaner is part of the isoxazoline class, some cats may be more sensitive to it, especially those with a history of seizures or neurological conditions. Watch for:

1. Muscle tremors or twitching
2. Loss of coordination (stumbling or weakness)
3. Seizures (rare but possible)

If your cat has a known history of neurological issues, consult your vet before using Revolution Plus.

How Long Do Side Effects Last?

For both Revolution and Revolution Plus, mild reactions like skin irritation or lethargy typically subside within 24–48 hours.

1. If symptoms persist beyond 48 hours, or if severe reactions (seizures, excessive vomiting, breathing issues) occur, seek veterinary care immediately.
2. Side effects may be more noticeable in first-time users or smaller cats.

Which Product Is Right for Your Cat?

Choosing between Revolution and Revolution Plus depends on your cat’s lifestyle, parasite risk, and medical history. Below is a breakdown of which product may be the best fit.

Best for Indoor Cats

1. Revolution: Provides protection against fleas, heartworms, and common intestinal parasites. Suitable for cats with minimal exposure to ticks.
2. Revolution Plus: Adds tick protection, making it a better choice if your cat occasionally ventures outside or if ticks are a concern in your area.

Best for Outdoor Cats

1. Revolution Plus: Offers broader protection, especially against ticks, which are more likely to affect outdoor cats.
2. Revolution: May be sufficient if your cat is primarily exposed to fleas and heartworms rather than ticks.

Best for Cats with Sensitive Skin or Neurological Conditions

1. Revolution: The safer option for cats with a history of seizures or neurological disorders, as it does not contain sarolaner.
2. Revolution Plus: Use with caution in cats with neurological sensitivity, as isoxazolines (sarolaner) have been linked to tremors and seizures in rare cases.

Best for Multi-Cat Households

1. Revolution: If all cats in the household are strictly indoors, Revolution may provide adequate protection.
2. Revolution Plus: If some cats go outside or interact with outdoor animals, using Revolution Plus may help prevent flea and tick infestations from spreading indoors.

Best for Cats in High-Risk Tick Areas

1. Revolution Plus: Provides tick prevention, making it the better choice in regions where ticks are prevalent.

Comprehensive Comparison Table

Frequently Asked Questions: Revolution vs. Revolution Plus

Which Is Better: Revolution or Revolution Plus?

It depends on your cat’s specific needs. Revolution is effective against fleas, heartworms, and intestinal parasites, making it a solid choice for indoor cats. Revolution Plus offers tick protection, making it the better option for cats that go outdoors or live in tick-heavy areas. If your cat has neurological sensitivities, Revolution may be the safer choice.

Is Revolution Plus Necessary?

If your cat is strictly indoors and doesn’t have exposure to ticks, Revolution may be enough. However, if your cat spends time outside, has exposure to other animals, or lives in a tick-prone region, Revolution Plus provides an extra layer of protection against ticks and fleas.

Is Revolution Flea Treatment Better Than Advantage?

Both Revolution and Advantage are effective against fleas, but Revolution also prevents heartworms and treats intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms. If you're looking for broader parasite protection, Revolution is the better choice.

What Is the Difference Between Revolution Plus and Frontline Plus?

Revolution Plus protects against heartworms and intestinal parasites, while Frontline Plus focuses primarily on fleas and ticks. If you need heartworm prevention, Revolution Plus is the better option.

What Is Better Than Frontline Plus?

Revolution Plus is a stronger alternative because it covers heartworms, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms—things Frontline Plus does not protect against. If your main concern is fleas and ticks only, then Frontline Plus may be enough.

Does Revolution Repel Mosquitoes?

No, Revolution does not repel mosquitoes. However, it prevents heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.

What Is the Number 1 Mosquito Repellent?

For cats, there is no approved mosquito repellent. The best prevention is indoor living and using a heartworm-preventative like Revolution or Revolution Plus.

How Long Does Revolution Last?

Both Revolution and Revolution Plus last for 30 days per application. They should be reapplied monthly for continuous protection.

Which Is Safer: Revolution or NexGard?

Revolution is considered safer for cats with neurological conditions because NexGard (afoxolaner) belongs to the isoxazoline class, which can cause seizures in some animals. If your cat has neurological sensitivities, Revolution is the safer option.

Is Revolution Plus FDA Approved?

Yes, Revolution Plus is FDA-approved for the prevention of fleas, ticks, ear mites, heartworms, and intestinal parasites in cats.

How Long Does It Take Revolution Plus to Start Working?

Revolution Plus starts killing fleas within 6 hours and provides full parasite protection within 24 hours after application.

Is Revolution Plus Waterproof?

Yes, but it is recommended to wait 24 hours before bathing your cat after applying Revolution Plus to ensure full absorption.

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