If you want one product that quietly handles most of the parasites your cat will ever meet, Revolution for cats is the name your vet is most likely to mention. It has been prescribed for over twenty years, and its appeal is simple: one small tube, once a month, instead of a shelf of separate products.
This is not a sales page. This guide explains what Revolution actually covers, what it does not cover, the correct dosage for your cat’s weight, how to apply it without wasting a drop, and the side effects and safety rules that come with it.
You will also find an honest comparison with Revolution Plus, because for some cats, especially outdoor cats in tick country, the newer product is the better fit.
In this guide
What Is Revolution for Cats?
Revolution is a topical parasite treatment made by Zoetis. You may also see it sold under the name Stronghold in some countries. The active ingredient is selamectin, a medicine that kills parasites by attacking their nervous system while leaving mammals largely unaffected at the doses used.
It comes as a small, single-dose tube of clear liquid. There are no pills to hide in food and no sprays. Because it is a prescription product, your vet will want your cat’s current weight and, in heartworm regions, may test for existing heartworm infection before the first dose.
What Does Revolution Protect Cats Against?
One monthly application covers five problems at once:
- Fleas. It kills adult fleas on the cat and prevents flea eggs from hatching, which breaks the flea life cycle in your home over time.
- Heartworm disease. It prevents the heartworm larvae passed by mosquito bites from developing. In cats, heartworm disease is uncommon but can be fatal, and there is no approved treatment for infected cats, so prevention carries real weight.
- Ear mites. It treats and controls ear mite infestations, which makes it a common prescription in ear mites in cats ears cases.
- Roundworms. It treats and controls the most common intestinal roundworm of cats.
- Hookworms. It treats and controls intestinal hookworms, which matter most in kittens, where heavy burdens can cause anemia.
Just as important is what the classic Revolution does not cover: ticks. If ticks are a real risk where you live, read the Revolution Plus comparison below before you decide.
How Does Selamectin Work?
After you apply the liquid to the skin, selamectin passes through the skin into the bloodstream. From the blood it spreads into the tissues, which is how it reaches intestinal worms and the heartworm larvae in the tissues. It also moves back out into the skin and hair coat, which is how it meets fleas and ear mites where they live and feed.
Parasites that feed on the cat take in the drug and become paralyzed, then die. Protection builds over the first day or two and holds for a full month, which is why the schedule is one tube, same date, every month. Bathing two hours or more after application does not wash the protection away, because by then the drug is inside the skin, not sitting on it.
Revolution Dosage Chart by Weight
Dose is set by weight band. Using a tube that is too small underdoses your cat and leaves gaps in protection, so weigh her before you order:
| Cat weight | Pack colour | Selamectin per tube | Tube volume | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 lbs (2.3 kg) | Pink | 15 mg | 0.25 mL | Once a month |
| 5.1 to 15 lbs (2.4 to 6.8 kg) | Blue | 45 mg | 0.75 mL | Once a month |
| Over 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | Combination of tubes | As advised by your vet | As advised | Once a month |
Table 1: Revolution for cats dosage by weight, with pack colours and tube sizes.
Kittens must be at least 8 weeks old. There is no minimum weight requirement beyond the age rule, but a tiny kitten belongs in the pink pack. If your cat sits close to a boundary, ask your vet which band to use, and recheck her weight every few months, because growing cats change bands quickly.
How to Apply Revolution: Step by Step
Application takes under a minute once you know the moves:
- Prepare the tube. Hold it upright and press the cap down firmly until you hear a click. The cap has punctured the seal. Remove the cap and check the tip is open.
- Part the fur. At the base of the neck, just in front of the shoulder blades, part the hair until you can see skin. This spot is chosen because your cat cannot reach it to lick.
- Apply to the skin. Touch the tube tip to the skin and squeeze three or four times in the same spot until the tube is empty. Keep the tube squeezed as you lift it away, so liquid is not drawn back in.
- Check and finish. Confirm the tube is fully empty, throw it away safely, and wash your hands. Avoid touching the wet spot until it dries.
- Repeat monthly. Mark the date. If you are late, apply the dose as soon as you remember, then continue monthly from there. Never apply a double dose to catch up.
Revolution vs Revolution Plus: What Is the Difference?
Revolution Plus is a cats-only upgrade that adds a second active ingredient, sarolaner, to the same selamectin base. The practical differences:
| Feature | Revolution (selamectin) | Revolution Plus (selamectin + sarolaner) |
|---|---|---|
| Fleas | Kills adults, stops eggs hatching | Kills adults faster, stops eggs hatching |
| Ticks | Not covered | Covers four tick species, including deer ticks |
| Ear mites | Treats and controls | Treats and controls, dual action |
| Heartworm | Prevents | Prevents |
| Roundworms and hookworms | Treats and controls | Treats and controls |
| Flea tapeworm | Not listed | Helps prevent flea tapeworm infection |
| Who it suits | Most indoor and low tick risk cats | Outdoor cats and tick regions |
| Caution | Standard label cautions | Extra caution in cats with a history of neurological disorders (sarolaner) |
Table 2: Revolution for cats compared with Revolution Plus, feature by feature.
For a strictly indoor cat in a low tick area, classic Revolution usually covers everything that matters at a lower cost. For a cat that roams fields and woods, the tick cover in Plus earns its price.
Side Effects and Safety Rules
Revolution has a long safety record, and most cats show no reaction at all. The side effects reported most often are temporary hair loss at the application site, sometimes with mild redness or flaking, and occasional digestive upset such as drooling (usually from licking the wet spot) or a brief loss of appetite.
Follow the label rules and most problems never arise. Do not use it on kittens under 8 weeks, or on cats that are sick, weak or underweight. It is for the skin only, never by mouth. Per the product label, it can be used in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats, and in heartworm positive cats. Keep it away from children, store it below 30°C (86°F), and remember it is flammable until dry, so keep your cat away from open flames right after application. If your cat has ever reacted badly to a parasite product, tell your vet before the first dose.
Is Revolution Right for Your Cat?
Revolution suits the majority of cats well: indoor cats that need flea, worm and ear mite cover without pills; multi-pet homes where one missed product creates a gap; and owners who want heartworm prevention built into a product they already use. If your cat hunts, roams tick country, or has reacted to selamectin before, talk to your vet about Revolution Plus or an alternative. The best product is the one that matches your cat’s actual risks and that you will genuinely apply every month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do you give Revolution for cats?
Once a month, on roughly the same date, all year round. One tube protects for about thirty days. If you miss the date, apply the dose as soon as you remember and continue monthly from that new date. Never give two tubes at once to make up for a missed month.
What is the difference between Revolution and Revolution Plus?
Revolution Plus adds sarolaner to the same selamectin base. That addition brings tick cover for four tick species, faster flea killing, and help against flea tapeworm. Classic Revolution covers fleas, heartworm, ear mites, roundworms and hookworms, but not ticks. Plus is cats only, and it carries an extra caution for cats with a history of neurological disorders.
Does Revolution kill flea eggs or just adult fleas?
Both jobs are covered. Selamectin kills adult fleas on the cat and prevents flea eggs from hatching. That second action is what clears a home infestation over one to three months, because the eggs and larvae already in carpets and bedding fail to produce the next generation of fleas.
Is Revolution safe for kittens and pregnant cats?
Kittens can start from 8 weeks of age, using the pink weight band tube. According to the product label, Revolution can be used in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats, and in heartworm positive cats. Do not use it on kittens younger than 8 weeks, or on any cat that is sick, weak or underweight, without your vet’s advice.
Can I bathe my cat after applying Revolution?
Yes, once the product has had time to absorb. Bathing two hours or more after application does not reduce its effectiveness, because the selamectin is taken up into the skin rather than sitting on the surface. Try to keep the application spot dry for those first two hours, and let it dry fully before close cuddling with small children.
Conclusion
Revolution for cats earns its reputation honestly: one small monthly tube, five parasite problems handled, and a safety record built over more than twenty years of use. Weigh your cat, pick the right band, apply it to the skin at the base of the neck, and repeat monthly. If ticks are part of your cat’s world, step up to Revolution Plus. Either way, steady monthly protection beats every emergency treatment.
