Bravecto for Dogs and Cats

PetMD’s medications content is written and reviewed by veterinary professionals to answer common questions about how medications work, their side effects, and what species they are prescribed for. This content should not replace advice from your veterinarian. 

What Is Bravecto Used for in Dogs and Cats?

Bravecto is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent flea and tick infestations. It comes in several formulations and strengths, including an oral chew for dogs and topical options for dogs and cats. 

Because Bravecto products are dosed by species and weight, use the correct product and strength for your pet. Using cat medications on dogs or using dog medications on cats can cause serious problems, including lack of efficiency or an overdose. 

Bravecto for Dogs 

Bravecto is a flavored chewable tablet for dogs 6 months of age and older weighing more than 4.4 pounds. If your puppy is younger than 6 months but older than ​​eight​​ weeks, ask your veterinarian about Bravecto 1-Month instead. 

Bravecto kills and controls several tick species for up to 12 weeks, including the black-legged tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick. It controls Lone Star ticks for eight weeks. If Lone Star ticks are common in your area, your veterinarian may recommend dosing every eight weeks. 

How Bravecto® Works

Bravecto 1-Month for Dogs 

Bravecto 1-Month is a flavored chewable tablet that uses a lower dose of fluralaner than Bravecto, which allows for use in younger dogs. Bravecto 1-Month is approved for puppies and dogs 8 weeks of age and older weighing 4.4 pounds or greater. Bravecto 1-Month has the same flea and tick coverage as Bravecto. 

Your veterinarian may switch your puppy from Bravecto 1-Month to Bravecto once they reach 6 months of age. 

Bravecto Topical Solution for Dogs and Cats 

Bravecto Topical Solution provides protection against fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks in dogs and cats. Do not give this medication by mouth. 

In dogs, apply Bravecto Topical Solution to the skin of puppies and dogs 6 months of age and older weighing more than 4.4 pounds. 

In dogs, Bravecto Topical Solution kills and controls the black-legged tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick for up to 12 weeks. It controls Lone Star ticks for eight weeks. If Lone Star ticks are common in your area, your veterinarian may recommend dosing every eight weeks. 

In cats, Bravecto Topical Solution kills adult fleas and helps prevent flea infestations for 12 weeks. It controls black-legged ticks for 12 weeks and American dog ticks for eight weeks. 

Apply Bravecto Topical Solution to the skin of cats 6 months of age and older weighing at least 2.6 pounds. 

Bravecto Plus for Cats 

Bravecto Plus combines fluralaner with moxidectin. In addition to controlling fleas and ticks, Bravecto Plus helps prevent heartworm disease and treats and controls roundworms and hookworms in cats. 

Moxidectin helps prevent heartworm disease by killing immature heartworms. It also treats certain intestinal parasites, including roundworms and hookworms. In cats, fluralaner kills adult fleas and helps prevent flea infestations for ​​eight​​ weeks. 

Bravecto Considerations for Dogs and Cats

The manufacturer has tested Bravecto for safety in dogs with the MDR1 mutation and did not observe adverse effects. Based on that testing, dogs with the MDR1 mutation are not considered at increased risk for adverse effects from Bravecto. 

Your veterinarian may run a heartworm test before prescribing Bravecto Plus, since serious side effects have been reported in cats with heartworm disease. 

How Does Bravecto Work in Dogs and Cats?

The active ingredient in Bravecto is fluralaner. Bravecto belongs to the isoxazoline class of flea and tick preventives. 

Fleas and ticks ingest fluralaner when they bite. It kills them by overstimulating their nervous system, leading to paralysis and death. In dogs and cats, Bravecto starts working within the first few hours after administration to kill fleas on your pet. 

By reducing fleas, Bravecto can help minimize itching and skin irritation associated with flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats. 

Veterinarians may also prescribe Bravecto extra-label to treat demodectic mange and sarcoptic mange in dogs and sarcoptic mange in cats. Extra-label use means a veterinarian is prescribing a medication in a way that isn’t listed on the label. Your veterinarian will decide whether this use is appropriate for your dog or cat. 

How Do You Give Bravecto to Dogs and Cats?

Follow the directions on the drug label or as provided by your veterinarian. 

• Most dogs take the Bravecto flavored chew willingly. If not, hide it in a small amount of food. 

• Give Bravecto and Bravecto 1-Month ​chews ​with a meal, not on an empty stomach. 

What Happens If You Miss a Dose of Bravecto? 

Speak with your veterinarian about what to do if a dose is missed.  

Generally, your vet may instruct you to give it when you remember and resume your normal dosing schedule. 

Do not give extra or double doses. 

If a significant amount of time has passed since the last dose, your pet may be temporarily unprotected against fleas and ticks. If you use Bravecto Plus for cats, this gap may also reduce protection against heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms. 

What Are the Side Effects of Bravecto in Dogs and Cats?

Most dogs and cats tolerate Bravecto well. 

Possible side effects of Bravecto may include: 

• Vomiting 

• Decreased appetite 

• Diarrhea 

• Decreased energy (lethargy) 

Additional side effects reported with Bravecto or Bravecto 1-Month may include: 

• Increased thirst 

• Flatulence (gas) 

Additional side effects reported with Bravecto Topical Solution or Bravecto Plus may include: 

• Itching 

• Dry skin 

• Excessive drooling 

Neurologic side effects have been reported after using isoxazoline medications. Tell your veterinarian if your dog or cat has a history of seizures or other neurologic disease. Neurologic side effects may include: 

• Muscle tremors 

• Stumbling, lack of coordination 

• Collapse 

• Seizures 

Human Side Effects 

This medication is not for use in humans. Do not take medication dispensed for your pet, and do not give pets medication dispensed for humans. 

Wash your hands after giving or applying this medication. Avoid contact with the treated area on your pet, and do not let children touch the application site until the area is completely dry. 

If you accidentally ingest a pet medication or get the topical formulation of this medication in your eyes, seek medical attention or call Poison Control at 800-222-1222. 

Monitoring Your Pet 

No specific monitoring is required for this medication, but your veterinarian may recommend routine testing depending on your pet's individual needs, other medications that may be prescribed, and/or the issue that initially caused your pet to be placed on this medication. 

Your veterinarian may perform a heartworm test before prescribing Bravecto Plus because serious side effects have been seen in cats with heartworm disease. 

When Should You Call Your Veterinarian? 

Call your veterinarian if you see any of the following, or if you have additional questions or concerns about the use of Bravecto: 

• Severe side effects 

• Your pet’s condition worsens or does not improve  

• You suspect an overdose 

What Happens If a Pet Overdoses on Bravecto?

Bravecto has a wide margin of safety. 

If a pet receives a large oral overdose, signs may include diarrhea or tremors. 

If a pet accidentally ingests the topical product, they may drool excessively.  

If you suspect an overdose or gave the topical product by mouth, seek emergency veterinary care or contact an animal poison control center. Consultation fees may apply. 

• Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661 

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435 

How Should Bravecto Be Stored for Dogs and Cats?

Keep these storage tips in mind: 

• Store Bravecto and Bravecto 1-Month at controlled temperatures below 86 F (30 C). 

• Keep Bravecto Topical Solution and Bravecto Plus away from sparks, heat, open flames, and other sources of ignition. These products are highly flammable. 

• Store Bravecto Plus and Bravecto Topical Solution at or below 77 F (25 C). 

• Keep the medication in the provided blister packs until you’re ready to use it. This helps protect it from moisture and light. 

• Keep the medication out of reach of children and pets.