Bravecto® for Dogs and Cats

PetMD’s medications content was written and reviewed by veterinary professionals to answer your most common questions about how medications function, their side effects, and what species they are prescribed for. This content shouldn’t take the place of advice by your vet.

What Is Bravecto® For Dogs and Cats?

Bravecto® is a medication used to treat and prevent flea and tick infestations. It is available in several formulations and strengths, including an oral form that is for dogs only and a topical form that can be used in dogs and cats.

This medication is dosed separately for dogs and cats and is administered based on weight, so it is important to use the appropriate medication for the correct species. Using cat medications on dogs or using dog medications on cats can cause serious problems, including lack of efficacy or an overdose.

Bravecto® is a prescription medication and is not available over-the-counter. Talk to your vet about whether Bravecto® is right for your pet. Always read and follow all label instructions carefully and use Bravecto® only as advised by your vet.

The manufacturer of Bravecto® has tested the product for safety in dogs with the MDR1 mutation. No adverse effects were observed. Dogs with the MDR1 mutation are not at increased risk for adverse effects from Bravecto®.

How Bravecto® Works

The active ingredient in Bravecto® is fluralaner. Bravecto® belongs to a newer class of flea and tick preventatives called isoxazolines.

Fluralaner is ingested by fleas and ticks when they bite, and works by over-exciting their nervous system, causing paralysis and death. In dogs and cats, this medication works within the first few hours after administration to kill fleas present on your pet.

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

Bravecto® is also used in an extra-label capacity to treat demodectic mange and sarcoptic mange in dogs and sarcoptic mange in cats. The term off- or extra-label use means that a medication can be used in a way, or in a particular species, that is not specified on the medication label. While veterinarians often prescribe medications for off-label uses, your veterinarian will determine whether Bravecto® is right for your dog or cat.

Possible Side Effects of Bravecto®

All versions of Bravecto® are usually tolerated well in both dogs and cats. Symptoms of Bravecto® intolerance may include:

• Vomiting

• Decreased appetite

• Diarrhea

• Decreased energy (lethargy)

Additional symptoms of Bravecto® or Bravecto® 1-Month may include:

• Increased thirst

• Flatulence (gas)

Additional side effects that may be seen after the use of Bravecto® Topical Solution or Bravecto® PLUS may include:

• Itching

• Dry skin

• Excessive drooling

Neurologic side effects have been seen after using medications in this class of drugs. 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, incoordination

• Collapse

• Seizures

Human Side Effects

This medication is not for use in humans. Due to possible side effects, humans should never use medicine dispensed for their pets and pets should not be given any medicine dispensed for a human’s use.

It is recommended to wash your hands after administration. Avoid contact with the treated area on your pet and do not allow children to contact 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, call your physician or the national Poison Control Center hotline at 800-222-1222.

Monitoring

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

Call Your Vet If:

• Severe side effects are seen (see above)
• Your pet’s condition worsens or does not improve with treatment
• You see or suspect an overdose
• You have additional questions or concerns about the use of Bravecto®, Bravecto® 1-Month, or Bravecto® PLUS

Bravecto® Overdose Information for Dogs and Cats

Bravecto® has a wide margin of safety. Signs of a large overdose in pets receiving oral versions of this product may include diarrhea or tremors. In pets receiving topical versions, excessive drooling may be observed upon accidental oral ingestion. If you suspect an overdose of Bravecto® or gave the topical product by mouth, please immediately contact your veterinarian, seek emergency veterinary care, or call an animal poison control center. Consultation fees often apply.

Pet Poison Helpline® 855-764-7661

ASPCA® Animal Poison Control 888-426-4435

Bravecto®

Bravecto® is a flavored, chewable tablet flea and tick preventative medication for dogs older than 6 months of age and weighing more than 4.4 pounds. If your puppy is less than 6 months old but older than 8 weeks, ask your vet about Bravecto® 1-Month instead.

Bravecto® also treats and controls several species of ticks for up to 12 weeks, including the Black-legged tick, the American Dog tick, and the Brown Dog tick. It also treats and controls the Lone Star tick for 8 weeks. If you have Lone Star ticks in your area, your veterinarian may recommend that you administer it every 8 weeks.

Most dogs willingly take the flavored chew as a treat. If not, try hiding it in a small amount of food. Bravecto® works best when given with a meal, not on an empty stomach.

If you forget to give a dose, give it when you remember. Remember that fleas and ticks may temporarily be seen due to the missed treatment.

Bravecto® 1-Month

Bravecto® 1-Month is a flavored chewable tablet that prevents flea and tick infestations with a lower dose of fluralaner than Bravecto®, allowing for its use in younger dogs. Bravecto® 1-Month is approved for puppies and dogs 8 weeks of age and older and 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® 1-Month works best when given with a meal, not on an empty stomach.

Bravecto® Topical Solution

Bravecto® topical solution provides convenient protection from fleas and ticks for up to 12 full weeks in dogs and cats. This medication is not to be given by mouth.

In dogs, Bravecto® topical solution is applied to the skin of puppies and dogs older than 6 months of age and weighing more than 4.4 pounds.

Bravecto® also treats and controls several species of ticks for up to 12 weeks, including the Black-legged tick, the American Dog tick, and the Brown Dog tick.

It also treats and controls the lone star tick for eight weeks. If you have Lone Star ticks in your area, your veterinarian may recommend that you administer it every eight weeks.

In cats, Bravecto® topical solution kills adult fleas and treats and prevents flea infestations for 12 weeks. It also treats and controls black-legged ticks for 12 weeks. In addition, Bravecto® topical solution for cats treats and controls American dog ticks for 8 weeks. Bravecto® topical solution is applied to the skin of cats who are 6 months of age and older that weigh at least 2.6 pounds

Bravecto® PLUS

Bravecto® PLUS contains topical fluralaner combined with moxidectin. In addition to helping to control fleas and ticks, Bravecto® PLUS also prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls roundworms and hookworms in cats.

Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease by paralyzing and killing immature stages of heartworms. Moxidectin also kills intestinal roundworms and hookworms. Fluralaner kills adult fleas and treats and prevents flea infestations for two months in cats.

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

Bravecto® Storage

Bravecto® and Bravecto® 1-Month should be stored at controlled temperatures below 86 F. Bravecto® Topical Solution and Bravecto® Plus are highly flammable. Keep away from sparks, heat, open flames, or any other sources of fire. Store Bravecto® PLUS and Bravecto® Topical Solution at or below 77 F.

Keep the medication in the provided blister packs until ready to use in order to protect from moisture and light. 

Keep out of reach of children and pets.