Stronghold Plus For Cats: Uses and Benefits
What is Stronghold Plus for cats?
Stronghold Plus is a treatment for fleas, ticks and worms for cats. It uses a combination of active ingredients selamectin and sorolaner to treat and protect against mixed parasitic infections.
How does Stronghold Plus work?
The active ingredient selamectin in Stronghold Plus interferes with a chloride channel which causes disruption of normal neurotransmission in parasites, which leads to paralysis and death. It effectively breaks the flea lifecycle through killing adult fleas, prevents eggs hatching and also kills larval stages. The other active ingredient sarolaner inhibits receptors and stops the uptake of certain neurotransmitters in the central nervous system of the parasites which leads to death.
Parasites targeted by Stronghold Plus for cats
Stronghold Plus targets multiple parasites, covering your cats for:
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Fleas - killing adults and larval stage and preventing eggs from hatching
Mites - ear mites and scabies mite that causes mange in cats
Lice
Nematodes worms - roundworm and hookworm
And it has shown to have activity against heartworm (not native in the UK)
Benefits of using Stronghold Plus for cats
Prevention and treatment of common parasites
Stronghold Plus is a treatment but also prevention of common external and some internal parasites of cats. This keeps your pet safe from the issues these critters go on to cause, such as skin irritation and dermatitis especially in those that are allergic to flea bites which unfortunately is seen quite regularly in cats. Not only does it protect directly against infestations but indirectly as it also reduces the risk of transmission of tapeworm from fleas due to killing fleas before transmission occurs, however it doesn’t treat tapeworm itself.
Stronghold Plus does not have action against lungworm and so if your cat has a taste for slugs or snails, which is a common intermediate host, talk to your vet about the best treatment plan for your pet.
Ease of application
Stronghold Plus is a spot-on topical treatment which is applied onto the skin at the back of the neck where your cat cannot reach to lick it off and can be used on a monthly basis.
Convenience
Having a monthly treatment that treats both external and internal parasites is convenient, particularly in those cats who are a bit feisty when giving medication, reducing the need for multiple treatments.
Safety
While there is potential for adverse events with any medication Stronghold Plus is well tolerated in cats when used as directed. Side effects are uncommon but pruritus or alopecia at the application site along with redness and drooling have been reported. Very rare adverse reactions (fewer than 1 animal per 10,000 treated) report ataxia, convulsions, vomiting or diarrhoea all of which are mostly transient.
It should not be used in cats that are ill, debilitated or underweight for their size and age, along with those who have had previous sensitivity to any of the ingredients.
How to use Stronghold Plus for cats
Holding the pipette firmly, puncture the applicator seal by depressing the cap then part the fur at the base of your cat's neck at a point that’s hard to reach for them to lick. Apply the liquid onto the skin exposed without massaging, squeeze the pipette 3-4 times to fully empty the contents, avoiding contact with your fingers.
Stroking and petting near the site should be avoided after application, and children should not play with treated cats for 4 hours after treatment. It is recommended to treat them in the evenings to reduce any human transfer of the product and cats should not be permitted to sleep in the same bed as owners after treatment.
How quickly does Stronghold Plus start working?
Stronghold Plus kills adult fleas and attached ticks within a day and prevents new infestations for up to 5 weeks. While it works quickly on existing parasites, breaking the full flea life cycle and eliminating environmental flea eggs requires consistent monthly application and treating all pets and the home.
Stronghold Plus compared to other products
Stronghold Plus covers for the same parasites as normal Stronghold (fleas, mites, lice, roundworms and hookworms) with the addition of covering against ticks and having activity against heartworm. Stronghold Plus is a prescription only medication that cannot be bought over the counter, your vets will be able to provide it after a recent physical assessment to ensure it is suitable for your individual cat and to get an up to date weight as dosage is by weight. It is also available from other external stockists including online with a prescription from your vets.
Bottom line: Stronghold Plus for cats
Stronghold Plus is a broad-spectrum prescription only parasiticide that protects cats from external parasites such as fleas, ticks, lice and mites along with internal parasites such as roundworm, hookworm and heartworm. It is a topical spot-on treatment that is used once a month by placing the liquid into the skin at the back of the neck. While well tolerated uncommon side effects include itchiness and alopecia at the site of application, redness or drooling. Due to its combination of active ingredients targeting mixed parasites it is a convenient method to treat multiple parasites at once.
FAQs
Is Stronghold Plus safe for kittens?
Stronghold Plus should only be used in cats aged over 8 weeks old and weighing at least 1.25kg.
Can I use Stronghold Plus on pregnant or lactating cats?
Stronghold Plus has not been fully tested on use in pregnant or lactating cats, but the active ingredients have been tested separately or tested in other animals, and so use in pregnant or lactating animals should only be used according to benefit-risk assessment as judged by your vet.
What's the difference between Stronghold and Stronghold Plus?
Stronghold Plus covers all the parasites normal Stronghold treats (fleas, lice, mites, roundworms and hookworms) plus the addition of ticks and heartworm.
Is Stronghold Plus safe for all cats?
Stronghold Plus can be used in all cats unless too young, underweight, ill or for those that have had prior sensitivities to any of the ingredients. As every animal is an individual, have a discussion with your vet to see if Stronghold Plus would be suitable for your cat before use.
References
Noahcompendium.co.uk, 2025, www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=-488397.
“Stronghold plus | European Medicines Agency (EMA).” European Medicines Agency (EMA), 23 Mar. 2017, www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/veterinary/EPAR/stronghold-plus.
