# Stronghold Plus for Cats

> Stronghold Plus for cats is a monthly prescription flea and tick treatment. It adds sarolaner to Stronghold's selamectin, which brings ticks into cover alongside other parasites. Kills fleas on the cat within 24 hours, with activity against new fleas for 5 weeks. Treats four tick species Reduces...

*Source: https://ashcroft4pets.co.uk/flea-tick-wormer/stronghold-plus-for-cats/*

## What is Stronghold Plus?

Stronghold Plus is a topical spot-on solution for cats containing selamectin and sarolaner. Your vet may prescribe Stronghold Plus if your cat has, or is at risk from, ticks and another parasite at the same time, such as fleas, ear mites or worms. If ticks are the only problem, a treatment that doesn’t need a vet prescription may suit.

### Stronghold vs Stronghold Plus

Same maker, same selamectin base. Stronghold Plus adds a second active, sarolaner, which brings ticks onto the licence. It’s for cats only.

| | [Stronghold](https://ashcroft4pets.co.uk/brand/stronghold/) | Stronghold Plus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Active ingredients | Selamectin | Selamectin + sarolaner |
| Species | Cats and dogs | Cats only |
| Ticks on the licence | No | Yes |
| Legal category | POM-V | POM-V |

For dog strengths and the full original range, see our [Stronghold spot-on page](https://ashcroft4pets.co.uk/brand/stronghold/).

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## Safety information

### For your cat

- Not for cats with other illnesses, or cats that are weak and underweight for their size and age.
- Not for cats with a known allergy to any ingredient.
- Uncommon (1 to 10 in 1,000 cats): mild itching, mild to moderate hair loss or redness at the application site, and drooling.
- Very rare (under 1 in 10,000): fits, wobbliness, vomiting or diarrhoea, mostly short-lived.
- Pregnant, nursing or breeding cats: safety of the combined product isn’t established. Your vet decides.

### For people at home

- Harmful if swallowed. Keep pipettes in the pack until use, out of children’s reach, and throw used pipettes away straight after.
- Children shouldn’t play with a treated cat for 4 hours after treatment. Treating in the evening is recommended.
- Treated cats shouldn’t sleep in the same bed as their owner on treatment day, and especially not in a child’s bed.
- Highly flammable. Keep the cat away from fires and flames for at least 30 minutes, or until the coat is dry.
- Avoid skin and eye contact, and avoid touching the treated area until it’s dry. Wash your hands after use.

Full warnings are in the [Stronghold Plus datasheet](https://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=-488397). Contact your vet if you notice any reaction.

Legal Category: POM-V

[View the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) information for this product](https://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=-488397)

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## Stronghold Plus for cats: common questions

 Can I buy Stronghold Plus for cats without a vet prescription in the UK?

No. It’s a POM-V medicine, and any UK seller needs a valid written prescription from your vet before it can be supplied. A seller offering it without one isn’t following VMD rules.

 What does Stronghold Plus for cats treat?

Ticks plus at least one of fleas, ear mites, biting lice, notoedric mange, adult roundworms or adult hookworms. It’s also licensed to prevent heartworm disease, to reduce the risk of flea-borne tapeworm, and as part of a plan for flea allergy dermatitis. The full list is in the datasheet.

 Does Stronghold Plus treat worms?

Roundworms (Toxocara cati) and hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) only, both adult stages.

It doesn’t treat tapeworm. It does reduce the risk of flea-borne tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) for one month after treatment, by killing the fleas that carry it. Ask your vet if your cat needs a separate tapeworm treatment.

 How often is Stronghold Plus used?

Monthly for fleas, ticks and heartworm prevention. For worms, lice, ear mites and mange it’s usually a single dose, with a vet check 30 days after ear mite treatment. Follow your vet’s prescription label.

 How long does Stronghold Plus take to work?

For fleas, onset is within 24 hours, for 5 weeks after application. For Ixodes ricinus ticks, onset is within 24 hours of the tick attaching, for one month.

 Which Stronghold Plus strength does my cat need?

It’s set by weight. 15mg/2.5mg for 1.25 kg to 2.5 kg, 30mg/5mg for over 2.5 kg to 5 kg, 60mg/10mg for over 5 kg to 10 kg. Cats over 10 kg need a combination your vet will prescribe.

 Can kittens use Stronghold Plus?

From 8 weeks old, as long as the kitten weighs at least 1.25 kg. Below either limit, it isn’t licensed.

 Is Stronghold Plus spot-on safe for cats?

In safety testing, kittens from 8 weeks old were given up to 5 times the top recommended dose, 8 times at 28-day intervals, with no clinically significant reactions. One cat at 5 times the dose showed short-lived sensitivity to touch, raised fur, dilated pupils and mild tremor, which resolved without treatment. Your vet will check it’s right for your cat.