If you’re searching for how to apply Revolution Plus for cats, you’re already doing the most important first step: planning to use it correctly. With spot-on parasite preventives, placement and dosing matter. Applying to the wrong location, applying on wet fur, or using the wrong tube size can reduce effectiveness and increase the chance of mess, licking, or irritation.
Below is a practical, label-aligned method you can follow at home—written for real life (wriggly cats included).
Step-by-step application instructions
Preparation checklist
Before you open the tube, set yourself up for a clean, accurate application.
Confirm the essentials
- Your cat’s current weight (today or within the last week). If you don’t know it, use a pet scale, a baby scale, or “weigh yourself + weigh yourself holding your cat” on a bathroom scale and subtract.
- Correct tube for your cat’s weight range (see dosing table below).
- Age and weight minimums: Revolution Plus is labeled for cats and kittens 8 weeks and older and weighing at least 2.8 lb.
Pick the right moment
- Choose a calm time when your cat is relaxed (after a meal or play session often works well).
- Plan to keep your cat inside until the application spot is fully dry.
Set up your supplies
- The Revolution Plus tube (keep it in its packaging until you’re ready).
- A towel (optional “kitty burrito” for gentle restraint).
- Treats for positive reinforcement.
- Soap and water available for handwashing right after.
Important coat rule
- Apply only when your cat’s haircoat is dry. Do not apply on a wet coat.
Dosing by weight
Revolution Plus dosing is based on a minimum mg per lb / mg per kg, delivered through pre-measured single-dose tubes. The label dosing is grouped into body-weight ranges.
Revolution Plus dosing table (by labeled weight ranges)
(Weight conversions are approximate.)
| Cat’s weight | Approx. weight (kg) | Tube cap color | Tube volume | Tube contents (selamectin / sarolaner) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8–5.5 lb | ~1.3–2.5 kg | Gold | 0.25 mL | 15 mg / 2.5 mg |
| 5.6–11 lb | ~2.5–5.0 kg | Orange | 0.5 mL | 30 mg / 5 mg |
| 11.1–22 lb | ~5.0–10.0 kg | Green | 1.0 mL | 60 mg / 10 mg |
If your cat weighs over 22 lb
- The label instructs using an appropriate combination of tubes. Because this can vary, it’s best to confirm the exact combination with your veterinarian.
If your cat’s weight is unknown or near a cutoff
- Weigh first whenever possible rather than guessing.
- If your cat is right at the line, ask your veterinarian which tube size to use—especially if your cat is underweight, has an illness, or is a growing kitten.
How to part the fur correctly
This is the part that determines whether the medication reaches the skin.
- Stand or kneel behind your cat.
- Locate the application area: the back of the neck at the base of the neck, in front of the shoulder blades.
- Use your fingers to part the hair until you can clearly see the skin.
- Keep the fur parted while you place the tube tip.
Tip: On long-haired cats, parting with your fingertips in two “lanes” can help you see skin more reliably.
How to apply Revolution Plus
Revolution Plus is applied in one spot on the skin.
- Open the tube correctly
- Hold the tube upright.
- Press the cap until you hear or feel it puncture the seal (“click”), then remove the cap.
- Confirm the tube tip is open.
- Place the tube tip directly on the skin
- With the fur still parted, touch the tube tip to the visible skin.
- Squeeze the tube 3–4 times in one spot
- Empty the entire contents onto the skin in that single location.
- Glide, lift, and verify
- Keeping the tube squeezed, glide it along the skin away from the liquid, then lift off.
- Check the tube to ensure it’s empty.
- Do not rub or massage
- Let the product spread naturally; do not massage it into the skin.
What you should see
- A small wet spot on the skin or hair at the application site is normal immediately after dosing.
Post-application care
Right after applying Revolution Plus, the goal is to let it dry undisturbed and prevent licking or transfer.
Immediately after
- Keep your cat separated from other pets that might groom them until the application area is dry.
- Prevent your cat from rubbing the application site on furniture for the first hour if possible.
Hands-off rule for kids
- Keep children from touching the application site for the recommended post-application window.
What’s normal at the site
- Temporary cosmetic changes can happen at the treatment site (for example, stiffness, clumping, slight residue, or mild discoloration). These are typically temporary.
If you miss a monthly dose
- Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue monthly dosing on a consistent schedule.
Safety, side effects, and troubleshooting
Safety warnings and best practices
Follow these safety rules every time you apply Revolution Plus:
- Topical use only (skin application).
- Not for human use.
- Wash hands after use and wash off any product that contacts skin promptly.
- Avoid contact with eyes and skin during application.
- Flammable: keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, or ignition sources.
- Do not apply to broken skin (the formulation contains alcohol).
- Do not apply on a wet haircoat—wait until the coat is fully dry.
Contraindications and special situations
- The label states there are no known contraindications, but there are important cautions and “not evaluated” situations.
- Neurologic caution (isoxazoline class): Revolution Plus contains sarolaner, which is in a class associated with neurologic adverse reactions.
- Kittens under 8 weeks: safety has not been evaluated.
- Breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats: safety has not been evaluated.
If any of these apply to your cat, consult your veterinarian before dosing.
When to contact a vet
Contact your veterinarian promptly (or an emergency clinic, depending on severity) if you notice:
- Tremors, loss of balance, seizures, or other unusual neurologic signs
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Severe lethargy, refusal to eat, or sudden behavior changes
- Marked skin reactions at the site
- You suspect your cat swallowed a meaningful amount (for example, from grooming right after application)
Common side effects and expected timeline
In clinical field studies and post-approval reports, the most commonly reported issues include:
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite (anorexia)
- Itching (pruritus) and other skin signs
- Vomiting and diarrhea or soft stool
- Application-site reactions
- Less commonly reported but important: ataxia, tremor, and seizures (neurologic adverse reactions have been reported with isoxazoline-class drugs)
Timeline you may notice
- Right away (same day): the application spot may look wet; some cats may briefly groom, scratch, or seem mildly bothered by the sensation.
- Within the first days: mild GI upset or reduced appetite can occur in some cats; application-site cosmetic changes can appear.
- Over the month: parasite protection is designed to last about one month, which is why monthly dosing matters.
Bathing, grooming, and water exposure
- Apply only on a dry coat.
- The label notes that bathing or shampooing 24 hours after treatment does not reduce the heartworm-related effectiveness of selamectin (one ingredient), while also noting that the effectiveness of Revolution Plus against heartworm after bathing has not been fully evaluated. A practical approach is to avoid bathing immediately after application unless your veterinarian advises otherwise.
Storage and disposal
Storage
- Store Revolution Plus at or below 86°F (30°C).
- Keep away from heat or open flames and out of reach of children and pets.
Disposal
- Discard empty tubes in normal household trash unless your local regulations require a different method for medication containers.
- Do not reuse tubes.
Conclusion
Correct application of Revolution Plus is simple once you know the key details: use the right tube for your cat’s weight, apply to dry skin at the back of the neck, empty the full tube, and let it dry without rubbing. If your cat has special health considerations (very young, very small, neurologic history, pregnant/nursing), confirm the plan with your veterinarian.
If you found this guide helpful, consider bookmarking it and setting a monthly reminder so doses don’t get missed.