Advocate vs NexGard Spectra for Cats: What's the Difference?
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Advocate and NexGard Spectra are both monthly spot-on treatments for cats, offering protection against fleas, heartworm and several types of worms and mites.
While they have some important similarities, they aren't identical. The biggest differences come down to tick coverage, tapeworm coverage, active ingredients and overall parasite coverage.
So, is Advocate or NexGard Spectra better? There isn't one universal winner. The right choice depends on the parasites your cat needs protection from, their lifestyle and location, and whether you need broader protection against ticks and tapeworm.
- NexGard Spectra contains three active ingredients: esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel. Advocate contains two: imidacloprid and moxidectin.
- Both products provide monthly protection against fleas, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, lungworm and ear mites.
- NexGard Spectra also treats and controls paralysis ticks, bush ticks, brown dog ticks, tapeworm and notoedric mange.
- Advocate does not provide tick or tapeworm protection
- Advocate additionally treats and controls feline mange mites.
- NexGard Spectra is registered for kittens from 8 weeks of age and 0.8 kg, while Advocate is registered for kittens from 9 weeks of age. Always check the current product label for the correct weight and dosing requirements.
The Short Answer
Advocate and NexGard Spectra both provide broad monthly parasite protection, but NexGard Spectra offers wider coverage for cats at risk of ticks and tapeworm.
- Choose NexGard Spectra if your cat needs protection against paralysis ticks, bush ticks or brown dog ticks, or if you want tapeworm protection included in the same monthly treatment.
- Choose Advocate if your cat doesn't require tick or tapeworm protection and you want monthly coverage against fleas, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, lungworm, ear mites and feline mange mites.
For cats that spend time outdoors, hunt or live in an area where paralysis ticks are a concern, like along Australia's eastern seaboard, the difference in coverage can be particularly important.
Neither product should be assumed to cover every parasite. Always check the current Australian product label and speak with your veterinarian about the most appropriate parasite prevention plan for your cat.
For a broader comparison of the options available, see our guide to the best flea, tick and worm treatments for cats in Australia.
NexGard Spectra vs Advocate at a Glance
NexGard Spectra |
Advocate |
|
Active Ingredients |
Esafoxolaner + eprinomectin + praziquantel |
Imidacloprid + moxidectin |
Fleas |
Yes |
Yes |
Paralysis ticks |
Yes |
No |
Bush ticks |
Yes |
No |
Brown dog ticks |
Yes |
No |
Heartworm prevention |
Yes |
Yes |
Roundworm |
Yes |
Yes |
Hookworm |
Yes |
Yes |
Lungworm |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tapeworm | Yes |
No |
| Ear mites | Yes |
Yes |
| Notoedric mange | Yes |
No |
| Feline mange mites | No | Yes |
| Format | Topical spot-on | Topical spot-on |
| Dosing | Monthly | Monthly |
| Minimum age | 8 weeks | 9 weeks |
| Minimum weight | 0.8kg | Check current product label |
Always check the current Australian product label for the exact indication, weight range and dosing requirements for your cat's product.
The Key Differences Between NexGard Spectra & Advocate
Active Ingredients
NexGard Spectra contains three active ingredients:
- Esafoxolaner: an isoxazoline that targets fleas, ticks and mites.
- Eprinomectin: a macrocyclic lactone that prevents heartworm and treats and controls roundworm, hookworm and lungworm.
- Praziquantel: an anthelmintic that treats and controls tapeworms, including flea tapeworm and cat tapeworm.
Advocate contains two active ingredients:
- Imidacloprid: an insecticide that kills adult fleas and flea larvae.
- Moxidectin: a macrocyclic lactone that helps protect against heartworm and treats and controls roundworm, hookworm, lungworm and certain mites.
The most significant difference is the presence of esafoxolaner and praziquantel in NexGard Spectra. Esafoxolaner provides tick protection, while praziquantel gives NexGard Spectra direct tapeworm coverage.
Advocate does not contain an ingredient specifically targeting ticks or tapeworms, so cats at risk of these parasites may need additional protection.
Parasite Coverage
Both products cover many of the parasites commonly encountered by Australian cats, including fleas, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, lungworm and ear mites. The biggest coverage gaps are ticks and tapeworm.
NexGard Spectra's Australian product information lists protection against paralysis ticks, bush ticks and brown dog ticks, as well as treatment and control of tapeworms. Advocate does not provide tick or tapeworm protection.
Ticks
NexGard Spectra's Australian product information states that it controls new infestations of paralysis ticks with monthly treatment, treats and controls bush ticks, and controls brown dog ticks.
Advocate does not provide tick protection. If your cat requires tick protection, a separate tick preventative or an alternative product with tick coverage may be required.
Worms
Both NexGard Spectra and Advocate cover roundworm, hookworm and lungworm, as well as preventing heartworm disease.
NexGard Spectra additionally treats and controls tapeworms, including Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis. Advocate does not treat tapeworms, so a separate tapeworm treatment may be needed for cats at risk.
Mites
Both NexGard Spectra and Advocate help protect against ear mites. NexGard Spectra also treats and controls notoedric mange, while Advocate's Australian product information covers feline mange mites.
Speed of Action
Both products are designed to act against fleas, but their Australian product information describes their efficacy differently, so the figures shouldn't be treated as a direct head-to-head comparison.
For NexGard Spectra, the Australian product information states that newly acquired adult fleas are killed at greater than 95% efficacy before they can lay eggs. For paralysis ticks, it starts controlling newly acquired ticks after 48 hours, although optimal control may take up to a week after the first treatment in some cats. The product information recommends daily searching for and removing ticks during this period.
For Advocate, Elanco's Australian information states that reinfesting fleas stop biting within 3–5 minutes of contact and are killed within 1 hour, while existing fleas are killed within 12–24 hours.
These claims measure different outcomes and shouldn't be treated as a direct apples-to-apples comparison of which product is faster.
Application & Format
Both Advocate and NexGard Spectra are monthly topical spot-on treatments, making them an option for cats that are difficult to medicate with tablets.
Both are applied directly to the skin at the back of the cat's neck. Always follow the application instructions on the product label and use the correct product for your cat's weight and age.
Which Should You Choose?
For many cats, the choice between Advocate and NexGard Spectra comes down to tick exposure, tapeworm risk and the level of parasite coverage your cat needs.
NexGard Spectra may be the better fit if:
- Your cat spends time outdoors or lives in an area where paralysis ticks are a concern.
- You want tick protection included in the same monthly treatment.
- Your cat hunts or has a history of flea infestation and you want tapeworm protection included.
- You want coverage against paralysis ticks, bush ticks and brown dog ticks.
- You prefer a product covering fleas, ticks, heartworm, intestinal worms, lungworm and tapeworm in one monthly treatment.
"I love this easy to use all in one product that you just squirt on the back of the neck of your cat. No messing around with tablets and it does everything including worming and fleas and ticks. Wonderful product."
Catherine C.
Vets Love Pets Customer
Advocate may be the better fit if:
- Your cat doesn't require tick protection.
- Tapeworm protection isn't currently required as part of your cat's parasite-control plan.
- You want monthly protection against fleas, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, lungworm, ear mites and feline mange mites.
- You prefer its combination of imidacloprid and moxidectin.
- Your cat's parasite risks are well covered by its existing prevention plan.
Both are broad-spectrum monthly spot-ons, but NexGard Spectra has broader coverage overall, particularly for cats at risk of ticks and tapeworm.
Advocate can still be a suitable choice for cats whose parasite risks don't require those additional protections.
Your cat's lifestyle, location, outdoor access, hunting behaviour and existing parasite-control plan should all be considered when choosing a treatment. If you're unsure which product is right for your cat, speak with your veterinarian.
Still deciding? Check out this vet-approved guide on the best flea, tick & worm treatments for cats.
Advocate vs NexGard Spectra FAQs
Is Advocate or NexGard Spectra better?
Both Advocate and NexGard Spectra offer monthly protection against fleas, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, lungworm and ear mites. NexGard Spectra adds protection against paralysis ticks, bush ticks, brown dog ticks and tapeworm, while Advocate protects against feline mange mites.
For cats with outdoor access or exposure to paralysis ticks, NexGard Spectra may offer broader parasite coverage in a single product.
Does Advocate or NexGard Spectra kill fleas faster?
Advocate's Australian product information states that reinfesting fleas stop biting within 3–5 minutes and are killed within 1 hour, while existing fleas are killed within 12–24 hours.
NexGard Spectra's product information states that newly acquired adult fleas are killed before they can lay eggs.
Because the products' claims measure different outcomes, these figures shouldn't be treated as a direct apples-to-apples comparison.
Are Advocate and NexGard Spectra safe for kittens?
Both products are registered for use in young kittens, but their minimum ages differ.
NexGard Spectra is registered for kittens from 8 weeks of age and 0.8 kg. NexGard Spectra Australian product information
Advocate is registered for kittens from 9 weeks of age. Always check the current Australian product label for the correct weight and dosing requirements before treating your kitten. Advocate for Cats — Elanco Australia
Can cats with a history of seizures use Advocate or NexGard Spectra?
NexGard Spectra contains esafoxolaner, an isoxazoline-class ingredient. The Australian product information states that adverse reactions associated with the isoxazoline class are rarely observed but can include neurological effects such as seizures.
Advocate does not contain an isoxazoline. If your cat has a history of seizures or neurological disease, speak with your veterinarian before choosing a parasite preventative.
Is Pro-Kolin Advanced the same product for dogs and cats?
No — Pro-Kolin Advanced comes as separate dog and cat formulas with different flavourings, and the cat version also includes taurine. Make sure you're using the formula matched to your pet. Synbiotic D-C, by contrast, is a single product suitable for both.
Veterinarian & Vets Love Pets Partner
BVSc
Dr Jack Ayerbe OAM is a distinguished Geelong veterinarian with over 50 years of experience, the founder of Newtown Veterinary Practice, and a dedicated advocate for animal welfare and ethics.
More articles from Dr Jack AyerbeReferences
- NexGard Spectra Spot-On for Cats — Australian Product Information — source for active ingredients, parasite coverage, efficacy information, age and weight requirements and application instructions. NexGard Spectra Australian product information
- Advocate Spot-On for Cats — Elanco Australia — source for active ingredients, parasite coverage, flea efficacy, age range and application information. Advocate for Cats — Elanco Australia
- Advocate FAQs — Elanco Australia — source for coverage limitations, including ticks and tapeworm. Advocate FAQs — Elanco Australia
