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No. Heartgard Plus is labeled for dogs. The monthly chewable made for cats is HEARTGARD (ivermectin) Chewables for Cats. It is a prescription product dosed by body weight, and it is intended for cats 6 weeks of age and older. The sections below explain the cat label’s dosing schedule, the side-effect data behind it, and what to confirm with your veterinarian before starting.
Heartgard Plus and Heartgard for Cats are different products
The two names are easy to confuse, and the difference matters for dosing. The U.S. HEARTGARD PLUS label, as published on DailyMed and last updated October 19, 2023, covers ivermectin/pyrantel chewables for dogs. Nothing in that label supports giving it to a cat, and its adverse-event reporting should not be used to judge safety in cats.
| Product | Labeled species | Active ingredients | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEARTGARD PLUS chewables | Dogs | Ivermectin and pyrantel | U.S. label on DailyMed, updated October 19, 2023 |
| HEARTGARD (ivermectin) Chewables for Cats | Cats | Ivermectin | Feline label by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., revision August 2018 |
If a label or retailer listing does not clearly name the cat product, check the species statement on the package before giving any chewable to a cat.
What the cat chewable is labeled to do
HEARTGARD for Cats is an oral ivermectin chewable indicated to prevent feline heartworm disease. It works by eliminating the tissue stage of Dirofilaria immitis larvae, and it protects for one month (30 days) after infection. The label also covers removal and control of adult and immature hookworms, Ancylostoma tubaeforme and A. braziliense. The product is restricted to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. The manufacturer describes it as a monthly, beef-flavored chewable for cats at least 6 weeks old.
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- Year-round protection from harmful parasites when applied monthly
- Convenient one-and-done monthly dosing
- First and only feline broad spectrum parasite protection that treats tapeworms.
- Protects against adult fleas before they can lay eggs while protecting against black-legged ticks and lone star ticks
- Effectively prevents heartworm disease while treating and controlling hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
Indoor cats are not automatically safe from heartworm. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that both indoor and outdoor cats can be exposed through infected mosquitoes, so whether prevention is needed is a question for your veterinarian rather than a decision based on lifestyle alone.
Cat dosage by weight
The feline label sets a minimum ivermectin dose of 24 mcg/kg (10.9 mcg/lb). Its weight bands are shown below. These are the label’s directions, not a personal prescription. Your veterinarian should confirm the dose using your cat’s current weight, health status and any previous doses.
Rank #2
- Year-round protection from harmful parasites when applied monthly
- Convenient one-and-done monthly dosing
- First and only feline broad spectrum parasite protection that treats tapeworms.
- Protects against adult fleas before they can lay eggs while protecting against black-legged ticks and lone star ticks
- Effectively prevents heartworm disease while treating and controlling hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
| Cat body weight | Label directions (given orally, once monthly) |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 lb | One 55 mcg chewable |
| Over 5 lb to 15 lb | One 165 mcg chewable |
| Over 15 lb | An appropriate combination of chewables, as directed by your veterinarian |
Cats heavier than 15 lb are not dosed with a single standard tablet, so ask your veterinarian to write out the exact combination and keep a copy for your records.
Monthly timing and missed doses
The label is written around mosquito season. It directs monthly dosing whenever mosquitoes that could carry infective larvae are active, and it sets the boundaries of the season as follows:
Rank #3
- Broad-Spectrum Intestinal Care Support - Designed to support routine intestinal wellness, helps maintain balance for common intestinal worms, including tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms, as part of a regular deworming care routine.
- Supports Digestive Health & Daily Vitality - Helps support normal digestive balance and overall wellness by promoting a healthy intestinal, helping cats maintain their active and comfortable lifestyle.
- Easy to Use - Each tablet provides a simple and consistent way to follow your cat’s daily care routine. Tablets can be given directly or mixed with food for flexible use based on your cat’s preferences
- Suitable for Cats at Different Life Stages - Designed for kittens and adult cats, making it a practical choice for multi-cat households, breeders, rescues, and pet owners who prioritize regular feline wellness care.
- Quality Formula for Everyday Cat Care - Made with carefully selected ingredients and quality standards, this cat wellness supplement provides dependable support for your cat’s routine health management and everyday care needs.
- Give the first dose within 30 days after the cat’s first likely mosquito exposure.
- Continue dosing once a month, on or about the same date each month, for best performance.
- Give the final dose within 30 days after the cat’s last likely mosquito exposure.
If a dose is late, the label says to give it promptly and then resume the regular monthly schedule, because delays give adult heartworm more opportunity to develop. Whether a particular missed dose needs any other action depends on timing and the cat’s situation, so call your veterinarian rather than adjusting the schedule on your own.
Giving the chewable correctly
- Offer the chewable by hand or mix it into a small amount of cat food. Food should be routinely available during the treatment day.
- Do not give the chewable on an empty stomach. The label warns that fasting, or manual dosing of a chewable that has not been broken into pieces, can reduce absorption. The label says the link between reduced absorption and reduced effectiveness has not been established.
- Watch the cat for a short time to confirm it swallowed the full dose.
- If you think a dose was lost, the label recommends giving a new chewable.
- Store the blister card inside its box to protect the chewables from light.
Side effects and safety data
The feline label reports vomiting and diarrhea as the observations to watch for. The figures are drawn from clinical studies involving more than 3,000 doses. The manufacturer’s product page repeats the same denominator and reports both observations at no more than 0.3%. Those rates are study observations, not a prediction for your cat.
Rank #4
- Fast-acting, safe and easy treatment
- BRAVECTO Plus lasts nearly 2X longer than other monthly treatments
- Up to 2 months of flea & tick protection with just 1 dose!
- Easy to use non-spill, Twist’n’Use applicator. Do not give orally.
- Did you know.. indoor cats can get fleas and ticks too?!
| Observation | Feline label (Boehringer Ingelheim, revision August 2018) | Manufacturer product page (undated) |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting | No more than 0.3% of doses | No more than 0.3% of doses |
| Diarrhea | No more than 0.2% of doses | No more than 0.3% of doses |
The feline label states that these observations showed no statistically significant difference from the vehicle control. The manufacturer also describes the product as “well tolerated.” That is a company statement rather than independent clinical consensus, so weigh it accordingly.
Contact your veterinarian promptly if your cat has an unusual reaction after a dose, if you think the wrong product or dose was given, or if the cat’s health changes. Do not treat a dog-labeled product’s reactions as evidence about cats.
Best Value
- Year-round protection from harmful parasites when applied monthly
- Convenient one-and-done monthly dosing
- First and only feline broad spectrum parasite protection that treats tapeworms.
- Protects against adult fleas before they can lay eggs while protecting against black-legged ticks and lone star ticks
- Effectively prevents heartworm disease while treating and controlling hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
Testing and heartworm facts before you start
The feline label recommends testing a cat for existing heartworm infection before starting HEARTGARD for Cats. The FDA says that feline testing is harder than canine testing, and that these points apply:
- Tests are generally used in combination.
- A negative test does not rule out infection.
- A positive test may or may not indicate an active infection.
- Pre-testing is less useful in cats than in dogs, so testing should be discussed with your veterinarian rather than treated as a formality.
There is no FDA-approved drug to treat heartworm disease in cats, although symptoms can be managed with medication. Feline respiratory signs can look like other respiratory disease, and some cats die suddenly without obvious earlier illness. Symptoms alone cannot confirm or exclude heartworm, so a veterinarian’s evaluation is needed for any respiratory concern.
Other feline prevention options
The FDA describes both oral and topical FDA-approved heartworm preventives for cats, all used monthly under veterinary prescription. When you compare products, look at the species on the label, which parasites are covered, whether the product is oral or topical, the age and weight eligibility, the dosing interval, and whether you can realistically give or apply it to your cat. Brand-by-brand rankings are beyond what current FDA guidance and the feline label establish.
When to call your veterinarian
- Before the first dose, for testing discussion and weight-based dosing.
- When you are unsure how many chewables a cat over 15 lb needs.
- After a missed dose or a possible lost dose.
- If your cat vomits, has diarrhea, or seems unwell after a dose.
- If your cat has coughing, breathing changes, or any other respiratory sign.
Heartgard Plus is not a substitute for the cat product, and the cat chewable should be used only as your veterinarian directs.
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