Understanding Profender for Cats: Uses, Application, and Safety
Profender is a prescription-only topical solution designed specifically for cats and kittens to treat and control common intestinal parasites. If you've ever struggled with pilling your cat or worried about internal worms, Profender offers a convenient alternative that takes the stress out of deworming.
What Is Profender?
Profender combines two active ingredients: emodepside (1.98%) and praziquantel (7.94%). Together, these ingredients effectively target three major types of intestinal worms in cats:
- Hookworms: Ancylostoma tubaeforme (adults, immature adults, fourth stage larvae)
- Roundworms: Toxocara cati (adults, fourth stage larvae)
- Tapeworms: Dipylidium caninum (adults), Taenia taeniaeformis (adults)
This product is suitable for cats and kittens at least eight weeks old and weighing at least 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It's available in different tube sizes tailored to your cat's weight: Small (2.2-5.5 lbs), Medium (5.5-11 lbs), Large (11-17.6 lbs). For cats over 17.6 lbs, you'll need to use an appropriate combination of tubes.
How Does Profender Work?
The topical solution is absorbed through the skin into your cat's bloodstream, where it targets both adult and immature stages of roundworms and hookworms, as well as adult tapeworms. One dose typically clears existing infections; if re-infection occurs, you can repeat treatment after 30 days.
Application Instructions
- Select the correct tube size based on your cat’s weight.
- Remove one tube from the package.
- Hold the tube upright; remove the cap.
- Turn the cap over and use its other end to break the seal on the tube tip.
- Part your cat’s hair at the base of their neck until you see skin.
- Squeeze all contents directly onto the skin; lift away before releasing pressure to deliver the full dose.
Avoid applying Profender to broken skin or wet hair. Don’t let your cat lick the application site for at least an hour after treatment—if you have multiple pets, keep them separated until it dries completely.
Benefits of Profender
- No need to give oral pills—topical application is less stressful for most cats and owners.
- Treats multiple types of intestinal worms with a single dose.
- Covers both adult and immature worm stages for thorough protection.
This convenience makes Profender especially helpful if your cat resists tablets or if you want broad-spectrum protection in one go.
Precautions & Warnings
- Avoid use in kittens under eight weeks or under 2.2 lbs (1 kg).
- The safety of Profender hasn’t been established in breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats.
- If your cat’s skin is broken or wet where you’d apply it, wait until healed or dry before using.
- Bathe only after the solution dries; immediate washing may reduce effectiveness.
If you’re pregnant or may become pregnant, avoid direct contact with Profender or wear disposable gloves during application—animal studies showed potential fetal effects. Wash hands thoroughly after handling, and keep children away from treated areas for at least a day after application. Never use Profender on animals other than cats; it’s not intended for dogs or other species.
Possible Side Effects
- Mild reactions like excessive licking/grooming, scratching at the site, salivation, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, hair loss at application site
- Irritation if accidentally exposed to eyes or mouth—flush with water if this happens
If your cat ingests some by licking it off themselves or another pet too soon after application, they may drool or vomit briefly. Most side effects are self-limiting but consult your veterinarian if symptoms are severe or persistent.
Efficacy & Veterinary Guidance
Profender has been shown safe and effective in laboratory and field studies—including one with over six hundred cats who received a single treatment each.
- You can use it alongside many common veterinary medications without issue.
- Your veterinarian will determine if Profender fits your cat’s health plan—regular exams and yearly fecal tests are still important since some parasites don’t cause obvious symptoms right away.
Storage & Handling Tips
- Store below 77°F (25°C); protect from freezing.
- Keep in original packaging until ready to use; keep out of reach of children/pets until needed.
The Role of Deworming in Cat Health & Human Safety
Treating cats with Profender reduces not only their risk of illness but also lowers chances that humans—especially children—will pick up zoonotic worms from contaminated environments shared with pets. Routine deworming is part of responsible pet care when living with indoor-outdoor cats or those exposed to potentially contaminated soil or prey animals.
