Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Ivermectin is dosed at 0.2–0.3 mg/kg PO once in cats, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Ivermectin is used in cats for Ear mites, ectoparasites, Ear mites, scabies, Ear mites (alternative to selamectin). Routes documented in cats: PO, SC, TOPICAL. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Ivermectin in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ivomec, Heartgard
Contraindicated in Tortoise / Turtle
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication |
|---|
| Evidence |
|---|
| Source |
|---|
| PO | 0.2–0.3 mg/kg | once | Single dose; repeat in 14 days | Ear mites, ectoparasites | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| SC | 0.2–0.3 mg/kg | q14d | 2-3 treatments | Ear mites, scabies | Moderate | Miller, W.H., Griffin, C.E., & Campbell, K.L. (2013f) Parasitic skin disease. In: Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology (eds. Miller, W.H., Griffin, C.E., & Campbell, K.L.), 7th ed., pp. 284-342. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. — Verified against Veterinary Ophthalmology (Gelatt), 6th Ed, p.1782 (2026-08-01). |
| TOPICAL | 0.2–0.4 mg/kg | once | Single topical application; repeat in 14 days | Ear mites (alternative to selamectin) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Potentiates glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of parasites.
TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ivermectin dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: PO 0.2–0.3 mg/kg once; SC 0.2–0.3 mg/kg q14d; TOPICAL 0.2–0.4 mg/kg once. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ivermectin in cats: PO, SC, TOPICAL.
Cited course lengths for Ivermectin in cats include: Single dose; repeat in 14 days; 2-3 treatments; Single topical application; repeat in 14 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ivermectin is indicated in cats for: Ear mites, ectoparasites, Ear mites, scabies, Ear mites (alternative to selamectin).
These are general warnings for Ivermectin across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC to MDR1-mutant dogs (Collies, Shelties, Aussies) at elevated doses. DO NOT use in chelonians (turtles/tortoises). Narrow safety margin in some species. Test MDR1 status before use in herding breeds.
Why a species-specific page? Ivermectin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.