Profender for Cats is a topical spot-on dewormer manufactured by Bayer Animal Health, combining two active ingredients: emodepside and praziquantel. The collection at Anipetshop comprises three pipette sizes, each calibrated to a specific weight band, covering cats from 2.2 lbs (1 kg) up to 17.6 lbs (8 kg).
Anipetshop supplies this collection as a licensed pharmacy operating under Australian APVMA regulations, which classify emodepside and praziquantel spot-on formulations as over-the-counter veterinary products. The emodepside and praziquantel concentrations in these pipettes are identical to those in Profender products distributed in the United States.
Can You Buy Profender For Cats Without a Vet Prescription?
Yes. Profender for Cats is available at Anipetshop without a veterinary prescription. Whether a veterinary medication requires a prescription depends on how the relevant national regulatory body classifies it, based on factors including the active ingredients’ safety profile, the potential for misuse, and whether accurate dosing requires professional diagnosis. Two regulatory bodies evaluating the same compound can arrive at different classifications.
In the United States, the FDA designates Profender as a prescription veterinary drug under 21 CFR Part 522, on the grounds that it is not recognized as safe and effective without veterinary supervision under U.S. regulatory standards. In Australia, the APVMA reaches a different conclusion, classifying emodepside and praziquantel spot-on formulations as over-the-counter veterinary products that licensed pharmacies may supply without a prescription.
As Anipetshop operates under APVMA regulations rather than FDA regulations, it can legally supply Profender for Cats without requiring a prescription from the purchaser. The pipettes stocked are not generic or reformulated alternatives. They contain emodepside and praziquantel at the same concentrations and dosage volumes as the prescription-only Profender products sold in the United States.
Explore the Topical Solution Formulation
Profender for Cats is formulated as a topical spot-on solution that treats roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and lungworms in a single application. Each pipette contains a pre-filled volume calibrated to a specific weight band, ensuring the complete dose is delivered in one squeeze directly onto the skin.
The following formulation details apply across all three pipette sizes:
- Flavoring: None. Profender is a topical product absorbed through the skin; it is not administered orally.
- Key Excipients: Butylhydroxyanisole (E320, antioxidant), isopropylidene glycerol, and lactic acid.
- Physical Form: Clear yellow to brown solution housed in white polypropylene pipettes, sealed in aluminium blisters.
- Storage: Store in the original packaging at 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C) to protect from moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
The table below lists available pipette sizes, pricing, and the color-coded packaging used to distinguish weight ranges at a glance:
| Product | Price for 1 pack (2 doses) | Price for 2 packs (4 doses) | Pipette Color |
| Profender for Cats 5.5 – 11 lbs (2.5 – 5 kg) | $45.00 | $81.00 | Blue |
| Profender for Cats 11.1 – 17.5 lbs (5 – 8 kg) | $45.00 | $79.00 | Red |
Take the Correct Dosage
Profender for Cats is dosed by body weight only. Age and breed do not determine pipette selection; the correct size is determined solely by where the cat’s weight falls within one of three defined ranges.
The table below specifies the volume, active ingredient quantities, and applicable weight range for each pipette size:
| Cat Weight | Volume (mL) | Emodepside (mg) | Praziquantel (mg) | Color |
| 2.2-5.5 lbs | 0.35 | 7.5 | 30.0 | Green |
| >5.5-11 lbs | 0.70 | 15.0 | 60.1 | Blue |
| >11-17.6 lbs | 1.12 | 24.0 | 96.1 | Red |
Select the pipette designated for the weight range your cat falls within, not the next size up. A cat at 10.9 lbs takes the Blue pipette; a cat at 17.4 lbs takes the Red pipette. Advance to the next pipette size only when the cat’s weight exceeds the upper boundary of the current range.
For cats above 17.5 lbs (8 kg), the product labeling specifies that pipettes should be combined to reach the correct total dose. The exact combination depends on the cat’s actual weight, which falls outside the standard single-pipette ranges above. Consult your veterinarian before combining pipettes to confirm the appropriate dosing for your cat.
Why Cat Owners Should Choose Profender For Cats
Profender for Cats is the most practical deworming option for cats that cannot be reliably dosed orally. Because emodepside and praziquantel are absorbed transdermally, the full therapeutic dose reaches the intestinal tract without requiring the cat to swallow or retain a tablet. For households where oral dosing consistently fails, this route of administration eliminates the primary variable that causes underdosing.
The clinical properties below explain why Profender is selected over oral alternatives in many cases:
- Topical delivery: Active ingredients are absorbed through the skin and distributed systemically, reaching intestinal parasites without oral administration. Cats that spit out, chew, or vomit tablets still receive the complete dose.
- Parasite range: A single application treats roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and lungworms. No additional product is required to cover these four parasite categories simultaneously.
- Single-application treatment: One pipette clears an active infection in full. Multiple doses over several days are not required, reducing the total handling time and the risk of missed or incomplete doses.
- Life stage coverage: Emodepside and praziquantel act on larval, immature adult, and adult worm stages. Treating across life stages reduces the likelihood of surviving immature worms developing into patent infections after treatment.
- Minimum age eligibility: Profender is approved for kittens from 8 weeks of age and 2.2 lbs (1 kg) body weight. Administration below either threshold is contraindicated.
How Do Pet Owners Review Non-Prescription Profender For Cats Online?
Customer accounts of Profender for Cats are broadly consistent with the product’s labeled indications: owners report visible deworming results following a single topical application, with the absence of oral dosing cited as a practical advantage for cats that resist pilling.
Reviews noting adverse outcomes typically involve application errors, including incorrect pipette size selection or failure to prevent the cat from grooming the site before absorption. The review landscape does not substitute for clinical assessment; individual response to treatment varies based on the cat’s parasite burden, health status, and body weight.
Order Profender For Cats Without a Vet Prescription at Anipetshop
Profender for Cats is available at Anipetshop without a veterinary prescription. Anipetshop operates as a licensed pharmacy under Australian APVMA regulations, which classify emodepside and praziquantel spot-on formulations as over-the-counter veterinary products.
The pipettes stocked at Anipetshop meet the following sourcing and product standards:
- Product authenticity: All pipettes are sourced directly from the original manufacturer, Bayer Animal Health. No generic or reformulated alternatives are stocked.
- Active ingredient equivalence: Emodepside and praziquantel concentrations match those in Profender products distributed in other markets, including the United States.
- Labeling: All products carry clear English labeling consistent with the manufacturer’s original specifications.
- Shelf life: Pipettes are supplied with sufficient remaining shelf life to ensure full potency at the time of administration.
- Source markets: Products are sourced from licensed and regulated supply chains across Australia and Europe.
How Profender Works on Cats
Profender for Cats reaches intestinal parasites through transdermal absorption rather than oral ingestion. The solution is applied to the skin at the base of the skull, where emodepside and praziquantel are absorbed through the skin layers into systemic circulation and transported to the intestinal tract. Praziquantel reaches peak serum concentration within approximately 19 hours of application; emodepside reaches peak concentration at approximately 3 days.
The two active ingredients act on distinct parasite groups through separate mechanisms. The table below compares their primary targets and modes of action:
| Ingredient | Primary Target | Mechanism of Action |
| Emodepside | Roundworms, hookworms | Stimulates presynaptic receptors at the neuromuscular junction, triggering release of inhibitory neuropeptides that cause flaccid paralysis and death. |
| Praziquantel | Tapeworms | Disrupts calcium ion permeability across the tegumental membrane, producing spastic paralysis and tegumental rupture. |
How Should You Administer Profender For Cats?
Apply Profender for Cats only to dry skin and dry fur. The application site is the base of the skull, selected because it is the area least accessible to the cat during grooming. Do not apply to broken, irritated, or wet skin, as this alters absorption and may cause localised discomfort.
Follow these steps to deliver the complete dose correctly:
- Prepare the pipette: Hold the applicator upright. Remove the cap, invert it, place the opposite end onto the pipette tip, and twist to break the seal. Remove the cap fully before proceeding.
- Position the cat: Confirm the coat and skin are completely dry. Locate the base of the skull at the back of the neck.
- Part the fur: Separate the hair with your fingers until the skin is clearly visible. The pipette tip must contact skin directly, not fur.
- Apply the dose: Press the tip firmly against the skin and squeeze the entire contents onto one spot in a single motion. Do not divide the dose across multiple sites.
- Withdraw correctly: Lift the pipette away from the skin before releasing your grip. Releasing grip while the tip remains in contact draws liquid back into the applicator, reducing the delivered dose.
After application, observe the following precautions to ensure full absorption and avoid secondary exposure:
Do not allow the cat or other household animals to lick the application site for at least one hour; ingestion of the excipients causes hypersalivation and vomiting. Children should not contact the site for 24 hours. Avoid wetting the coat for 24 to 48 hours, as moisture at the site during this window interferes with transdermal absorption. A powdery residue or stiffened hair at the application site for one to two days is a normal post-application finding.
Profender treats active infections with a single application and is not used as a scheduled preventive. For cats with repeated exposure risk, such as outdoor hunters, a three-month reapplication interval is commonly used. If reinfestation occurs within 30 days of a previous dose, consult your veterinarian before redosing.
Are There Any Side Effects of Profender For Cats to Consider?
The most frequently reported adverse reactions to Profender for Cats are localised to the application site and resolve without intervention. Systemic reactions are uncommon but have been documented, particularly following accidental ingestion or overdose. If neurological signs appear after application, contact your veterinarian promptly.
Side effects are organised below by the mechanism or route through which they arise:
Local reactions (topical exposure):
- Site irritation: Temporary alopecia, erythema, or pruritus at the base of the neck may occur in the 24 to 48 hours following application. These resolve without treatment in most cases.
- Coat appearance: Stiffened hair or a powdery residue at the application site for one to two days is a normal post-application finding, not an adverse reaction.
Reactions from oral exposure (licking):
- Hypersalivation: Contact with the excipients produces an intense bitter taste, resulting in profuse drooling or apparent foaming. This is a taste aversion response, not a toxicity event, and resolves once the compound clears the oral cavity.
- Gastrointestinal signs: Vomiting or diarrhea may follow accidental ingestion of the product before the application site has dried.
Systemic reactions (uncommon):
- Lethargy: Reduced activity or depression in the hours following application warrants monitoring. If lethargy persists beyond 24 hours, consult your veterinarian.
- Neurological signs: Tremors, ataxia, or incoordination have been reported in a small number of cases. These signs require immediate veterinary assessment.
- Anorexia: Temporary appetite reduction has been reported following application.
Are There Profender For Cats Alternatives That Don’t Require a Vet’s Prescription?
Several topical parasite-control products for cats are available at Anipetshop without a veterinary prescription. The alternatives below extend coverage beyond intestinal worms to include heartworm, fleas, ticks, and ear mites, depending on the product selected. Product selection should be based on the parasite risk profile relevant to your cat’s environment and lifestyle; consult your veterinarian if you are uncertain which coverage is appropriate.
The following prescription-free alternatives are stocked at Anipetshop:
- Revolution (selamectin): Treats heartworm, fleas, ear mites, and intestinal roundworms via monthly topical application. Does not cover tapeworms.
- Revolution Plus (selamectin + sarolaner): Extends Revolution’s coverage to include ticks through the addition of sarolaner, an isoxazoline-class acaricide. Applied monthly.
- Advocate (imidacloprid + moxidectin): Covers heartworm, fleas, ear mites, and intestinal roundworms and hookworms. Does not cover tapeworms or ticks. Applied monthly.
- Stronghold/ Stronghold Plus (selamectin-based): Covers heartworm, fleas, and ear mites. Stronghold Plus adds sarolaner for tick coverage. Applied monthly.
- NexGard Combo (esafoxolaner + eprinomectin + praziquantel): Covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms in a single monthly application. Currently the broadest-spectrum single-product option for cats available at Anipetshop.
- Bravecto Plus (fluralaner + moxidectin): Covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, and some intestinal parasites. A single dose provides protection for two months.
FAQs related to Profender For Cats
Is Profender a preventive or a treatment?
Profender is a purge treatment, not a preventive. It eliminates existing worm infections at the time of application but does not provide ongoing protection against reinfestation.
At what age can kittens receive Profender?
Kittens must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh a minimum of 2.2 lbs (1 kg). Administration below either threshold is contraindicated.
Can Profender for Cats be used on dogs or other animals?
No. Profender for Cats is formulated specifically for felines. Do not administer to dogs or other species.
How often should Profender be applied?
A single pipette constitutes a complete treatment for an active infection. If reinfestation is confirmed, reapplication every three months is a commonly used interval. Do not redose within 30 days without veterinary guidance.
Does the fur need to be dry before application?
Yes. The coat and skin must be completely dry at the time of application. Moisture at the site reduces transdermal absorption of emodepside and praziquantel.
Should the contents be rubbed into the skin after application?
No. Squeeze the entire pipette contents onto one spot and withdraw the applicator. Massaging the site is not required and does not improve absorption.
What if a dose is missed?
Profender treats active infections rather than preventing them on a fixed schedule, so a missed dose applies only if a treatment was planned for a confirmed or suspected infection. Apply as soon as the infection is identified and the cat meets the application conditions.
How quickly does Profender work?
Praziquantel begins acting on tapeworms within approximately 24 hours of application. Emodepside reaches peak serum concentration at approximately 3 days, with roundworm and hookworm clearance typically occurring within 48 hours of application.
Will worms be visible in the litter box after treatment?
Dead or expelled worms may appear in the feces within 2 to 3 days of application. This is an expected finding following successful treatment.
Is Profender safe for pregnant or lactating cats?
The safety of emodepside and praziquantel has not been established in breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats under U.S. regulatory standards. Do not administer Profender to pregnant or lactating cats without prior veterinary assessment.
How long after application can the cat be bathed?
Wait at least 24 to 48 hours before bathing or allowing the coat to become wet. Washing the application site before absorption is complete reduces the delivered dose.
Are there risks to humans handling Profender?
Pregnant women should wear gloves during application. Emodepside has demonstrated potential to interfere with fetal development in animal studies. Keep the product out of reach of children and wash hands after handling.
What precautions apply in multi-cat households?
Keep treated cats separated from other animals for at least one hour after application. Contact between animals at the application site before the product dries can result in secondary oral ingestion, causing hypersalivation and vomiting in the animal that licks the site.
Can Profender be applied to broken or irritated skin?
No. Do not apply to wounded, broken, or inflamed skin. Compromised skin alters the absorption rate and may cause localised pain at the application site.
