Parenting dogs is not an easy task. In fact, it comes with a world of responsibilities. One of the major responsibilities is to keep our furry friends safe from internal and external parasites. But the wide range of treatments available on the market can tend to overwhelm you. Therefore, to help you out, we have come up with a comparison of three popular choices according to experts – Simparica Trio, Heartgard Plus and NexGard Spectra. This will help you choose the suitable treatment for your pooch.
Let’s get started!
Simparica Trio vs. Heartgard Plus vs. NexGard Spectra – An Overview
Simparica Trio
Simparica Trio comes in the form of highly palatable pork liver-flavored chews designed for monthly administration. It is indicated to prevent heartworm disease, kill adult fleas, treat and prevent flea infestations and treat and control tick infestations caused by Gulf Coast ticks, deer ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, Asian longhorned ticks and brown dog ticks. Simparica Trio also treats and controls hookworm and roundworm infections. The treatment further helps prevent Lyme disease by killing deer ticks. It is formulated or dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 2.8 lbs.
Heartgard Plus
Heartgard Plus is a real-beef chew that provides monthly protection to dogs and puppies against heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilariaimmitis). It also treats and controls roundworms and hookworms in dogs. The treatment is suitable for dogs and puppies from 6 weeks of age.
NexGard Spectra
NexGard Spectra is offered in the form of an oral beef-flavored monthly chew indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilariaimmitis. It also kills fleas, treats and prevents flea infestations and treats and prevents tick infestations caused by Asian longhorned ticks and brown dog ticks. The treatment further treats and controls intestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms and whipworms, besides mange and mites. The product is suitable for dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 4.40 lbs.
Simparica Trio, Heartgard Plus & NexGard Spectra – Similarities and Differences
Let’s look at the similarities and differences between Simparica Trio, Heartgard Plus and NexGard Spectra.
Similarities:
- All three treatments come in the form of oral chewables.
- Simparica Trio, Heartgard Plus & NexGard Spectra are designed to protect dogs against heartworm disease caused by Dirofilariaimmitis.
- All the products are formulated to treat and control gastrointestinal worms including roundworms and hookworms.
- Simparica Trio, Heartgard Plus & NexGard Spectra are designed for monthly administration.
Differences:
- Simparica Trio and NexGard Spectra kill adult fleas and treat and prevent flea infestations. Heartgard Plus has no such claims.
- While Simparica Trio and NexGard Spectra treat and prevent tick infestations, Heartgard Plus doesn’t.
- Simparica Trio is indicated to prevent Lyme disease by killing deer ticks. Heartgard Plus and NexGard Spectra are not designed to do so.
- NexGard Spectra is effective against mange and mites. Simparica Trio and Heartgard Plus have no such claims.
- While Simparica Trio and NexGard Spectra are suitable for dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, Heartgard Plus caters to canines from 6 weeks of age.
- Simparica Trio is safe for dogs and puppies weighing at least 2.8 lbs and NexGard Spectra is designed for canines weighing 4.40 lbs or more. Heartgard Plus doesn’t have any minimum weight criterion.
- While Simparica Trio is composed of Sarolaner, Moxidectin&Pyrantel as its active ingredients, Heartgard Plus is composed of Ivermectin and Pyrantel. NexGard Spectra, on the other hand, features Afoxolaner and Milbemycin Oxime as its active ingredients.
A Detailed Comparison
The following table features a detailed comparison of the key features of Simparica Trio, Heartgard Plus & NexGard Spectra.
Wrapping Up
Simparica Trio, Heartgard Plus and NexGard Spectra are vet-recommended oral chewable treatments formulated to protect dogs from a range of parasites. However, they differ when it comes to parasitic coverage, composition, as well as age and weight criteria.
If you want to protect your canine companion against heartworm disease, roundworms and hookworms, you can use any one of the products. However, if you want coverage against fleas, Asian longhorned ticks and brown dog ticks, you will have to go for Simparica Trio or NexGard Spectra.
For protection against tick species like American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, lone star ticks and Gulf Coast ticks and the prevention of Lyme disease, you will have to administer Simparica Trio. But if your dog needs coverage against whipworms, mange and mites, NexGard Spectra would be a suitable treatment.
You can procure all three treatments from CanadaVetExpress at discounted prices. Check out our online store to get your hands on your favorite products at unbeatable offers.