Protecting your pet from fleas and ticks is not just a matter of comfort; it's a crucial part of their health care. These pesky pests can make your pet sick, so keeping them under control all year round is not just a choice; it's a necessity.
The most common ways to tackle fleas and ticks are topical treatments (applied to the skin) and oral chewables (taken by mouth). Oral chewables like Bravecto and Nexgard have gained popularity recently for their effectiveness in keeping pets safe from these parasites.
Advantages Of Oral Chewables
Oral flea treatments work fast, effectively kill fleas and ticks, and provide long-lasting protection. They're also easier to give your pet than topical treatments, as they usually come in tasty meat-flavored tablets that dogs enjoy. You don't have to apply anything to your pet's skin or wait for it to dry before it can get wet, and there's no worry about young children or other pets coming into contact with the treatment.
Bravecto and Nexgard are excellent flea and tick control options that eliminate these pests. Choosing between them depends on your pet's needs and your personal preference.
Bravecto:
Bravecto is a widely acclaimed oral flea and tick treatment manufactured by Merck Animal Health. Its active ingredient is fluralaner, which belongs to the isoxazoline class of compounds. It disrupts the nervous systems of fleas and ticks, ultimately leading to their demise. One of the standout features of Bravecto is its long-lasting effectiveness, with a single dose protecting against fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks.
The convenience factor must be balanced with Bravecto. Administered orally, it eliminates the need for messy topical applications and ensures that your pet is protected from parasites without the hassle of frequent treatments. Moreover, Bravecto is available in various formulations catering to different pet sizes, making it suitable for small and large breeds.
Nexgard:
Nexgard, on the other hand, is another oral flea and tick preventive manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. The active ingredient in Nexgard is afoxolaner, which belongs to the isoxazoline class of compounds. Similar to Bravecto, Nexgard targets fleas and ticks' nervous system upon ingestion, effectively killing them within hours of contact with your pet.
One of Nexgard's distinguishing features is its palatable beef-flavored chewable formulation, which makes it easier to administer to dogs who may be picky eaters. Additionally, Nexgard protects against fleas and ticks for up to one month, offering consistent coverage against infestations.
Treatment Schedule
When choosing between Bravecto and Nexgard, you'll also consider how often you want to treat your pet with fleas and ticks. Bravecto lasts 12 weeks (or three months), meaning you administer it less frequently, while Nexgard must be given to your dog every month.
Pet Type
Because it's tricky to get cats to take tablets, chewable flea treatments are usually made for dogs, and both Bravecto and Nexgard follow this trend. Bravecto chews and Nexgard chewables are specifically designed for dogs. However, it's worth noting that Bravecto also offers a topical treatment suitable for cats.
Pet Age
If you have a pup (at least eight weeks old), you'll want to go with Nexgard to tackle fleas and ticks. Bravecto chews are only suitable for dogs at least six months old and weighing at least 4.4 pounds.
Treatment Duration
Even though both Bravecto and Nexgard are great at eliminating fleas, their speed of action varies. Bravecto begins killing fleas within 2 hours, whereas Nexgard takes up to 24 hours to kill 100% of fleas.
Comparison Between Nexgard and Bravecto
Nexgard Chewables and Bravecto Chews are the most popular flea and tick treatments.
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Kills Fleas
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Repels Fleas
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Kills Flea Eggs and Larvae
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Kills newly emerged fleas before they can lay eggs
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Kills newly emerged fleas before they can lay eggs
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Kills Ticks
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Repels Ticks
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Kills and/or Repels Mosquitoes
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Other Parasites
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Safe for Pregnant or Nursing Pets
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When does it starts working
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Kills 100% of fleas within 24 hours
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Starts to kill fleas in 2 hours
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Application
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Beef-flavored chewable
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Pork-flavored chewable
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Active Ingredient(s)
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Dosage
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Monthly
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Every 12 weeks
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