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Choosing a monthly parasite preventive can be confusing because products that look similar may provide very different protection. The right choice depends on your dog’s age, weight, health history, lifestyle, and exposure to fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
This NexGard Plus vs Heartgard Plus comparison explains what each chew covers, where they differ and what to discuss with your veterinarian before purchasing.
What Is NexGard Plus?
NexGard Plus is a prescription monthly chew containing three active ingredients:
- Afoxolaner for fleas and ticks
- Moxidectin for heartworm prevention
- Pyrantel for roundworms and hookworms
It kills adult fleas, treats and controls several tick species, prevents heartworm disease, and treats common roundworm and hookworm infections. Under the current U.S. label, it can be used in dogs and puppies aged eight weeks or older weighing at least 4 lbs.
NexGard Plus may appeal to owners who want broad parasite protection in one monthly chew instead of giving separate flea, tick, and heartworm products.
What Is Heartgard Plus?
Heartgard Plus is a prescription monthly chew containing:
- Ivermectin for heartworm prevention
- Pyrantel for roundworms and hookworms
It prevents canine heartworm disease and treats and controls certain roundworm and hookworm infections. It is recommended for dogs and puppies aged six weeks or older.
Heartgard Plus does not kill fleas or ticks. Dogs taking it may therefore need a separate flea-and-tick treatment, depending on their risk and veterinary recommendation.
NexGard Plus vs Heartgard Plus: Main Differences
|
Feature |
||
|
Dosing schedule |
Once monthly |
Once monthly |
|
Active ingredients |
Afoxolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel |
Ivermectin and pyrantel |
|
Heartworm prevention |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Flea protection |
Yes |
No |
|
Tick protection |
Yes |
No |
|
Roundworm treatment |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Hookworm treatment |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Minimum age |
8 weeks |
6 weeks |
|
Minimum weight |
4 lbs |
Follow the veterinarian's weight range |
The most important difference in the NexGard Plus vs Heartgard Plus comparison is external parasite coverage. Both products help protect against heartworm and selected intestinal worms, but only NexGard Plus also treats fleas and ticks.
When Might NexGard Plus Be the Better Choice?
Your veterinarian may recommend NexGard Plus when your dog needs protection against several parasites, and you prefer one monthly product.
It may be more suitable for dogs that:
- Spend time in grassy, wooded or tick-prone areas
- Frequently visit parks, boarding facilities or grooming salons
- Have an ongoing risk of flea exposure
- Need heartworm, flea and tick protection together
- Are difficult to give several different medicines
Using one broad-spectrum chew can also make the monthly treatment schedule easier to remember.
When Might Heartgard Plus Be the Better Choice?
Heartgard Plus may suit dogs that mainly need heartworm and intestinal worm protection or already receive a separate flea-and-tick product recommended by their veterinarian.
It may be considered when:
- Your dog already uses another effective flea-and-tick treatment
- A younger puppy is not yet old or heavy enough for NexGard Plus
- Your veterinarian prefers ivermectin-based heartworm prevention
- Your dog does not need an all-in-one parasite product
Do not automatically combine Heartgard Plus with other parasite medicines. Some products contain overlapping active ingredients, so your veterinarian should confirm that the combination is appropriate.
What About Side Effects?
Both products can cause side effects, although many dogs tolerate monthly preventives well. Possible digestive reactions may include vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite or tiredness.
NexGard Plus contains afoxolaner, which belongs to the isoxazoline class. The FDA advises that this class has been associated with possible neurologic reactions, including tremors, poor coordination, and seizures, even in some animals without a previous seizure history. Discuss this carefully with your veterinarian if your dog has experienced seizures or another neurologic condition.
Heartgard Plus post-approval reports have also included vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and neurologic signs. These reports do not always prove that the medicine caused the reaction.
Contact your veterinarian promptly if your dog develops persistent vomiting, severe weakness, tremors, difficulty walking, seizures, or another unusual reaction.
Can You Switch Between Them?
Do not switch heartworm preventives without professional guidance. Your veterinarian may need to confirm the date of the previous dose and perform a heartworm test before recommending a new product.
Heartworm preventives do not treat established adult heartworms. Dogs should be tested for an existing infection before starting a preventive program, particularly if doses have been missed or the dog’s treatment history is uncertain.
Which One Does Your Dog Need?
In the NexGard Plus vs Heartgard Plus decision, NexGard Plus provides the broader range of protection because it covers fleas and ticks in addition to heartworm, roundworms, and hookworms.
Heartgard Plus may be enough when your dog already receives separate flea-and-tick protection or when your veterinarian recommends a more focused heartworm preventive.
Neither option is automatically best for every dog. Your veterinarian should consider your dog’s age, weight, medical history, local parasite risks, and current medications.
Once your veterinarian recommends the right product, select the correct weight range and follow the monthly schedule carefully. Explore genuine dog parasite treatments at 79pets.com and keep every dose recorded so your dog remains consistently protected.
