Dog parents who enjoy taking their pets for regular walks are always at risk of encountering fleas or ticks. To safeguard your dog's well-being, taking proactive measures against these pesky parasites, which can affect their health year-round, is crucial. One essential step in protecting your dog is administering an effective flea and tick treatment.
Choosing the right flea and tick treatment, with many options, can be overwhelming. That's where this guide comes in. Simparica and Nexgard are two of the most trusted monthly chewable treatments for fleas and ticks. Both treatments are safe, effective, and provide reliable protection to keep your dog shielded from these harmful parasites.
Overview Of Simparica And Nexgard
Simparica is a highly palatable, flavored, chewable tablet that offers month-long protection against various external parasites. It is recommended for use in dogs and puppies six months and older, with a minimum weight of 2.8 lbs.
Nexgard for Dogs is a delicious beef-flavored chewable tablet that protects against external parasites for one month. This product is safe for puppies as young as eight weeks old and dogs weighing at least 4 lbs. Both options are convenient and effective, ensuring your dog remains protected from harmful parasites.
Similarities Between Simparica And Nexgard
Nexgard and Simparica offer several common advantages for pet parents looking to protect their dogs from parasites. Below are the key similarities:
Palatable Formulation
Nexgard and Simparica come in delicious, flavored chewable tablets, making them easy to administer. These products provide month-long protection against fleas and ticks.
Effective Flea Protection
Both treatments effectively kill adult fleas and help prevent flea infestations, ensuring your dog stays protected.
Comprehensive Tick Control
Simparica and Nexgard control various tick species, including Lone Star ticks, American dog ticks, Black-legged ticks, and Brown dog ticks.
Year-Round Usability
There's no need to wait for a specific season to begin treatment. Nexgard and Simparica can be used anytime during the year to maintain protection.
Animal Safety Considerations
The safety of using Nexgard or Simparica in pregnant, breeding or lactating dogs has not yet been fully evaluated.
Exclusively Designed for Dogs
Nexgard and Simparica are formulated specifically for dogs. Both treatments are clearly labeled for use in dogs and puppies only. It is important not to administer these products to cats, as doing so could cause harmful reactions.
Convenient Oral Chewable Form
Nexgard and Simparica are oral fleas and tick treatments in convenient chewable tablets. These treatments are simple to give and highly appetizing, making dosing your dog a stress-free experience.
Differences Between Simparica and Nexgard
While Nexgard and Simparica share certain similarities, there are distinct differences between these two popular treatments:
Minimum Age Requirement
Nexgard is suitable for puppies as young as eight weeks, while Simparica is recommended for dogs six months or older.
Active Ingredients
Simparica contains sarolaner as its active ingredient, whereas Nexgard uses afoxolaner. Although both belong to the isoxazoline class of drugs, they differ in their specific formulations.
Protection Against Gulf Coast Ticks
Simparica and Nexgard protect against American dog ticks, Lone Star, Black-legged, and Brown dog ticks. However, Simparica also offers additional protection against Gulf Coast ticks.
Speed of Action
Simparica begins working within three hours of administration, while Nexgard takes approximately four hours to kill parasites.
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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 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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Kills adult fleas within 3 hours and ticks within 8 hours of administration
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Application
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Beef-flavored chewable
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Liver-flavored chewable
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Active Ingredient(s)
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Dosage
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Monthly
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Monthly
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The Bottom Line
Both Simparica and Nexgard offer similar levels of protection against fleas and ticks. While their benefits are largely comparable, Simparica provides additional coverage against Gulf Coast ticks and begins working within three hours of administration.
On the other hand, Nexgard can be administered to younger puppies, starting as early as eight weeks old, making it an ideal choice for early protection. In the end, choosing between the two treatments will largely depend on your dog's age and the type of parasites you aim to protect against. It's always best to consult your veterinarian, who can recommend the most suitable solution based on your dog’s individual requirements.
