Nexgard vs Simparica
You are the highlight of your precious pet's life and so it makes sense you'll want to give them the quality of life that supports you both, with Allivet we're here to help you find the right flea and tick treatment for your dog or cat. We have two popular treatment plans that we'll look through today, Simparica Chewable Tablets and Nexgard Chewable Tablets. This guide will help you through the pros and cons of each in order to find what best suits you and your pets needs.
What are the differences between Simparica and Nexgard
Both Simparica and Nexgard are chewable tablets, Liver flavored for Simparica and Beef for Nexgard. The main differences between the two are the strength and speed at which the products work, with Simparica killing fleas in little as 3 hours and ticks within 8. Nexgard offers a 4 hour time frame for killing fleas while killing ticks in 24 hours. Simparica however must be administered safely to dogs that are at least 6 months old, while Nexgard can be safely administered at 8 weeks.
Both Nexgard and Simparica use a pesticide from the same Isoxazoline class to treat fleas and ticks. Nexgard uses Afoxoflaner and kills 100% of fleas in 24 hours. Simparica uses Sarolaner which over stimulates the nervous system of the pests which kill fleas and ticks. Nexgard is the only FDA approved option for preventing infections that cause Lyme disease.
Both products are safe for dogs when following directions and have been approved by the FDA to treat and prevent flea and tick infestations. While Simparica was trialed and not approved, Nexgard has not yet been evaluated for use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Nexgard chewable tablets and Simparica are not available for cats.
Simparica and Nexgard require a prescription from your veterinarian before they can be purchased. Your vet should be able to answer any questions related to side effects, precautions, or special care for your dog.
Final Thoughts on Simparica vs Nexgard
Overall, the costs for Nexgard and Simparica place Simparica as the least costly between the two. Since you can't start Simparica until 6 months, some pet owners may start with Nexgard and then switch to Simparica when able. Additionally, some pet owners may opt to switch over to alternatives such as Bravecto Chewable Tablets to protect breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs.
If you still have questions on which oral flea and tick treatment is best suited for your pets needs, our veterinarians are standing by to assist you.
| Feature | Simparica | NexGard |
|---|---|---|
| Kills Fleas | Yes | Yes |
| Repels Fleas | No | No |
| Kills Flea Eggs and Larvae | No | Yes |
| Kills Ticks | Yes | Yes |
| Repels Ticks | No | No |
| Repels Mosquitoes | No | No |
| Prevents Heartworm | No | No |
| Protects Against Other Parasites | No | No |
| Waterproof | Yes - taken orally | Yes - taken orally |
| How Long to Work | Kills fleas within 3 hours and tickets within 8 hours. | 4 hours to kill fleas and 24 hours hours to kill ticks |
| Taste | Liver | Beef Flavored |
| Active Ingredient | Sarolaner | Afoxolaner |
| RX Required | Yes | Yes |
| Application Type | Chewable Tablet | Chewable Tablet |
| Dosing | 1 tablet per month | 1 tablet per month |
| Age | Dogs 6 months and older weighing at least 2.8 pounds | Puppies 8 weeks and older and weigh more than 4 lbs |
| Manufacturer | Zoetis | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Safety | Not approved for breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs | Not yet evaluated for use of in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. |
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