Bravecto vs Simparica
Finding the best flea and tick treatment for your dog can be hard. It can quickly become overwhelming to choose with so many options to choose from. Luckily, Allivet has all the top recommended choices from vets. Two of the most often purchased treatments are Bravecto and Simparica. The information below will help you make the right choice for your furry friend.
What are the differences between Bravecto and Simparica
One key difference between Bravecto and Simparica is how often you have to administer the medication. You give your dog Bravecto once every 12 weeks whereas you need to administer Simparica once per month. This convenience alone is a reason many choose Bravecto. Both Simparica and Bravecto can't be administered until your dog is at least 6 months old.
Bravecto and Simparica use a pesticide from the "laners" class to treat fleas and ticks. Bravecto uses Fluralaner and begins to kill fleas in 2 hours. Bravecto kills many types of ticks including the lone star tick for 8 weeks. Simparica's active ingredient, Sarolaner, begins to kill fleas within 3 hours and ticks within 8 hours. When considering time to efficiency between these two, we'll consider it a tie.
Both products are safe for dogs when following directions and have been approved by the FDA to treat and prevent flea and tick infestations. However, unlike Bravecto, Simparica has yet to be approved for use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.
Simparica is not available for cats. However, Bravecto is available as a topical treatment - which provides an added benefit of being able to repel fleas and ticks.
Both Simparica and Bravecto will require a prescription from your vet before you can purchase. Your vet should be able to answer any questions related to side effects, precautions, or special care for your dog.
Final Thoughts on Bravecto vs Simparica
Bravecto costs just a little bit more than Simparica but is worth every penny if you value the convenience factor of administering only once every 12 weeks. It's also worth considering that Bravecto will kill any new fleas since administering it. No matter which option you choose, you can rest assured that your dog is safe and flea free.
If you still have questions on which oral flea and tick treatment is best for your furry friend, our pharmacists are standing by to offer pet parent consulting.
| Feature | Bravecto | Simparica |
|---|---|---|
| Kills Fleas | Yes | Yes |
| Repels Fleas | No | No |
| Kills Flea Eggs and Larvae | Yes | No |
| 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 | 2 hours to kill fleas and 12 hours to kill ticks | Kills fleas within 3 hours and ticks within 8 hours |
| Taste | Tasty flavor | Liver |
| Active Ingredient | Fluralaner | Sarolaner |
| RX Required | Yes | Yes |
| Application Type | Chewable Tablet | Chewable Tablet |
| Dosing | 1 tablet lasts up to 12 weeks | 1 tablet per month |
| Age | Dogs ages 6 months and up | Dogs 6 months and older weighing at least 2.8 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Merck Animal Health | Zoetis |
| Safety | Breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs may use | Not approved for breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs |