Simparica vs Heartgard Plus

Dog parents can all agree on one thing - your pup deserves the best. That’s why choosing the right flea and tick treatment is so important. Two of the best-loved parasite treatment options are Simparica Tablets and Heartgard Plus Chewables. While these are both excellent ways to protect your dog against frustrating and potentially dangerous infestations, it can be difficult to discern the differences. Luckily, we’ve put together a comparison table and some additional information to help you make the best choice for your dog.

Simparica

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Heartgard Plus for Dogs

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What are the differences between Simparica and Heartgard Plus?

At a glance, it may appear that these two oral treatments are pretty similar. They are both administered once monthly, and they both protect your dog against harmful parasites. Both products are available only with a prescription from a veterinarian. However, many of the similarities between these two treatment options end there.

First of all, the key difference is that Simparica is an oral flea and tick treatment that kills both ticks and fleas. In contrast, Heartgard Plus kills roundworms and hookworms, and it protects your dog against heartworms. Simparica contains Saroloner, while Heartgard Plus contains Pyrantel Pamoate and Ivermectin as active ingredients.

Simparica is safe for use in dogs ages 6 months and up, and Heartgard Plus can be administered to puppies from the age of 6 weeks. Heartgard Plus is also safe for use in breeding or pregnant female dogs, while Simparica has not been evaluated for safe use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.

Final Thoughts on Simparica vs. Heartgard Plus

While these products are both oral, once-monthly parasite treatment and preventative medications, they are also quite different from one another. Be sure to consult your veterinarian about administering heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, flea, and tick treatment or preventative medications to your dog. Your veterinarian might recommend the use of one or more products to keep your dog healthy and protected year-round. For full-spectrum parasite protection, some veterinarians may choose to prescribe both Simparica and Heartgard Plus together.

If you have further questions, be sure to give the pharmacists at Allivet a call! They are available and ready to help pet parents navigate choosing and administering medications.

Feature Simparica Heartgard Plus
Kills Fleas Yes No
Repels Fleas No No
Kills Flea Eggs and Larvae No No
Kills Ticks Yes No
Repels Ticks No No
Repels Mosquitoes No No
Prevents Heartworm No Yes
Other Parasites No Hookworms and roundworms
Waterproof Yes since taken orally Yes
How Long to work Kills fleas within 3 hours and tickets within 8 hours. N/A
Taste Liver Beef flavored
Active Ingredient Sarolaner Ivermectin and Pyrantel Pamoate
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 Dogs 6 weeks and older
Manufacturer Zoetis Boehringer Ingelheim
Safety Not approved for breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs. Safe for pregnant or breeding females.

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