Comparing Simparica & Nexgard

By | May 9, 2023

Providing your canine companions with an effective flea and tick treatment is a key contributor to their health and wellness. There is an ocean of treatment options available and choosing one isn’t easy for pet parents. To make your job easier, we’ve shortlisted a couple of popular flea and tick products, Simparica and Nexgard.

This blog will compare the features and advantages offered by each of these products. At the same time, it explains key differences between these two in-demand products, so that you can choose the one that best suits your pet. Read through to know more.

comparing simparica and nexgard

About Simparica and Nexgard

Simparica is a palatable, flavored chewable formula that provides protection against various external parasites for one month. It is indicated for use in 6 months and older puppies and dogs, weighing 2.8 lbs or more.

Nexgard for Dogs is a tasty, beef-flavored chewable tablet that takes care of external parasites in dogs for one month. This composition is safe for use in 8 weeks and older puppies and dogs, weighing 4 lbs or more.

Similarities Between Simparica and Nexgard

Nexgard and Simparica share a set of features in common. Here they are:

Palatable Taste

Both Simparica and Nexgard are made in a tasty, flavored chewable formula. Each of these products provides protection against fleas and ticks for one month.

Flea Protection

Simparica and Nexgard, both of these treatments, kill adult fleas and they effectively prevent flea infestations in dogs.

Tick Control

Nexgard and Simparica treat and controls a variety of ticks including Lone Star ticks, American dog ticks, Black-legged ticks, and Brown dog ticks.

No Waiting

There’s no specific season or time to begin treating your dogs with Simparica or Nexgard. You may start using either of these treatments at any time of the year.

Animal Safety

The safe use of Nexgard or Simparica in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated.

simparica oral for dogs

Differences Between Simparica and Nexgard

While both Simparica and Nexgard have a few things in common, there are some differences as well between these popular treatments. 

Minimum Age

Nexgard is recommended for use in 8 weeks and older puppies and dogs; whereas Simparica is indicated for use in 6 months and older puppies and dogs.

The composition

Simparica for dogs contains sarolaner as an active ingredient, whereas Nexgard is made of afoxolaner. However, both these components belong to the isoxazoline class of drugs.

Protection against Gulf Coast Ticks

Nexgard and Simparica both treat and control four types of ticks including American dog ticks, Lone Star ticks, Black-legged ticks, and Brown dog ticks. Additionally, Simparica provides protection against Gulf Coast Ticks too.

Start Acting

Simparica starts working within three hours after initial administration, whereas Nexgard takes four hours to start killing parasites.

Nexgard for Dogs

The table below provides a thorough comparison of common features offered by Simparica and Nexgard.

Comparison table

Final Notes

Now you can tell, both Simparica and Nexgard offer more or less similar protection. When it comes to product benefits, there’s not much of a difference between these two. However, Simparica chewable provides additional protection against Gulf Coast ticks. Plus, it starts action early, within about three hours after administration.

Unlike Simparica, Nexgard lets you start young, as early as when your puppy is 8 weeks old. So, the choice between the two depends on how soon you want to begin protecting your puppy and the type of parasites you are targeting. It is always recommended to consult with a veterinarian before starting any treatment on your pet.