Simparica vs Bravecto vs Nexgard

Every dog owner wants to keep their furry companion safe from fleas and ticks, and for good reason. These pesky parasites can transmit a variety of diseases that pose serious risks to your pet’s health. Fortunately, protecting your dog can be as simple as offering a tasty chewable treat once a month or every three months. With oral flea and tick preventatives like Nexgard, Bravecto, and Simparica, you can effectively shield your dog from these harmful pests. These trusted products not only eliminate fleas and ticks but also provide long-lasting protection, ensuring your pet stays healthy and parasite-free with minimal effort.

Comparison Table: Simparica, Bravecto, and Nexgard

Here’s a detailed side-by-side comparison of Simparica, Bravecto, and Nexgard to help you choose the best flea and tick prevention for your dog. The table below highlights their key features, effectiveness, and unique benefits.

Feature	Nexgard	Bravecto	Simparica
Form	Monthly chewable	Two options: Chewable (every 12 weeks) or Spot-on (every 12 weeks)	Monthly chewable
Active Ingredient	Afoxolaner – Kills fleas and ticks by targeting the neurotransmitter GABA, disrupting their synaptic function.	Fluralaner – Targets fleas and a variety of tick species by inhibiting the nervous system.	Sarolaner – Provides comprehensive flea and tick protection by inhibiting their nervous system.
Protection Against Fleas	Kills adult fleas and prevents infestations.	Eliminates adult fleas and disrupts the flea life cycle, controlling infestations for 12 weeks.	Kills adult fleas, prevents infestations, and protects year-round with monthly use.
Protection Against Ticks	Effective against ticks (e.g., black-legged ticks) for 30 days and reduces the risk of Lyme disease.	Controls multiple tick species: black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, and brown dog ticks for up to 12 weeks.	Targets several tick species, including black-legged ticks, lone star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, and brown dog ticks.
Additional Parasite Control	None	Covers multiple intestinal parasites: roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and heartworms (spot-on version only).	None
Age and Weight Requirements	Puppies and dogs 8 weeks or older, weighing at least 2 kg.	Puppies and dogs 6 months or older for chewable or spot-on versions; weight requirements vary by product.	Puppies and dogs 6 months or older, weighing at least 1.3 kg.
Duration of Effectiveness	Protects for one month per chew.	Provides 12 weeks of protection per dose for both chewable and spot-on formulations.	Protects for one month per chew.
Manufacturer	Merial (a Boehringer Ingelheim company)	Merck Animal Health	Zoetis
Unique Benefits	Treats and reduces Lyme disease risk from black-legged ticks.	Offers extended protection for up to 12 weeks; spot-on option is ideal for picky eaters; covers a wide range of fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites (spot-on version).	Year-round monthly protection with a focus on comprehensive tick prevention and flea infestations.

Detailed Comparison

Nexgard

Nexgard is a monthly beef-flavored chew that provides effective flea and tick protection for dogs and puppies as young as 8 weeks old, weighing at least 2 kg. Its active ingredient, Afoxolaner, kills fleas and ticks by targeting their nervous system. Nexgard is especially beneficial for dogs in areas where Lyme disease, caused by black-legged ticks, is a concern, as it significantly reduces the risk of this dangerous condition.

Bravecto

Bravecto stands out with its extended protection, offering 12 weeks of flea and tick prevention in a single dose. Available as a chewable or a spot-on solution, it’s suitable for dogs as young as 6 months. Its active ingredient, Fluralaner, not only eliminates fleas and ticks but also helps control various intestinal parasites when used in the spot-on form. This versatility makes it a great choice for pet owners seeking long-lasting protection and a broad spectrum of coverage.

Simparica

Simparica offers monthly chewable protection against fleas and a wide range of tick species. Its active ingredient, Sarolaner, provides robust defense against pests while preventing infestations. Designed for dogs 6 months and older, Simparica is ideal for year-round protection with its simple monthly dosing schedule.

Feature	Nexgard	Bravecto	Simparica
Date of Launch	2013	2016	2016
Active Ingredients	Afoxolaner and Milbemycin Oxime	Fluralaner	Sarolaner
Mode of Application	Chewable	Chewable or Spot-On	Chewable
Flavour	Beef Flavoured Chew	Tasty Chew	Liver Flavoured Chew
Length of Protection	Monthly	8–12 Weeks	35 Days
Repels Fleas	❌	❌	❌
Kills Flea Larvae & Eggs	Kills fleas before they lay eggs	Kills new emerged fleas before they lay eggs	❌
Kills Fleas	✅	✅	✅
Kills Ticks	✅	✅	✅
Repels Ticks	❌	❌	❌
Effectiveness	Kills 100% of fleas within 24 hours	Starts to kill fleas in 2 hours	Begins to kill fleas within 3 hours

Which Should You Choose?

• For Long-Lasting Protection: Choose Bravecto if you prefer less frequent dosing and broader coverage, especially for intestinal parasites.
• For Lyme Disease Prevention: Nexgard is the best option to minimize the risk of Lyme disease caused by black-legged ticks.
• For Comprehensive Tick Control: Simparica offers excellent protection against various tick species and is perfect for consistent monthly use.

Each product is effective in its own right, but your choice should depend on your dog’s specific needs, lifestyle, and your preference for dosing frequency. Always consult your veterinarian to determine the best option for your pet.