Pet medications · Pharmacist guide
NexGard vs Bravecto vs Simparica Trio: choosing flea & tick protection
Three of the most-asked-about oral flea and tick medications for dogs, compared by a Windsor-Essex pharmacist. Here's how they differ in duration, parasite coverage, and dosing — plus how to get them at the best price locally.
Quick take
- Longest interval: Bravecto — one chew every 12 weeks.
- Best all-in-one monthly: Simparica Trio or NexGard Spectra — flea, tick, heartworm, and worms in one chew.
- Smallest puppies: Simparica Trio starts at 1.25 kg / 2.8 lb from 8 weeks.
- Prescription: All three are prescription-only in Canada — we fill and price-match.
Side-by-side comparison
| Product | Dose interval | Fleas | Ticks | Heartworm | Intestinal worms | Min age / weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NexGard (afoxolaner) Boehringer Ingelheim | 1 month | Yes | Yes | — | — | 8 weeks 1.8 kg (4 lb) |
| NexGard Spectra (afoxolaner + milbemycin) Boehringer Ingelheim | 1 month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 weeks 2 kg (4.4 lb) |
| Bravecto (fluralaner) Merck Animal Health | 12 weeks | Yes | Yes | — | — | 6 months 2 kg (4.4 lb) |
| Simparica Trio (sarolaner + moxidectin + pyrantel) Zoetis | 1 month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 weeks 1.25 kg (2.8 lb) |
How each medication works
NexGard (afoxolaner)
Boehringer Ingelheim · Chewable tablet · every 1 month
Beef-flavoured monthly chew. Kills fleas and the four main Canadian tick species (including black-legged deer ticks that carry Lyme). Add a separate heartworm preventative if needed.
NexGard Spectra (afoxolaner + milbemycin)
Boehringer Ingelheim · Chewable tablet · every 1 month
All-in-one monthly chew that adds heartworm prevention and roundworm/hookworm/whipworm coverage on top of NexGard's flea & tick protection.
Bravecto (fluralaner)
Merck Animal Health · Chewable tablet or topical · every 12 weeks
One chew every 12 weeks — the longest-lasting oral option. Great for households that forget monthly doses. Does not cover heartworm; pair with a heartworm preventative.
Simparica Trio (sarolaner + moxidectin + pyrantel)
Zoetis · Chewable tablet · every 1 month
Monthly all-in-one: fleas, five tick species, heartworm, roundworms, and hookworms in a single liver-flavoured chew.
Which one should you pick?
- Busy household, hard to remember monthly doses: Bravecto (12-week interval), paired with a monthly heartworm preventative.
- Want one chew that does everything: Simparica Trio or NexGard Spectra — flea, tick, heartworm, and intestinal worms in a single monthly dose.
- Very small puppy (under 2 kg): Simparica Trio has the lowest minimum weight (1.25 kg).
- Sensitive dog on other medications: Bring the list to our pharmacist — we'll check for interactions before you fill.
Fill locally in Windsor-Essex
Talbot Street Pharmacy in Essex and Walker Gates Pharmacy in Windsor stock all three products and price-match verified competitor quotes on pet medications. Bring your veterinarian's prescription in-store, fax it to us, or start a refill online — we'll confirm availability and pricing before we dispense.
Frequently asked questions
- Which lasts longest — NexGard, Bravecto, or Simparica Trio?
- Bravecto lasts 12 weeks per dose. NexGard and Simparica Trio are monthly. If remembering monthly doses is a challenge, Bravecto's 12-week interval is the easiest.
- Which covers heartworm?
- Simparica Trio and NexGard Spectra include heartworm prevention. Plain NexGard and Bravecto do not — you'll need a separate heartworm preventative alongside them.
- Is NexGard Plus the same as NexGard Spectra?
- They're close cousins. NexGard Plus (US brand) and NexGard Spectra (Canada) are afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime combinations covering fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms.
- Do you price-match on pet medications?
- Yes. Talbot Street Pharmacy and Walker Gates Pharmacy price-match verified competitor quotes on NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica Trio, and most veterinary medications sold in Ontario.
- Do I need a prescription?
- Yes — flea, tick, and heartworm chews are prescription-only in Canada. Bring or forward your veterinarian's prescription and we'll handle the rest.