Dogs easily tend to fall prey to harmful parasites. The pesky organisms including fleas, ticks, worms, etc. infest your furry companions leading to harmful diseases. Therefore, it becomes immensely crucial for all dog parents to use effective parasite control treatments to keep both internal and external parasites at bay.
In this blog, we will discuss two such parasitic treatments for dogs, NexGard Chewables and NexGard Spectra. We will also provide a detailed comparison and help you opt for the treatment that suits your dog. Read on to find out more.
NexGard Chewables vs. NexGard Spectra – An Overview
NexGard Chewables
NexGard for Dogs is a beef-flavored chewable that kills adult fleas and treats and prevents flea infestations. It also helps control tick infestations of black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks and brown dog ticks for one month. NexGard is recommended for the prevention of Lyme disease infections due to the direct result of killing black-legged ticks. The treatment is suitable for dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 4 lbs.
NexGard Spectra
NexGard Spectra for Dogs is an oral treatment that helps prevent heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. It kills fleas, treats and prevents flea infestations and treats and controls tick infestations of bush ticks and brown dog ticks. It also treats and controls mange and mites and gastrointestinal worms including roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. The treatment can be offered to dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 4.40 lbs.
NexGard Chewables and NexGard Spectra – Similarities and Differences
Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between NexGard Chewables and NexGard Spectra:
Similarities:
- Both NexGard and NexGard Spectra are highly palatable chewable treatments.
- Each of them eliminates adult fleas and treats and prevents flea infestations.
- Both treatments treat and control tick infestations caused by brown dog ticks.
- NexGard and NexGard Spectra are suitable for dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age.
Differences:
- While NexGard Spectra prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, NexGard is not effective in preventing heartworm disease.
- NexGard Spectra treats and controls gastrointestinal worms including roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. NexGard doesn’t cover these parasites.
- NexGard treats and controls black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks and lone star ticks whereas NexGard Spectra protects against bush ticks and brown dog ticks.
- NexGard Spectra treats and controls mange and mites. NexGard is not formulated to eliminate these parasites.
- NexGard is indicated for the prevention of Lyme disease infections due to the direct result of killing black-legged ticks. NexGard Spectra has no such claims.
- While NexGard is composed of afoxolaner as its active ingredient, NexGard Spectra features Afoxolaner and Milbemycin Oxime.
Comparative Analysis
The following table provides the comparison of key features of NexGard for Dogs and NexGard Spectra for Dogs:
Wrapping Up
Both NexGard Chewables and NexGard Spectra are vet-recommended treatments that protect dogs and puppies against a wide range of internal and external parasites. However, they have different compositions, parasite coverage, dosage and weight criteria.
If you want to protect your canine against fleas and brown dog tick infestations, you can use either of the treatments. But if you want a broader tick coverage, you should go for NexGard. If you’re looking for protection against heartworm disease, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, mites and mange, go for NexGard Spectra.