Heartgard Plus Chewables has long been a market staple for oral heartworm prevention, combining ivermectin with pyrantel to protect against heartworm, roundworms and hookworms. Its position rests on decades of clinical use and a typically lower per-dose cost compared with newer combination chewables, making it a budget-friendly baseline option versus broader-spectrum products like Simparica Trio and NexGard Spectra that also address fleas and ticks.
Heart-focused protection
Dog-approved taste
Heart-focused protection
Dog-approved taste
Review Summary
"A long-trusted monthly chewable praised for easy dosing and reliable heartworm prevention; most owners report good palatability with only rare side effects."
Monthly simplicity
Monthly chewable with ivermectin + pyrantel to prevent heartworm disease and treat common intestinal roundworms.
Monthly simplicity
Monthly chewable with ivermectin + pyrantel to prevent heartworm disease and treat common intestinal roundworms.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Heartgard Plus Chewables has long been a market staple for oral heartworm prevention, combining ivermectin with pyrantel to protect against heartworm, roundworms and hookworms. Its position rests on decades of clinical use and a typically lower per-dose cost compared with newer combination chewables, making it a budget-friendly baseline option versus broader-spectrum products like Simparica Trio and NexGard Spectra that also address fleas and ticks.
Heart-focused protection
Dog-approved taste
Monthly simplicity
Monthly chewable with ivermectin + pyrantel to prevent heartworm disease and treat common intestinal roundworms.
Beef-flavored, easy-to-administer tablet many dogs accept readily.
Heart-focused protection
Dog-approved taste
Monthly simplicity
Monthly chewable with ivermectin + pyrantel to prevent heartworm disease and treat common intestinal roundworms.
Beef-flavored, easy-to-administer tablet many dogs accept readily.
$150-240 USD
Drontal Plus is a widely used flavoured, single-dose tablet that treats a broad spectrum of intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and many tapeworms), making it a strong clinic-friendly choice for rapid clearances. Compared with multi-day regimens like Panacur or Safe-Guard, its single-dose palatability reduces administration errors and labour costs, though it does not replace monthly heartworm preventive options such as Interceptor Plus.
Broad-spectrum coverage
Chicken-flavored charm
Broad-spectrum coverage
Chicken-flavored charm
Review Summary
"Consistently praised for broad‑spectrum, fast-acting efficacy and generally good palatability; occasional isolated gastrointestinal side effects are reported."
Single-dose ease
Contains praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate and febantel to treat tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms.
Single-dose ease
Contains praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate and febantel to treat tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Drontal Plus is a widely used flavoured, single-dose tablet that treats a broad spectrum of intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and many tapeworms), making it a strong clinic-friendly choice for rapid clearances. Compared with multi-day regimens like Panacur or Safe-Guard, its single-dose palatability reduces administration errors and labour costs, though it does not replace monthly heartworm preventive options such as Interceptor Plus.
Broad-spectrum coverage
Chicken-flavored charm
Single-dose ease
Contains praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate and febantel to treat tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms.
Flavoured chewable tablets improve acceptance for picky dogs.
Broad-spectrum coverage
Chicken-flavored charm
Single-dose ease
Contains praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate and febantel to treat tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms.
Flavoured chewable tablets improve acceptance for picky dogs.
$20-40 USD
Advantage II is recognized for targeted, reliable flea control using a combination that kills adult fleas and stops immature stages, making it cost-effective for households primarily battling fleas. Relative to the other treatments here it is usually more affordable than premium multi-parasite products and avoids permethrin-related concerns, but it offers limited tick protection compared with K9 Advantix II or the broader-spectrum Revolution Plus.
Lifecycle knockout
Monthly simple
Lifecycle knockout
Monthly simple
Review Summary
"Customers praise its strong flea-killing performance and suitability for puppies, though many note it doesn't control ticks well and reapplication is often needed in heavy infestations."
Fur-friendly charm
Formulated with imidacloprid plus pyriproxyfen to rapidly kill adult fleas and inhibit eggs and larvae.
Fur-friendly charm
Formulated with imidacloprid plus pyriproxyfen to rapidly kill adult fleas and inhibit eggs and larvae.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Advantage II is recognized for targeted, reliable flea control using a combination that kills adult fleas and stops immature stages, making it cost-effective for households primarily battling fleas. Relative to the other treatments here it is usually more affordable than premium multi-parasite products and avoids permethrin-related concerns, but it offers limited tick protection compared with K9 Advantix II or the broader-spectrum Revolution Plus.
Lifecycle knockout
Monthly simple
Fur-friendly charm
Formulated with imidacloprid plus pyriproxyfen to rapidly kill adult fleas and inhibit eggs and larvae.
Monthly topical treatment well-regarded for fast flea control and breaking infestations.
Lifecycle knockout
Monthly simple
Fur-friendly charm
Formulated with imidacloprid plus pyriproxyfen to rapidly kill adult fleas and inhibit eggs and larvae.
Monthly topical treatment well-regarded for fast flea control and breaking infestations.
$30-55 USD
NexGard is a widely available, monthly afoxolaner chewable focused specifically on flea and tick control, valued for its straightforward, single‑purpose approach and strong brand recognition. Compared with broader monthly combinations (Spectra, Simparica Trio, Credelio Plus) it is often less expensive per dose but may require purchasing additional products for heartworm or intestinal parasite protection.
Monthly flea & tick
Fast flea kill
Monthly flea & tick
Fast flea kill
Review Summary
"NexGard receives consistently positive reviews for reliably killing fleas and ticks with easy-to-administer monthly chewables; most owners report quick effectiveness and good palatability, while a minority note transient vomiting or lethargy. It is frequently recommended for routine seasonal protection."
Savory liver bite
Monthly afoxolaner chewable that reliably kills fleas and a wide range of ticks with rapid onset of action.
Savory liver bite
Monthly afoxolaner chewable that reliably kills fleas and a wide range of ticks with rapid onset of action.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
NexGard is a widely available, monthly afoxolaner chewable focused specifically on flea and tick control, valued for its straightforward, single‑purpose approach and strong brand recognition. Compared with broader monthly combinations (Spectra, Simparica Trio, Credelio Plus) it is often less expensive per dose but may require purchasing additional products for heartworm or intestinal parasite protection.
Monthly flea & tick
Fast flea kill
Savory liver bite
Monthly afoxolaner chewable that reliably kills fleas and a wide range of ticks with rapid onset of action.
Well-established product with simple once-a-month dosing and palatable formulation.
Monthly flea & tick
Fast flea kill
Savory liver bite
Monthly afoxolaner chewable that reliably kills fleas and a wide range of ticks with rapid onset of action.
Well-established product with simple once-a-month dosing and palatable formulation.
$120-220 USD
Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
Seresto is widely regarded as the best-in-class collar for dog flea and tick control because of its long-duration, low-maintenance design that spreads active ingredients gradually over several months, making it cost-effective over time compared with frequently replaced alternatives. It commands a premium price but delivers sustained protection and convenience that many cheaper collars on this list, like Hartz or Zodiac, do not match in terms of documented longevity and user convenience.
8-month protection — nap-ready
Water-resistant — puddle-proof
8-month protection — nap-ready
Water-resistant — puddle-proof
Review Summary
"Users report excellent, long-lasting protection (up to 8 months) and convenient, low-maintenance use; a minority of pet owners note skin irritation or other adverse events and caution from regulators. Overall praised for reliability and duration."
Low-odor comfort — nose-approved
Provides continuous, low-dose protection and repellency for up to 8 months.
Low-odor comfort — nose-approved
Provides continuous, low-dose protection and repellency for up to 8 months.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Seresto is widely regarded as the best-in-class collar for dog flea and tick control because of its long-duration, low-maintenance design that spreads active ingredients gradually over several months, making it cost-effective over time compared with frequently replaced alternatives. It commands a premium price but delivers sustained protection and convenience that many cheaper collars on this list, like Hartz or Zodiac, do not match in terms of documented longevity and user convenience.
8-month protection — nap-ready
Water-resistant — puddle-proof
Low-odor comfort — nose-approved
Provides continuous, low-dose protection and repellency for up to 8 months.
Dual active ingredients kill and repel fleas and ticks while reducing re-infestation.
8-month protection — nap-ready
Water-resistant — puddle-proof
Low-odor comfort — nose-approved
Provides continuous, low-dose protection and repellency for up to 8 months.
Dual active ingredients kill and repel fleas and ticks while reducing re-infestation.
$55-80 USD
NexGard Spectra pairs afoxolaner with milbemycin oxime to provide potent flea and tick control plus heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention in a palatable monthly chew, and it is often selected for its proven tick efficacy and broad parasite coverage. Technically it rivals Simparica Trio for comprehensive oral protection but uses a different isoxazoline (afoxolaner), which some veterinarians prefer for particular tick species; market penetration and distribution strength from its manufacturer also give it financial and availability advantages in many regions.
Beef-flavored treat
Broad parasite shield
Beef-flavored treat
Broad parasite shield
Review Summary
"NexGard Spectra is widely regarded as an effective, easy-to-administer chew that controls fleas, ticks and many intestinal parasites, with many owners noting rapid parasite control. A minority report stomach upset or rare neurological issues, but overall satisfaction is high."
Outdoor play enabler
Combines afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to control fleas and ticks while preventing heartworm and treating intestinal parasites.
Outdoor play enabler
Combines afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to control fleas and ticks while preventing heartworm and treating intestinal parasites.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
NexGard Spectra pairs afoxolaner with milbemycin oxime to provide potent flea and tick control plus heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention in a palatable monthly chew, and it is often selected for its proven tick efficacy and broad parasite coverage. Technically it rivals Simparica Trio for comprehensive oral protection but uses a different isoxazoline (afoxolaner), which some veterinarians prefer for particular tick species; market penetration and distribution strength from its manufacturer also give it financial and availability advantages in many regions.
Beef-flavored treat
Broad parasite shield
Outdoor play enabler
Combines afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to control fleas and ticks while preventing heartworm and treating intestinal parasites.
Monthly beef-flavored chewable that is easy to administer to most dogs.
Beef-flavored treat
Broad parasite shield
Outdoor play enabler
Combines afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to control fleas and ticks while preventing heartworm and treating intestinal parasites.
Monthly beef-flavored chewable that is easy to administer to most dogs.
$150-210 USD
Zodiac FleaTrol Premise Spray
Zodiac FleaTrol Premise Spray stands out as a targeted, professional-style option for dog homes when precision and longer residual control are needed — it allows spot treatment of bedding, kennels and outdoor perimeters with typically longer-lasting activity and often includes an IGR-compatible approach. Financially it is usually pricier per bottle than canned foggers, but technically superior for preventing re-infestation and for treating areas foggers can miss, so it is best used to supplement fogging in integrated flea control plans.
Flea-focused fighter
Long-residual guard
Flea-focused fighter
Long-residual guard
Review Summary
"Reviewers praise Zodiac FleaTrol Premise Spray for strong, long-lasting control of fleas and for treating both indoors and outdoor perimeters, with many noting noticeable residual activity. Some users caution about careful application and PPE but rate it highly for efficacy when applied correctly."
Targeted precision
Concentrated premise spray for targeted application to carpets, baseboards and bedding.
Targeted precision
Concentrated premise spray for targeted application to carpets, baseboards and bedding.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Zodiac FleaTrol Premise Spray stands out as a targeted, professional-style option for dog homes when precision and longer residual control are needed — it allows spot treatment of bedding, kennels and outdoor perimeters with typically longer-lasting activity and often includes an IGR-compatible approach. Financially it is usually pricier per bottle than canned foggers, but technically superior for preventing re-infestation and for treating areas foggers can miss, so it is best used to supplement fogging in integrated flea control plans.
Flea-focused fighter
Long-residual guard
Targeted precision
Concentrated premise spray for targeted application to carpets, baseboards and bedding.
Formulated to provide knockdown and residual activity when applied as directed.
Flea-focused fighter
Long-residual guard
Targeted precision
Concentrated premise spray for targeted application to carpets, baseboards and bedding.
Formulated to provide knockdown and residual activity when applied as directed.
$50-70 USD