Quick Verdict
Bravecto earns the top score in this cluster. The 12-week duration eliminates the most common failure mode of monthly preventatives — forgetting a dose. It costs more per tablet but less per month than NexGard when the math is done. The efficacy figures are among the highest in the class.
Quick Answers
- One dose = 12 weeks of flea and tick protection
- Efficacy: 98.7% flea reduction within 4 hours; 100% tick kill within 8 hours
- Contains fluralaner — isoxazoline class ⚠️ caution in dogs with seizure history
- Best price: Canada Pet Care — $55-65 for 2-pack (6 months) vs $100-120 at US vet
- Better than monthly pills if you tend to forget doses
In This Article
Affiliate disclosure: ReviewPooch earns commission on purchases made through links in this article, at no cost to you.
The problem with monthly flea prevention
Monthly pills work — when you give them monthly. A single missed or late dose opens a window where fleas can get established. One female lays 50 eggs a day. The math gets ugly fast, and a full infestation in a carpeted house takes 3-4 months of consistent treatment to clear.
Bravecto solves the forgetting problem. One tablet covers 12 weeks. That's four doses a year instead of twelve — four chances to miss instead of twelve.
How fluralaner works
Bravecto uses fluralaner, also an isoxazoline, which kills fleas and ticks by overstimulating their nervous systems after they bite and feed on your dog. The mechanism is the same as NexGard's afoxolaner — the difference is pharmacokinetics. Fluralaner metabolizes more slowly, accumulates in skin tissue, and releases steadily over 12 weeks instead of burning through in 30 days.
Efficacy data
From FDA-submitted clinical studies:
- Fleas: 98.7% reduction within 4 hours — and that number actually improves through the 12-week period, reaching 99.5% by week 12
- Deer tick (Ixodes scapularis): 100% within 8 hours
- Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum): 100% within 48 hours
- Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus): 100% within 8 hours
The tick coverage across all major US species is broader than most monthly alternatives. For dogs in high-exposure environments, that matters.
⚠️ The isoxazoline safety warning
Same FDA advisory that applies to NexGard covers Bravecto: the isoxazoline class has been linked to tremors, ataxia, and seizures in some dogs and cats, particularly those with pre-existing neurological conditions.
Required label language: "Use with caution in animals with a history of neurologic disorders such as epilepsy."
For healthy dogs without a seizure history, the reaction rate is low. If your dog has epilepsy or any neurological history, talk to your vet before using Bravecto or any isoxazoline. Non-isoxazoline options include Frontline Plus and Seresto collar.
Bravecto vs NexGard: the honest comparison
Both are effective. The choice comes down to your dosing habits and your dog's profile.
Bravecto makes more sense if: You forget monthly medications, you want fewer vet trips to pick up refills, or your dog hates being pilled (four opportunities a year vs twelve). The tick coverage is also slightly broader in published comparisons.
NexGard makes more sense if: You prefer monthly dosing because it's easier to catch early adverse reactions, or you're combining it with a separate monthly heartworm pill and want everything on the same schedule.
Cost per month: Canada Pet Care prices a Bravecto 2-pack (6 months) at $55-65. NexGard 6-pack runs $70-85. Bravecto works out to $9-11/month; NexGard to $12-14/month. Bravecto is cheaper per month despite the higher per-dose price.
Bravecto for cats
Different product — Bravecto for cats is a topical spot-on, not a chewable. Different formulation for a different species. Canada Pet Care stocks both. If you have cats and dogs, they need separate products.
Where to buy without a US prescription
US vets charge $50-60 per 12-week Bravecto dose. Canada Pet Care sells the same Boehringer Ingelheim product sourced from Australian and European pharmacies — $55-65 for a 2-pack (6 months of coverage). Free shipping over $49, 7-10 business day delivery, 100% money-back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Can you split a Bravecto dose between two dogs?
No. Each weight class requires a precise dose — never split tablets. Buy individual weight-appropriate packs for each dog.
What if my dog doesn't eat the whole chew?
Hide it in food if needed. If it's not fully consumed, the dose may be incomplete. Check with Canada Pet Care or your vet about a replacement dose.
Is Bravecto safe for puppies?
Approved for puppies 6 months and older. Younger puppies need a monthly alternative. NexGard is approved from 8 weeks.
Can Bravecto cause hair loss?
Not a documented side effect in clinical studies. Hair loss after starting Bravecto usually points to an unrelated skin issue — see your vet if it persists.
Buy Bravecto at Canada Pet Care →Pros & Cons
Pros
- 12-week duration — 75% fewer doses per year
- 98.7% flea efficacy within 4 hours
- 100% tick efficacy on major US tick species
- Cheaper per month than NexGard
- Less room for human dosing error
Cons
- ⚠️ Isoxazoline — caution in dogs with seizure history
- Higher single-dose cost than monthly options
- Not approved for puppies under 6 months
- Prescription required in US (available at Canada Pet Care without Rx)
Comparison Table
| Product | Price/6mo | Doses/6mo | Flea Start | Tick Coverage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bravecto (12-wk) | $55-65 | 2 | 4 hrs | Broad | 9.1 |
| NexGard (monthly) | $70-85 | 6 | 4 hrs | Good | 8.8 |
| Simparica Trio | $115-135 | 6 | 3 hrs | Broad | 8.7 |
| Frontline Plus | $45-60 | 6 | 12 hrs | Good | 7.5 |
| Seresto Collar | $50-65 | 1 | 24 hrs | Good | 8.2 |
Bottom Line
One Bravecto chew protects your dog for 12 weeks. At Canada Pet Care a 2-pack (6 months coverage) runs $55-65 — roughly $9-11 per month vs $12-14 for monthly NexGard. The same product your US vet charges $50-60 per dose for.