Quick Verdict
Simparica Trio is NexGard plus heartworm plus deworming in a single monthly tablet. If your dog already needs separate heartworm prevention, Simparica Trio is often the better value. If your dog only needs flea and tick coverage, NexGard is cheaper and still excellent.
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Quick Answers
- Simparica Trio covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworm and hookworm in one tablet
- NexGard covers fleas and ticks only β no heartworm
- Simparica Trio costs $40-50 more per 6 months at Canada Pet Care
- If dog already takes separate heartworm prevention, Simparica Trio saves the second tablet
- β οΈ Both are isoxazolines β caution in dogs with seizure history
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One tablet vs two
Both NexGard (afoxolaner) and Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, pyrantel) are monthly beef-flavored chewables that kill fleas and ticks. Simparica Trio also covers heartworm disease, roundworm, and hookworm.
If your dog is already on a monthly heartworm preventative, Simparica Trio replaces two tablets with one. That is what the price premium buys. Not sure which flea pill format is right? Our guide to flea pills for dogs covers all the main oral options and how they compare.
Coverage comparison
- Fleas: Both. NexGard kills 99.9% in 24 hours; Simparica Trio kills 100% in 24 hours. The difference here is negligible in practice.
- Ticks: Both cover major US species β deer tick, brown dog tick, American dog tick, lone star tick.
- Heartworm: Simparica Trio only. NexGard has no heartworm activity whatsoever.
- Roundworm and hookworm: Simparica Trio only (via pyrantel component).
Speed and efficacy
NexGard starts killing fleas within 4 hours. Simparica Trio starts within 3 hours. Both reach 99-100% kill within 24 hours. In practice, the difference rarely matters.
The sarolaner in Simparica Trio is slightly newer than NexGard's afoxolaner and shows marginally higher tick efficacy in some studies. In practice, both provide excellent tick control for US species.
Cost breakdown
At Canada Pet Care for a 6-month supply (medium-sized dog):
- NexGard: $70-85
- Simparica Trio: $115-135
- Difference: $40-50 more for Simparica Trio
Typical heartworm preventatives (Heartgard, Interceptor Plus) run $35-50 per 6 months at Canada Pet Care. Add that to NexGard's cost and the gap against Simparica Trio shrinks to $5-15 β often in Simparica Trio's favor when you factor in the convenience of one less monthly tablet.
When NexGard makes more sense
Your dog only needs flea and tick prevention β no heartworm risk in your area, or already on a separate protocol you want to keep. Older dogs where adding a new combination drug feels unnecessary. Budget is a priority and heartworm risk is genuinely low.
When Simparica Trio makes more sense
Your dog already takes monthly heartworm prevention. You live in a heartworm-endemic area (most of the continental US). You want the simplest possible protocol β one tablet, five parasites covered, done.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from NexGard to Simparica Trio?
Yes. Switch at the start of any monthly cycle. If you're adding heartworm coverage, make sure you've had a heartworm test first if the dog hasn't been on prevention consistently β treating an already-infected dog with preventatives can cause serious reactions.
Does Simparica Trio cover tapeworms?
No. Pyrantel (the dewormer in Simparica Trio) covers roundworm and hookworm only. Tapeworm requires a separate praziquantel treatment like Drontal or Panacur.
Is Simparica Trio the same as Simparica?
No. Simparica contains only sarolaner (flea and tick). Simparica Trio is the combination product that adds moxidectin and pyrantel for heartworm and deworming. They are different products.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- One tablet replaces flea/tick + heartworm prevention
- Often comparable cost when both products are calculated together
- High efficacy across all five parasite types
- Beef-flavored β most dogs accept willingly
Cons
- $40-50 more per 6 months vs NexGard alone
- Unnecessary cost if dog doesn't need heartworm prevention
- β οΈ Isoxazoline class β caution in seizure-history dogs
Comparison Table
| Product | Fleas | Ticks | Heartworm | Roundworm/Hookworm | Price/6mo at CPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simparica Trio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $115-135 |
| NexGard + Heartgard | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | $105-130 |
| NexGard alone | Yes | Yes | No | No | $70-85 |
| Bravecto + Heartgard | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | $90-115 |
Bottom Line
At Canada Pet Care, Simparica Trio runs $115-135 for a 6-pack vs $70-85 for NexGard. The gap narrows when you factor in the heartworm prevention you can stop buying separately.