NexGard vs. Frontline: Which Flea and Tick Preventative Is Better for Your Dog?
Keeping your dog protected from fleas and ticks is crucial for their health and well-being. Both NexGard and Frontline are popular flea and tick preventatives, but choosing the best one depends on your pet’s lifestyle, health status, and environmental exposure. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each product to help you make an informed decision.
Importance of Flea and Tick Prevention
Fleas and ticks are not only annoying; they pose serious health risks. They can cause severe allergic reactions, dermatitis, anemia, infections, abscesses, paralysis, and even death. These parasites also transmit diseases like:
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Bartonellosis
- Tapeworms
- Babesiosis
Some of these diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can affect humans as well. Thus, effective year-round prevention is essential.
NexGard Overview
NexGard is an oral chewable tablet given monthly. It kills fleas and ticks by attacking their nervous systems after they bite the dog.
Pros:- Easy to administer
- No drying time, unlike topicals
- Cannot be rinsed or washed off
- Prescription-based, offering high efficacy and safety
- Does not repel ticks—only kills after biting
- May not suit dogs with a history of seizures or sensitivities
- Requires full ingestion for effectiveness
Frontline Overview
Frontline comes in several variations including Frontline Plus and Frontline Gold. These are topical spot-on treatments applied to the dog’s skin.
Pros:- Repels and kills fleas and ticks upon contact
- Widely available over-the-counter
- No need for parasites to bite to be killed
- Safe around children if application safety is followed
- Requires drying time post-application
- Reduced efficacy if dog swims or is bathed frequently
- Possible exposure to other pets before it dries
Comparing Effectiveness and Safety
Both products are veterinarian-approved and considered safe for most dogs, though NexGard is only available via prescription, which usually indicates a higher degree of trust and monitoring by professionals.
Tick control: Frontline starts killing ticks upon contact, while NexGard kills after bites, meaning Frontline may be more suitable in high-risk areas for tick-borne diseases.
Lifestyle considerations: NexGard is more convenient for dogs that swim or are bathed regularly. Frontline might be preferable for households with small children where oral medications are challenging.
When to Choose NexGard
- Your dog swims or gets frequent baths
- You prefer not having residue on your dog’s coat
- Your vet recommends a prescription-only chewable for targeted parasite control
When to Choose Frontline
- Your dog rarely gets wet or goes swimming
- You want immediate tick repellency before they bite
- You prefer an over-the-counter topical solution
Consulting Your Veterinarian
Choosing between NexGard and Frontline should not be done without a veterinary consultation. Consider the following before deciding:
- Your dog’s age, breed, and weight
- Prevalent parasites in your region
- Past medical history, including seizures or allergies
- Indoor vs. outdoor exposure
- Any known genetic mutations like MDR-1
Veterinarians can also recommend combination products that protect against fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites in one formula, depending on your dog’s needs.
Additional Considerations
Both NexGard and Frontline should be used as directed, with proper dosage and handling. Incorrect use or dosages may reduce effectiveness or cause adverse effects. For dogs living with cats, caution is advised with certain topical treatments like tick-repelling collars that may contain substances toxic to felines.
Conclusion
Is NexGard or Frontline better? It depends. NexGard offers ease of use and cleaner application, while Frontline provides repellency and is easily bought without a prescription. The best choice is the one tailored to your dog’s specific needs, local parasite threats, and veterinarian guidance.
