Modern flea and tick control products are far safer and more effective than those used in decades past. NexGard® is a popular choice, but it isn’t right for every dog. With so many alternatives available, it can be difficult to compare their effectiveness and cost.

The table below lists ten popular alternatives to NexGard for dogs. We’ve listed four oral medications and six topical or collar products and the parasites they control.

10 Alternatives to NexGard for Dogs

Product	Parasites Controlled
Bravecto® Oral	Fleas, ticks
Credelio® Oral	Fleas, ticks
Simparica® Oral	Fleas, ticks
Simparica Trio® Oral	Fleas, ticks, hookworms, roundworms, and heartworms
Bravecto Spot-on	Fleas, ticks
Frontline® Gold, Plus or Tritak Spot-on	Fleas, ticks, and chewing lice. Plus and Tritak also control sarcoptic mange mites
K9 Advantix® & Advantix II® Spot-on	Fleas, ticks, mosquitos, lice, and flies
Revolution® Spot-on	Fleas, American dog ticks, ear mites, sarcoptic mange mites, and heartworms
Seresto® Collar	Fleas, ticks, chewing lice, and sarcoptic mange mites
Vectra 3D® Spot-on	Flea,s ticks, mosquitos, lice, sand flies and mites

Always confirm with your veterinarian that the product you choose is appropriate for your dog’s age, weight, and health.

What Is NexGard for Dogs?

NexGard is a monthly flea and tick preventative for dogs. It comes as a beef-flavored, chewable treat. Parasites it controls include fleas, American dog tick, brown dog tick, deer(black-legged) tick, and Lone star ticks. It’s approved for use in adult dogs and puppies at least 8 weeks of age and weighing at least 4 pounds.

NexGard’s active ingredient, afoxolaner, kills fleas and ticks. Available in 1, 3, or 6-dose packs for various weight ranges, monthly doses typically cost $21-$27 online.

Potential Side Effects of NexGard

Isoxazoline drugs, including afoxolaner (the active ingredient in NexGard), have been associated with rare neurological side effects such as tremors and seizures. The FDA advises owners to monitor pets for these reactions, though most dogs tolerate the medications well.

Bravecto, Credelio, Simparica, and Revolution Plus also contain isoxazoline drugs.

Other possible side effects include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Dry skin
Poor appetite
Lethargy
Hyperactivity/restlessness, panting
Itchiness, redness, rash, hives, or swelling of the skin

Why You Might Need Alternatives to NexGard

No product suits every pet. Reasons to look for alternatives to NexGard include:

Dog had an adverse reaction to NexGard
Dog has a food allergy to an ingredient
Dog won’t eat the pill
Pet owner prefers a topical product
NexGard is too costly
NexGard is not available in pet owner’s locale

Which Alternative to Choose

Here are some ideas to discuss with your veterinarian:

For dogs with neurological side effects: topical products such as Frontline may be safer since they aren’t absorbed into the bloodstream.
For dogs with food allergies: Bravecto (pork-flavored) or non-oral options such as spot-ons or collars may be better tolerated.
For budget-conscious owners: Seresto collars (lasting up to eight months for about $8 per month) and Frontline Plus (about $11–13 per month) are often more economical than NexGard.

Reader Question About NexGard

Question:

We have 2 dogs and the NexGard is killing us but we want to cover heartworms. Our yard is fenced in and we don’t take them anywhere. Are we safe to get something that doesn’t cover heartworms? –R.H.

Hi, R.H.,

Just a quick clarification: NexGard handles fleas and ticks, not heartworms (maybe you’re thinking of HeartGard?).

Don’t skip these treatments if your vet recommends them—mosquitoes (the carriers of heartworms) don’t respect fences!

Here are some money-saving tips for dog parasite control meds:

Ask your vet for generic preventives for heartworms and fleas/ticks, like ivermectin and fipronil.
Check online for deals. Pet pharmacies often have good ones. Or see if your vet will match online prices.

Summary

Choosing flea and tick control shouldn’t feel like decoding a chemistry textbook…

NexGard remains a reliable choice for many dogs, but it’s not the only one. With several effective oral and topical alternatives available, your veterinarian can help you find the best fit for your dog’s needs and your budget.

Author: TB Thompson, DVM is a veterinarian with 20+ years of experience in clinics, emergency medicine, and community shelters. She started Natural Pets HQ to give pet owners accessible, trustworthy guidance written by a real vet.

The content provided on NaturalPetsHQ.com is for general information only. It is not meant to replace individualized medical advice from your own veterinarian. Read more on the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use page.

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References

Frontline Vet Labs. (2022b, January 5). NexGard: Product Information. VetLabel.Com. Retrieved August 6, 2022, from https://vetlabel.com/lib/vet/meds/nexgard/
Center for Veterinary Medicine. (2021, August 13). Fact Sheet for Pet Owners and Veterinarians about Potential Adverse Events Associated with Isoxazoline Flea and Tick Products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved August 6, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/fact-sheet-pet-owners-and-veterinarians-about-potential-adverse-events-associated-isoxazoline-flea
Shoop, W. L., Hartline, E. J., Gould, B. R., Waddell, M. E., McDowell, R. G., Kinney, J. B., … & Confalone, P. N. (2014). Discovery and mode of action of afoxolaner, a new isoxazoline parasiticide for dogs. Veterinary Parasitology, 201(3-4), 179-189.