Regardless of their breed, age, or size, all dogs are prone to heartworm disease. The long, thread-like parasites infest our dogs and cause irreversible damage to their hearts, lungs, and blood vessels, which can even be life-threatening. Therefore, as responsible dog parents, we must take the help of effective heartworm preventives to keep our canine babies safe from harmful infestations. In this blog, we will discuss 5 most popular heartworm preventives for dogs to help you choose a suitable one for your dog.
Let’s get started!
Popular Heartworm Preventives for Dogs
The following are some of the most effective heartworm preventives for dogs.
1. Heartgard Plus
Heartgard Plus is available in the form of highly palatable beef-flavored chews, indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. It is composed of Ivermectin and Pyrantel as its active ingredients. The product eliminates the tissue stage of heartworm larvae, thus preventing heartworm disease in dogs. It caters to dogs and puppies from 6 weeks of age. The preventive is designed for monthly administration and also treats and controls roundworms and hookworms.
Product Form: Oral Chews
Dosage: Once a Month
Benefits of Heartgard Plus
-Available as highly palatable beef-flavored chews.
– Prevents heartworm disease in dogs by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae
– Treats and controls hookworms and roundworms
– Caters to dogs and puppies from 6 weeks of age
2. Advantage Multi
Advantage Multi comes in the form of a topical spot-on formula, indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. It contains Imidacloprid and Moxidectin as its active ingredients and is suitable for dogs and puppies from 7 weeks of age, weighing at least 3 lbs. The product is formulated for monthly administration and is also effective against fleas, sarcoptic mange, as well as gastrointestinal worms like hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
Product Form: Topical Formula
Dosage: Once a Month
Benefits of Advantage Multi
– Designed for topical administration
– Prevents heartworm disease in dogs and puppies
– Treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
– Treats flea infestations
– Effective against sarcoptic mange
– Suitable for dogs and puppies from 7 weeks of age, weighing at least 3 lbs.
3. Revolution
Available as a topical formula, Revolution is designed to protect dogs from heartworm disease. It features Selamectin as its active ingredient and requires monthly administration. The product also protects dogs against fleas, ticks, sarcoptic mange, and ear mites. It is suitable for dogs and puppies from 6 weeks of age.
Product Form: Topical Formula
Dosage: Once a Month
Benefits of Revolution:
– Broad-spectrum parasitic treatment for dogs
– Prevents heartworm disease
– Treats fleas, ticks, mange, and mites
– Can be safely used in dogs and puppies from 6 weeks of age
4. Credelio Plus
Credelio Plus comes in the form of oral chews, indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. The product is composed of Lotilaner and Milbemycin oxime as its main ingredients. Besides preventing heartworm disease, Credelio Plus also treats and controls ticks, fleas, and intestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. It is also effective against demodex mites. The product further controls Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) and prevents flea tapeworm infestation. It is designed for monthly administration and can be safely used in dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 3.08 lbs.
Product Form: Oral Chews
Dosage: Once a Month
Benefits of Credelio Plus
– Comes in the form of highly palatable chews
– Prevents heartworm disease
– Treats and controls fleas and ticks
– Effective against demodex mites
– Controls Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
– Prevents flea tapeworm infestation, with effective flea control
– Effective against roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
– Suitable for dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 1.4 kg (~3.08 lbs.)
5. Interceptor
Interceptor is a broad-spectrum parasitic treatment, available as highly palatable chews. It prevents heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae. The product is composed of Milbemycin oxime as its active ingredient and caters to dogs and puppies from 4 weeks of age, weighing at least 2 lbs. Interceptor is designed for monthly administration and can also be used to eliminate and control intestinal worms like whipworms and roundworms, and control hookworms.
Product Form: Oral Chews
Dosage: Once a Month
Benefits of Interceptor
– Comes in the form of highly palatable chews
– Prevents heartworm disease in dogs by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae
– Eliminates and controls roundworms and whipworms
– Controls adult hookworms
– Caters to dogs and puppies from 4 weeks of age, weighing at least 2 lbs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- My dog has missed a dose of his monthly heartworm preventive. What should I do?
If your dog has missed a monthly dose of his heartworm preventive, redose immediately if it’s a few days late and reset your schedule. However, if more than 2 weeks have passed, seek your vet’s guidance.
- Do heartworm preventives protect against other parasites?
Many heartworm preventives are also designed to protect against fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and mites.
- Can a vaccine protect my dog against heartworm disease?
There is no vaccine to protect dogs against heartworm disease. The only way to protect dogs against heartworms is by administering oral or spot-on heartworm preventive.
- Are heartworm preventives safe for dogs?
Heartworm preventives for dogs are completely safe as long as they are used according to the instructions provided in the product labels.
Bottom Line
Heartworm prevention in dogs is always safer and more cost-effective than treating infections. However, make sure to get your dog tested for existing heartworms before starting any heartworm preventives.
At DiscountPetCare, we carry the above-mentioned heartworm preventives along with a plethora of other preventives at the best prices. Explore our online store to get your hands on your preferred products.
