Simparica Trio

Why it is listed

Simparica Trio is an FDA-approved monthly chew for dogs that prevents heartworm disease and also covers fleas, six tick species, roundworms, and hookworms. It is prescription-only and carries the isoxazoline neurologic warning. Ask a veterinarian before use if the dog has a seizure history. This is the same Zoetis product listed on our flea and tick ranking.

Pros & cons

Pros

• DailyMed / NADA 141-521: prevents heartworm disease; treats/controls roundworms and hookworms; kills adult fleas; labeled for six tick species; prevents Borrelia burgdorferi by killing Ixodes scapularis; prevents Dipylidium caninum as a direct result of killing vector fleas.
• Zoetis pet-owner page: can be given with or without food. Dogs and puppies 8 weeks+, 2.8 lb+.
• One monthly chew can replace a separate heartworm preventive plus a separate flea/tick product when a veterinarian chooses this protocol.

Cons

• Contains sarolaner (isoxazoline). FDA fact sheet and the Trio label warn of neurologic adverse reactions including seizures, including in dogs without a prior history. Use with caution if there is a seizure/neurologic history.
• Prescription only. Not a cat product. Does not treat whipworms (unlike Interceptor Plus / Advantage Multi).
• Same product is also on our flea and tick ranking; this row scores the heartworm combo, not a second product.

Score breakdown