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Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM
| Features | Simparica Trio | Trifexis |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription required | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum age | 8 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Minimum weight of dog | 2.8 lbs. | 5 lbs. |
| Form | Chewable | Chewable |
| How often to take | Once a month | Once a month |
| Active ingredients | Sarolaner, moxidectin, pyrantel | Milbemycin oxime, spinosad |
| Kills fleas | Yes | Yes |
| Time to work | Starts killing fleas within 4 hours | Starts killing fleas within 30 minutes |
| Prevents flea infestations | Yes | Yes |
| Prevents heartworm disease | Yes | Yes
|
| Treats hookworms |
Yes | Yes |
| Treats roundworms | Yes | Yes |
| Treats whipworms | No
|
Yes |
| Treats lone star ticks | Yes | No |
| Treats brown dog ticks | Yes | No |
| Treats gulf coast ticks | Yes | No |
| Treats American dog ticks | Yes | No |
| Treats black-legged ticks | Yes | No |
When comparing Simparica Trio vs. Trifexis safety, it’s important to note that both medications may cause side effects in your pet.
Side effects listed for Trifexis include:
The class of drugs that Simparica Trio falls into has been associated with neurological adverse reactions, and side effects may include:
If your dog has a history of neurological issues, including seizures, it may be best to find an alternative flea & tick medication to Simparica Trio. Your dog’s vet can make a flea & tick medication recommendation based on your canine’s unique health history. Take a look at 6 Flea Treatment Options for Your Dog or Cat.
All pet parents should consistently provide flea prevention treatments to their dogs. This is vital to keeping your dog comfortable and healthy because fleas can transmit dangerous diseases to your pet.
Simparica Trio and Trifexis are two popular flea treatments, and they have a lot in common. They are both flavored chewables that can treat active flea infestations as well as prevent future infestations. They also both prevent heartworms, hookworms and roundworms.
Despite their many commonalities, however, there are some important differences between Simparica Trio and Trifexis. Let’s start with active ingredients. Trifexis contains milbemycin oxime (a member of the macrocyclic lactone class of parasiticides) and spinosad (a member of the spinosyns class of parasiticides). Simparica Trio contains sarolaner (a member of the isoxazoline class of parasiticides), moxidectin (a member of the macrocyclic lactone class of parasiticides) and pyrantel.
The biggest difference between Simparica and Trifexis is that Simparica Trio is approved to treat and control five different tick species, including lone star ticks, gulf coast ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks and black-legged ticks, which have been known to carry Lyme disease. If you live in an area where ticks are a risk, Simparica Trio may be a better option for your dog. Trifexis, however, treats whipworms, which Simparica Trio does not.
What about the cost? When it comes to price tags, Trifexis is the winner. However, if you want the triple threat of protection against fleas, ticks and heartworms, it may be worth paying a little more for Simparica Trio.
Finally, each medication has a slightly different list of possible side effects. While both medications may cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and itchiness, Simparica Trio has been associated with neurological adverse effects, including seizures. If your pet has a history of neurological disorders, consult your vet about the associated risks.
Still unsure whether Simparica Trio or Trifexis is the better choice for your canine? Consult your veterinarian for a personalized recommendation, and take a look at the variety of dog flea & tick treatments available.
The most recommended flea treatment will depend on your dog and your specific preferences as a pet parent. For example, some pet parents may choose Trifexis over Simparica Trio for its lower price. However, if ticks are a risk, Simparica Trio could be a better option. Discuss your pet’s needs and your preferences with your veterinarian.
The truth is that every flea medication has unique pros and cons. Some pet parents prefer giving oral flea prevention treatment, while other canines may do better with topicals. You’ll also want to consider the potential side effects of each medication.
Additionally, many flea medications can help prevent other infestations. Both Simparica Trio and Trifexis, for instance, also prevent heartworms, hookworms and roundworms. It may be more efficient to purchase a flea medication that provides additional protection rather than giving your pet multiple medications.
Any flea treatment is better than no treatment.
It’s good to research any medications you are considering giving your dog, and when deciding what the best flea treatment is for your pet, consult your veterinarian.
Both Simparica and Simparica Trio are developed by Zoetis, and they both treat and prevent flea infestations and ward off five different types of ticks. What exactly is the difference?
In a nutshell, it’s easiest to think of Simparica Trio as an expanded or advanced version of Simparica. As well as providing all the flea & tick protection of Simparica, Simparica Trio also protects against heartworms, roundworms and hookworms.
Does this mean Simparica Trio is better than Simparica? Not necessarily. It depends on your dog, situation and budget. Simparica Trio is a good option to give your dog the most comprehensive protection against fleas, ticks and other infestations. However, if you believe your dog is at low risk of heartworms, roundworms and hookworms, you may decide Simparica is sufficient for your pet. You may also prefer to give your pet separate medications to treat heartworms, roundworms and hookworms. Another important factor to consider is price. Simparica Trio is more expensive than Simparica.
As Petco’s Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Miller is the lead veterinary subject matter expert, overseeing the company’s standards of excellence in animal care and welfare, growth in pet services and much more. Dr. Miller leads Petco’s medical team, supporting over 200 full-service hospitals and mobile vaccination clinics operating in over 1,000 Petco Pet Care Centers nationwide
