If you are looking to protect your dogs from fleas and ticks, you’ll soon come across Simparica and Simparica Trio.
Perhaps you’re vet even prescribed one.
But how do they differ? What one is right for your dog?
How can you be sure that you are offering the right level of protection?
Besides both treatments are made by the same pharmaceutical company, Zoetis. Both come in very similar packaging and even share the same base brand name.
Well today, I am here to breakdown the key differences and to ensure you know exactly how to tell the two medications apart.
Quick Verdict
In most instances, Simparica Trio is the superior choice.
It provides much more comprehensive protection against a wider array of parasites, including heartworm, hookworms and roundworms, which Simparica does not.
Simparica Trio is designed as an all-in-one solution, making it a convenient, efficient, and typically cost-effective option
What Is the Difference Between Simparica and Simparica Trio?
The main difference between Simparica and Simparica Trio are their dedicated use cases. Simparica is designed to combat fleas and ticks only, whereas Simparica Trio also works to prevent heartworm, hookworms, roundworms and other intestinal parasites.
Protection Level
The most salient difference between Simparica and Simparica Trio lies in the breadth of protection they each provide.
Simparica is a stalwart defender when it comes to combating fleas and ticks.
Its singular focus on these common external parasites makes it a reliable choice for dog owners primarily concerned about these pesky critters.
If your dog primarily struggles with flea and tick infestations, Simparica can help you keep these problems at bay.
On the other hand, Simparica Trio is the multi-faceted solution to a broader spectrum of parasites.
Along with providing protection against fleas and ticks, Simparica Trio also shields dogs against heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and even some intestinal parasites.
Active Ingredients
Another distinguishing feature between Simparica and Simparica Trio is the active ingredients that they contain.
Simparica uses Sarolaner, a powerful agent known for its effectiveness in eliminating fleas and ticks.
On the other hand, Simparica Trio contains not just Sarolaner, but two other active ingredients: Moxidectin, and Pyrantel (as pamoate salt).
These three compounds together give Simparica Trio its broader defense capability.
Sarolaner handles the fleas and ticks, Moxidectin takes care of heartworms, and Pyrantel is responsible for addressing roundworms and hookworms.
This triple-action formula allows Simparica Trio to combat a more comprehensive range of parasites, hence the Trio in its name.
Price
When considering Simparica vs Simparica Trio, it’s impossible to ignore the price factor.
It’s true, Simparica Trio comes with a more expensive price tag – typically around three times the price of Simparica.
However, this might not be as hefty as it initially seems when you take into account the breadth of protection it provides.
Purchasing separate treatments for heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms can add up to a significant amount.
When you compare this to the cost of Simparica Trio, which offers protection against all of these parasites and more, you might find that Simparica Trio actually offers comparable value, and in some cases, might even be more cost-effective.
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What Dogs Is Simparica Best For?
Dogs with Known Allergies/Sensitivities to Moxidectin
Moxidectin, one of the active ingredients in Simparica Trio, can sometimes cause reactions in dogs that are sensitive to it.
This sensitivity is more common in certain breeds, including Collies, Sheepdogs, and breeds mixed with these two.
If your dog falls into these categories, or if they’ve shown signs of sensitivity or allergy to Moxidectin in the past, Simparica, which only contains Sarolaner, might be the safer choice.
As always, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian regarding treatment options, ingredients and sensitivities.
What Dogs Is Simparica Trio Best For?
Now, let’s consider the types of dogs that would best benefit from Simparica Trio.
Dogs at High Risk for Multiple Parasites
If your dog frequently interacts with other animals like horses, ponies, donkeys, and rabbits, or if they spend a lot of time off-leash exploring varied environments, Simparica Trio could be particularly advantageous.
The diverse environments and exposure to different animal species can increase the risk of your pet encountering a wider array of parasites.
Simparica Trio, with its broad-spectrum protection, is designed to tackle both external and internal parasites, providing comprehensive coverage for your adventurous dog.
Dogs on a Raw Food Diet
Raw food diets can occasionally increase the risk of parasitic infections, including some types of worms, due to the consumption of uncooked meats.
Simparica Trio, with its protection against heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms, provides an essential safeguard.
It helps ensure that your dog, while enjoying the benefits of a raw food diet, stays protected from these common internal parasites.
Owners Seeking Comprehensive Protection
For pet parents who desire the peace of mind that comes from knowing their pet is protected against a wide array of common parasites, Simparica Trio can be worth the investment.
It’s a one-stop-shop, taking care of heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, fleas, and ticks all at once.
Owners Seeking Convenience and Ease
For busy pet parents, Simparica Trio offers a convenient solution.
By providing broad-spectrum protection against several parasites, it eliminates the need to manage multiple medications, making your dog’s healthcare routine simpler and less time-consuming.
You don’t have to worry about aligning different treatment schedules for fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms.
One dose of Simparica Trio per month is all it takes to keep your pet protected against these common pests.
This convenience factor can be a huge relief, particularly for those juggling multiple responsibilities or for households with multiple pets.
Finally
While both Simparica and Simparica Trio are excellent at what they do, your choice between the two should depend on your pet’s specific needs and the potential parasites they might encounter.
It’s always important to consult with your veterinarian to ensure you make the best possible decision for your pet’s health and well-being.
That being said for the most part, Simparica Trio is the medication of choice.
Its designed to be much more comprehensive, providing a much more significant level of cover/protection from a more diverse range of pests.
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.