Trifexis vs. Simparica Trio: A Detailed Cost Comparison
Choosing the right medication for your dog can feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to balancing health benefits and costs. Two popular choices, Trifexis and Simparica Trio, provide comprehensive protection for your dog, but they differ in what they offer, how much they cost, and the specific coverage they provide.
Key Takeaways
What does each product cover?
- Trifexis: Heartworm, fleas, and intestinal parasites
- Simparica Trio: Heartworm, fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites
Which is more cost-effective?
Trifexis is generally cheaper per dose, but Simparica Trio offers broader protection.
How do their side effects differ?
Trifexis may cause digestive issues, while Simparica Trio has reported neurological effects.
Which is easier to administer?
Both come in chewable tablet forms and require monthly doses.
Now, let’s break down the details to give you critical insights and help you make an informed decision!
🐾 What Do Trifexis and Simparica Trio Protect Against?
When evaluating these two medications, understanding their coverage is essential. Trifexis protects against heartworms, fleas, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms but does not cover ticks. Simparica Trio, on the other hand, provides broader protection, covering heartworms, fleas, ticks, hookworms, and roundworms.
| Feature | Trifexis 💊 | Simparica Trio 💉 |
|---|---|---|
| Heartworm Prevention | ✅ | ✅ |
| Flea Control | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tick Protection | ❌ | ✅ |
| Intestinal Parasite Coverage | ✅ (round, hook, whipworms) | ✅ (round, hookworms) |
| Broad Spectrum Protection | Fleas & Worms | Fleas, Worms & Ticks |
Conclusion: If your dog is at high risk for tick exposure, Simparica Trio may be the more comprehensive option, while Trifexis is ideal for non-tick-prone environments.
💰 Which One Is More Cost-Effective?
Here’s the big question for many pet owners—what will it cost to keep your dog protected?
While Trifexis tends to be slightly cheaper per dose compared to Simparica Trio, it may require additional treatments for ticks. On the other hand, Simparica Trio’s higher price includes full protection against ticks, which can save you from purchasing an extra product for tick prevention.
| Medication | Cost Per Dose 💲 | Additional Tick Prevention Needed? ❓ |
|---|---|---|
| Trifexis | $20-$24 | Yes ($10-$12 extra per dose) |
| Simparica Trio | $23-$28 | No |
Conclusion: Trifexis is the more affordable option at face value, but Simparica Trio offers full-spectrum protection, making it a better all-in-one solution if your dog needs tick prevention.
😰 What Are the Side Effects?
Like any medication, side effects are a concern for pet parents. Trifexis and Simparica Trio both have reported side effects, but they tend to differ:
- Trifexis: Most common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Some dogs may experience itching or behavioral changes.
- Simparica Trio: This medication is generally well-tolerated, but some dogs have reported neurological symptoms such as tremors or seizures, particularly in dogs with a history of seizures.
| Side Effect | Trifexis 🚨 | Simparica Trio 🚨 |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting & Diarrhea | Common | Rare |
| Neurological Issues | Rare | Reported in some dogs |
Conclusion: Trifexis may cause digestive upset more frequently, while Simparica Trio poses a small risk of neurological side effects, especially in susceptible dogs.
📅 Which is Easier to Administer?
Both Trifexis and Simparica Trio come in a monthly chewable tablet form, making them relatively easy to administer. However, some owners report that their dogs find one or the other more palatable, so it might take some trial and error.
| Factor | Trifexis 🐶 | Simparica Trio 🐶 |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Chewable Tablet | Chewable Tablet |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Palatability | Varies by dog | Varies by dog |
Conclusion: Both are easy to administer, though individual dogs might prefer the taste of one over the other.
🤔 Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the decision between Trifexis and Simparica Trio depends on your dog’s specific needs and your budget. Trifexis is a great option if you’re looking to save on initial costs and don’t require tick protection. Simparica Trio is a more comprehensive (albeit pricier) solution, covering ticks, which can save you from purchasing an additional medication.
Trifexis vs. Simparica Trio
| Feature | Trifexis 💊 | Simparica Trio 💉 |
|---|---|---|
| Protection Coverage | Heartworms, fleas, intestinal worms (no ticks) | Heartworms, fleas, ticks, intestinal worms |
| Cost | $20-$24 per dose + $10-$12 for tick prevention | $23-$28 per dose (all-in-one) |
| Side Effects | Mostly digestive issues | Neurological issues possible |
| Administration | Chewable, monthly | Chewable, monthly |
🗝️ Key Takeaways (Short Answers)
- Best for Comprehensive Protection: Simparica Trio 💉
- Most Cost-Effective Without Tick Exposure: Trifexis 💊
- Lowest Reported Side Effects: Simparica Trio (neurological risk for susceptible dogs) 💉
- Best All-in-One Solution: Simparica Trio 💉
In conclusion, both Trifexis and Simparica Trio offer effective protection, but the right choice depends on the balance of cost, coverage, and your dog’s specific health risks. Stay informed, weigh your options carefully, and choose what fits your pet’s lifestyle and your peace of mind. 🐕
Q1: Can I alternate between Trifexis and Simparica Trio for my dog depending on the season?
Absolutely, alternating between Trifexis and Simparica Trio can be a smart strategy, especially if your dog is exposed to ticks only during certain seasons. For example, in colder months when ticks are less active, using Trifexis (which doesn’t cover ticks but is less expensive) can help maintain protection against heartworms, fleas, and intestinal worms without the added cost of tick prevention. Once tick season rolls around, you can switch to Simparica Trio, which offers the added tick coverage.
Important to Note: If you do plan to switch medications, make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure a smooth transition. Some active ingredients may require a washout period to avoid overmedication or side effects. Additionally, tick infestations can begin sooner than expected in spring or extend into fall, so be mindful of timing.
Q2: Can I use Trifexis alongside a separate tick treatment?
Yes, you can pair Trifexis with a separate tick treatment if your dog needs protection from ticks. Trifexis provides broad-spectrum protection against fleas, heartworms, and intestinal parasites, but because it lacks tick coverage, you might need to supplement it with a tick-specific medication.
You could use an oral tick preventive (like Simparica or Nexgard), or opt for a topical solution or tick collar (such as Seresto). Many owners find this approach more affordable, especially in areas with moderate tick exposure. However, always check with your vet about combining treatments to avoid interactions or overdose, particularly if using more than one systemic medication.
Important Consideration: If you’re using a topical tick treatment, ensure there is no overlap with flea protection to avoid doubling up on that coverage, as both Trifexis and topical solutions like Advantix prevent fleas. Overlapping ingredients could cause side effects like excessive drooling or skin irritation.
Q3: Why doesn’t Trifexis cover ticks if it’s a broad-spectrum medication?
Trifexis has been formulated specifically to target heartworms, fleas, and certain intestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms), but it doesn’t include the active ingredients necessary to kill or repel ticks. Ticks require a different mode of action, typically involving isoxazolines like sarolaner, found in Simparica Trio. Trifexis relies on spinosad for flea prevention and milbemycin oxime for heartworm and intestinal parasites, neither of which is effective against ticks.
The decision not to include tick prevention in Trifexis may have been based on market demand and the desire to offer a lower-cost option for pet owners who don’t need tick coverage. However, for dogs that frequent tick-heavy environments, this gap can be significant, leading many owners to choose Simparica Trio or add a supplemental tick preventive to their Trifexis routine.
Q4: Is Simparica Trio safe for dogs with a history of seizures?
This is a critically important question, as some studies and anecdotal reports have raised concerns about the isoxazoline class of drugs (which includes sarolaner, the tick-fighting ingredient in Simparica Trio). While these medications are effective, they have been associated with rare cases of neurological side effects, particularly in dogs with a history of seizures.
If your dog has previously experienced seizures, it’s essential to discuss this with your vet before starting Simparica Trio. Some veterinarians may recommend alternative treatments that don’t carry the same risk, such as non-isoxazoline tick preventives. However, for many dogs, the benefits of Simparica Trio outweigh the risks, and your vet might still consider it a viable option with close monitoring.
Important Reminder: While the incidence of neurological reactions is low, always observe your dog closely after administering any new medication, particularly within the first 24-48 hours.
Q5: How quickly do Trifexis and Simparica Trio start working after administration?
Both Trifexis and Simparica Trio are designed to begin working quickly after administration, offering almost immediate relief from parasites.
- Trifexis: The spinosad in Trifexis, which kills fleas, starts working within 30 minutes of ingestion, and fleas should begin dying within 4 hours. The milbemycin oxime targets heartworms and intestinal worms but acts more preventively, taking time to disrupt the lifecycle of these parasites.
- Simparica Trio: The sarolaner in Simparica Trio kills fleas and ticks fast, with fleas starting to die within 3 hours and ticks within 8 hours. Its heartworm prevention (due to moxidectin) works similarly to Trifexis by eliminating heartworm larvae before they can mature.
Important Insight: If your dog has an active flea infestation, Simparica Trio may provide quicker overall relief from both fleas and ticks. However, if you’re primarily focused on intestinal parasites, Trifexis performs similarly to its competitor in that department.
Q6: Can I give my dog these medications with food, or should it be on an empty stomach?
For both Trifexis and Simparica Trio, it’s recommended to give them with food. Administering the medication alongside a meal enhances absorption and helps reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset, particularly with Trifexis, which has a higher likelihood of causing vomiting or diarrhea if given on an empty stomach. A high-fat meal can further improve absorption and overall efficacy.
- Trifexis: Because of its spinosad content, giving the chew with food significantly enhances flea-killing action.
- Simparica Trio: While it is well-tolerated with or without food, feeding it with a meal may ensure maximum absorption and reduce the chances of stomach upset.
Pro Tip: If your dog is a picky eater, consider using a food topper or disguising the medication in a treat to make administration smoother!
Q7: Are there any breeds that should avoid using Simparica Trio or Trifexis?
There is no specific breed restriction for Simparica Trio or Trifexis, but certain breeds can be more susceptible to adverse reactions from particular drug classes, especially when it comes to medications affecting the nervous system or containing macrocyclic lactones (such as milbemycin oxime in Trifexis).
Breeds like Collies, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, and other herding breeds are known to carry a gene mutation called MDR1 (multidrug resistance gene). Dogs with this mutation can have heightened sensitivity to medications like milbemycin, which is found in Trifexis. This could result in neurological side effects like tremors, disorientation, or even seizures. For these breeds, Simparica Trio may be a safer choice since it doesn’t include this ingredient, though there’s still a low risk of neurological side effects from the sarolaner component.
Key Tip: If you own one of these breeds, a genetic MDR1 test is recommended before using medications containing milbemycin oxime to avoid any potential adverse reactions.
Q8: Can Trifexis or Simparica Trio be used for puppies, or should I wait until they’re older?
Both Trifexis and Simparica Trio are approved for use in puppies, but age and weight restrictions apply, as younger dogs metabolize medications differently from adult dogs.
- Trifexis is safe for puppies 8 weeks of age or older and weighing at least 5 pounds. However, since puppies’ digestive systems are still developing, Trifexis may increase the likelihood of vomiting or stomach upset, so it’s crucial to administer with food.
- Simparica Trio can be used in puppies as young as 8 weeks old, provided they weigh 2.8 pounds or more. Its broader range of coverage, including ticks, makes it an excellent all-in-one solution for active puppies who may be exposed to multiple parasites early on.
For very young puppies, your veterinarian may suggest starting with a simpler heartworm or flea preventive until they are big enough to handle the multi-parasite protection offered by these medications. Additionally, always monitor puppies closely for any adverse reactions since their smaller body size and developing immune systems make them more vulnerable to side effects.
Important Insight: Puppies grow rapidly, so remember to adjust the medication dosage as your dog gains weight to ensure it remains effective without being underdosed.
Q9: What should I do if my dog vomits shortly after taking Trifexis or Simparica Trio?
Vomiting after taking Trifexis is a somewhat common side effect, whereas it’s less frequently reported with Simparica Trio. If your dog vomits within the first 1-2 hours after taking either medication, it’s possible that they didn’t absorb the full dose, and the effectiveness may be compromised. In this case, contact your vet for advice, as they might recommend redosing.
For dogs with a sensitive stomach or prone to vomiting, giving the medication with a larger meal or even splitting the meal before and after administering the pill can help reduce the chance of gastrointestinal distress. You could also try administering it with a high-fat treat, which aids in absorption and makes the tablet more palatable.
Pro Tip: To help avoid vomiting, try administering the medication at a time when your dog is calm and settled, as giving it right before high-energy activities or on an empty stomach can increase the likelihood of an upset stomach.
Q10: What’s the risk if I miss a dose of Trifexis or Simparica Trio by a few days?
If you miss a dose by a few days, it’s essential to give the missed dose as soon as you remember. Both Trifexis and Simparica Trio are most effective when administered consistently on a monthly basis, and a lapse in dosing can leave your dog vulnerable to heartworm infection, flea infestations, or tick bites during the gap.
For heartworm prevention, in particular, a delay of more than 30 days could allow larvae to mature and make treatment more complicated. If the missed dose was for flea or tick prevention, re-administering promptly should still provide effective protection, but you may notice some fleas or ticks before the next dose fully kicks in.
Important Tip: If the dose was missed by more than two weeks, consult your veterinarian, especially regarding heartworm prevention. They might recommend a heartworm test to rule out any early infections and advise whether to adjust your treatment schedule.
Q11: How long do Trifexis and Simparica Trio stay in a dog’s system?
The active ingredients in both medications stay in your dog’s system long enough to provide a full 30 days of protection, though the specific timelines for each ingredient vary slightly.
- Trifexis contains spinosad, which starts killing fleas within 30 minutes and continues to kill any adult fleas for up to 30 days. The milbemycin oxime part, which targets heartworms and intestinal parasites, stays effective over the course of the month as well, working to disrupt parasitic lifecycles.
- Simparica Trio‘s key ingredient sarolaner works fast, beginning to kill fleas within 3 hours and ticks within 8 hours. It stays active in your dog’s system for the full month, providing continuous protection against fleas and ticks. The moxidectin and pyrantel components, which prevent heartworms and intestinal worms, also provide coverage over the 30-day period.
Interesting Fact: While the medications stay in the body for around 30 days, they are metabolized and eliminated gradually through the liver and kidneys, meaning their concentration decreases as the month progresses. This is why it’s important to administer doses consistently every 30 days to maintain effective protection.
Q12: Is Simparica Trio or Trifexis better for multi-pet households?
For multi-pet households, Simparica Trio might be the better option if you have concerns about ticks. If you live in an area where ticks are prevalent and you have multiple dogs that play together or go on frequent outdoor adventures, Simparica Trio offers a more comprehensive solution to ensure that all of your pets are protected without needing separate medications for fleas and ticks.
On the other hand, if your dogs primarily need protection from fleas, heartworms, and intestinal parasites, and ticks aren’t a major concern in your area, Trifexis is a cost-effective option, particularly for large households where multiple monthly doses add up. In such cases, you can administer Trifexis and use a tick-specific topical treatment if necessary, saving on the overall cost of full-spectrum protection.
Expert Tip: For multi-pet households, always administer medications on the same day each month. This helps prevent confusion and ensures all pets stay protected in unison, especially in environments with high parasite exposure.