Best Heartworm Medicine For Dogs – Top Picks & Comparisons!
When taking care of a pet, there are many things to consider like their food and their treats. But you also must remember to consider their heart health because heartworm disease can be a big problem for dogs if you do not take the necessary precautions to protect them.
Thankfully, we have reviewed the best heartworm medicine for dogs on the market that will provide complete heartworm prevention. There are many different options and many different prices. However, it can be difficult to know which product is best for your dog with heartworm.
As a pet owner, you will want to consider which active ingredients the medicine uses. You will also want to think about what type of medicine, be it a heartworm pill or something else, is easiest for you and your pet. After all, if they do not get the medicine, it will not be able to do it’s work even if it is the best heartworm medication for dogs on the market.
I have researched and gathered information on a few of the best heartworm medicines for dogs into the list below. I am hoping my research of heartworm medication will help you understand some of the differences, as well as to get a better idea of which of the products will be best for you, and most importantly your pet.
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Quick Comparison:
Top 5 Best Heartworm Medicine For Dogs
Here are five of the best medicine products for dogs with heartworm disease available to you. Take a look at these reviews to see which of the best heartworm preventative medicine for dogs will work best for your pet.
Product Name | Price | Rating | Administration Type/Schedule | Treats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$$$ | Topical; monthly | heartworm, roundworm, hookworms, whipworms and fleas | ||
$$ | Oral; monthly | heartworm, roundworm, hookworms | ||
$$ | Oral; monthly | heartworm, roundworm, hookworms | ||
$ | Oral; monthly | heartworm, roundworm, hookworms |
**Disclaimer: Our reviews are based mostly on (1) our expertise and that of the experts with whom we consult and (2) the information provided by the manufacturers. We do test many dog foods (with our dog's help), but we can't test them all. As such, please remember the above recommendations are our opinions, and you should consult your vet before making changes to your dog's diet.
HeartGard Plus has long been one of the most popular preventative oral medications for dogs and cats against heartworm.
It is taken as an oral medicine monthly and comes in a beef flavored chewable tablet, so many dogs love to take it. I have seen some dogs lap it up quickly, while other pets take their time to come around but, ultimately, enjoy eating it.
The main ingredients in HeartGard Plus are Ivermectin and Pyrantel pamoate. This heartworm medicication is marketed to treat not only heartworms but also roundworms, and hookworms, which can also be a problem.
It is safe to use on all breeds. It does contain ivermectin which can be dangerous in very high dosages to some breeds, but the amount in HeartGard Plus is safe for all breeds and will contribute to optimal pet health.
Second on this list is a very similar medicine to the first, HeartGard Plus! Tri-heart is actually considered to be the generic version of HeartGard Plus.
So, if you want the best protection but cannot pay as much, this is a great option of a heartworm treatment for your pet.
Like HeartGard Plus, the main ingredients in this oral chewable tablet are Ivermectin and Pyrantel pamoate, so it treats heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
There have not been any significant differences in the effective rates of these medicines, so choosing between this and HeartGard Plus is entirely dependent on whether or not you are comfortable with a generic named product. As for me, I still think it is a best heartworm preventation for dogs.
When considering the best heartworm pills for dogs, the name Interceptor often comes up as well. It is not as popular as brands like HeartGard, but it is still a great medicine.
This is also an oral medicine and is a very small heartworm pill. Some pets like this better than HeartGard Plus, and you can give it to them as a palatable treat.
The main active ingredient in this medicine is Milbemycin oxime; the medicine treats heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. This small pill treats and prevents many things to ensure your dog has optimal pet health.
Another of the best heartworm treatment for dogs is this medicine, Advantage Multi. This is a topical medicine which is why it is lower on the list than the oral medicines.
These can be much more difficult to apply, but also can be better for your pet if it does not like the taste of oral heartworm medicines.
Here is a useful video where veterinarian, Dr. Jones, explains how to apply topical medicines like this one:
The main ingredients in this medicine are Moxidectin and Imidacloprid, and this medicine has the added benefit of acting like flea birth control which will keep you from having a total flea infestation, should your dog get a flea. It also treats heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
Final Thoughts
That was just a short list of some of the most popular and most effective heartworm medicines out there for your pet. Preventative action in terms of worms is huge with dogs, so make sure to choose one and stick to a regular routine.
As a pet owner, I like to put a note in my calendar of when I gave my dog their medicine and to mark when their next dosage should be administered. This way, there are no lapses in their medicine schedule. It is important to take the necessary steps to make sure you provide total heartworm prevention for your dog.
If you are having trouble getting your pet to eat oral medicine, try tricking them into it with a good bribe like cheese or wet food. If your pet is not too picky, they will gobble up the bribe without even noticing the medicine stuck inside! If this still does not work, you make want to consider a topical medicine to make sure your pet is being protected.
Remember that when you are choosing the best heartworm medication for dogs, you’re choosing to protect your pet for months and years to come. Consider cost and ease of application, of course, but also consider what will give them the best protection.
It is sometimes possible to deworm your pet after they are infected, but it is better to avoid the necessity of this option altogether when possible.
Protect your pet like you protect yourself. Use a preventative heartworm medicine to ensure that your pet will be safe throughout all their days to come!
