Cat being fed flea and tick control medication by owner

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If you own a cat or a dog, ensuring effective flea and tick control is essential. While tick issues may vary based on your geographical location, fleas pose a problem for pets everywhere. The good news is that numerous options are available to safeguard your pets, and even better, many of the top-notch flea treatments also offer protection against ticks

This blog post will focus on two popular brands, Credelio and NexGard, both of which are suitable for both cats and dogs. By exploring the features of these products, you can make an informed decision about the best choice for your beloved pet.

What Is Credelio? 

Credelio is a simple and effective flea treatment for both dogs and cats. When used on a monthly basis, Credelio can prevent flea infestations and provide protection against ticks, including lone star ticks, American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, and brown dog ticks.

What makes Credelio special is that it’s designed as a chewable tablet that pets see as a treat. Credelio tends to come in two flavors: beef for dogs and vanilla and yeast for cats, ensuring easy acceptance by your furry companions.

Credelio is formulated for dogs of all breeds, making it suitable for use in most dogs unless specifically advised otherwise by your vet. Similarly, the cat version of Credelio is also designed for broad usage in cats. However, it's important to note that the two versions of Credelio are specifically tailored for each pet species. Therefore, it's essential to avoid giving the cat version to dogs and vice versa.

Although the active ingredient, lotilaner, is the same in both versions, it's crucial to be aware that the filler ingredients differ, which can potentially cause issues for pets. It's important to highlight that the dosages for cats and dogs are not the same, and using dog dosages for cats can be dangerous. Likewise, individual dosages for each pet may vary depending on their weight.

Whether you are looking into Credelio for dogs or Credelio for cats, always talk to your vet before committing to a new treatment. This is the best way to ensure that you are making a good choice for your pet and that you’re minimizing any side-effects or complications — especially if your pet has any pre-existing conditions.

What Is NexGard?

NexGard is also a well-known and popular choice for flea and tick treatments in both cats and dogs. For dogs, Nexgard comes in the form of NexGard chewables, while for cats, it is only available as a topical. 

NexGard chewables for dogs are designed for monthly administration and come in a beef-flavored formulation. These chewables contain the active ingredient afoxolaner, which effectively protects dogs from flea infestations and controls ticks, including black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, and brown dog ticks.

NexGard Combo, on the other hand, offers broad spectrum parasite protection for cats. Applied to the back of the neck on a monthly basis, this treatment effectively eliminates tapeworms, black-legged ticks, lone star ticks, and adult fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs. Additionally, it offers prevention against heartworm disease and effectively treats and controls hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms in cats.

NexGard is safe for use in dogs aged 8 weeks and older, weighing 4 lbs or more, and in cats aged 8 weeks and older, weighing 1.8 pounds or more. However, as with any treatment, it is advisable to consult your vet before using NexGard. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your pet's health and circumstances.

Graphic comparing Credelio vs. NexGard

Comparing Credelio Vs. NexGard

Deciding between NexGard vs. Credelio can be challenging since both are well-known and effective flea and tick treatments. To help you make an informed choice, let's compare their active ingredients, formats, and coverage against specific parasites.

    • Active ingredients: The active ingredient in Credelio is lotilaner, which belongs to the isoxazoline class of drugs. Lotilaner effectively kills fleas and ticks by targeting their nervous system, leading to their elimination. The active ingredient in NexGard is afoxolaner, also from the isoxazoline class. Afoxolaner works similarly to lotilaner, providing effective flea and tick control for pets. 
    • Formats: Credelio vs. NexGard for dogs are both available in chewable tablets. However, while Credelio also comes in a chewable format for cats, NexGard is only available as a topical treatment.
    • Parasite coverage: Both Credelio and NexGard offer protection against fleas and ticks for both dogs and cats. In addition, NexGard Combo for cats provides protection against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms, making it a comprehensive parasite control option for felines.

When comparing NexGard vs. Credelio, they show many similarities in the aspects mentioned above. So, how can you make the right choice? It's essential to consider your vet's recommendation and take into account any allergies or sensitivities your pet may have. By discussing these factors with your vet, you can confidently select the most suitable option for your furry friend.

1 in 4 cats and 1 in 7 dogs are carrying fleas

Flea & Tick Treatment

Flea and tick treatment is essential for the well-being of both dogs and cats. According to The University of Bristol, 1 in 4 cats and 1 in 7 dogs carry fleas and approximately 11% of these pests are infected with potentially pathogenic bacteria.These pests can cause significant distress to your pets and serve as vectors for various diseases, ranging in severity. 

When facing a flea or tick infestation, swift action is necessary, especially if you have multiple pets. Fleas and ticks can easily jump from one pet to another, even moving between dogs and cats. However, using treatments like Credelio and NexGard, which are suitable for both cats and dogs, simplifies the process and ensures that all your pets receive timely protection and treatment. 

It's important to note that both Credelio and NexGard, along with many other similar medications, are primarily preventative in nature. While they can treat an existing infestation, their monthly doses work to prevent future infestations, making pet care more manageable and effective. 

Some cat owners may assume that indoor cats don't need preventative care. However, this is rarely the case, especially if you live in an area with significant tick presence. Ticks can even jump from humans to pets, so even if your cat stays indoors, you could potentially bring ticks inside unknowingly. 

To ensure the best care for your furry friends, involving your vet is crucial. They can help you assess the risk in your area and recommend preventative actions tailored to your pet's needs and your lifestyle. By doing so, you can protect your pets, avoid the worst consequences of flea or tick problems, and promote the overall health and happiness of everyone in your household.

FAQs

What products are similar to Credelio?

There are a lot of different flea and tick medications available for dogs and cats. The best way to choose is to talk to your vet. They can make personalized recommendations that take into account your pet’s age, existing health conditions, and more.

Popular flea and tick treatments for dogs, similar to Credelio, include Bravecto, Simparica Trio, and NexGard.

  • Bravecto: Bravecto is an oral chew that provides extended protection against fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks. The active ingredient is fluralaner.
  • Simparica Trio: Simparica Trio is an oral chew that offers fast and lasting protection against fleas and ticks, heartworm disease, roundworms and hookworms. The active ingredient for this medication  is sarolaner.
  • NexGard: NexGard is a chewable tablet that kills fleas and ticks, including black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, Lone Star ticks, and brown dog ticks. 

Popular flea and tick treatments for cats similar to Credelio, include Revolution Plus, Frontline Plus, and Cheristin.

  • Revolution Plus: Revolution Plus is a topical treatment that offers broad-spectrum protection against fleas, ticks, ear mites, and other parasites.
  • Frontline Plus: Frontline Plus is a topical treatment that offers protection against fleas, ticks, and chewing lice for up to 30 days.
  • Cheristin: Cheristin is a topical treatment specifically formulated for cats, providing fast-acting flea control for up to 6 weeks.

What is the number one vet recommended flea treatment?

There is no universal answer. For the most accurate and up-to-date recommendation, the best option is to directly speak with your vet. They can provide personalized advice based on your pet's specific needs and health considerations.

Dog sniffing flea and tick control medication on owner’s hand

Final Notes

When comparing Credelio vs. NexGard for dogs and cats, there is no clear winner. The choice depends on your pet's specific needs and how each treatment may interact with their other medications, existing conditions, and more.

By involving your vet in the decision-making process, you can make an informed choice and provide your pets with the protection they deserve. Your vet can offer personalized recommendations based on your pet's health and lifestyle, ensuring the right option for their well-being.

Get the convenience of having Credelio and NexGard delivered directly to your doorstep with Dutch's online pharmacy. If you have further inquiries about finding the best flea and tick protection for your furry friend, reach out to a Dutch vet. With Dutch, you can enjoy 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians, unlimited video calls and messaging, customized prescription treatment plans, and more. Try Dutch today.
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References

  1. “1 in 4 Cats and 1 in 7 Dogs Carrying Fleas with High Levels of Bacteria, Finds Big Flea Project.” 2019: 1 in 4 Cats and 1 in 7 Dogs Carrying Fleas | School of Biological Sciences | University of Bristol, 10 May 2019, www.bristol.ac.uk/biology/news/2019/1-in-4-cats-and-1-in-7-dogs-carrying-fleas.html

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dutch?

Dutch is an online veterinary pet telehealth service, created by pet parents and board-certified veterinary specialists. We use a science-backed approach to provide pets relief for their everyday physical and behavioral health issues. Dutch connects you with licensed veterinarians over video chat and messaging to help you get care for your dog or cat quickly wherever you are — without the stress or expense of a vet visit. We also partner with pharmacies who can deliver prescription medication (in applicable states only) and over-the-counter treatments directly to your door. Dutch isn’t a veterinary practice or pharmacy, but a company that helps facilitate these services for pet parents to make veterinary care more accessible to all.

What is a visit with Dutch like?

When booking a video call with a vet, you'll be asked a few questions about your pet’s health issue. Depending on the issue, you may also be asked to fill out a longer questionnaire about their symptoms and share photographs of them so our veterinarians can better understand what’s going on. You’ll then pick an appointment time that works best for you.

During your video call, one of our licensed veterinarians will talk to you about the symptoms your pet is experiencing, ask you questions, review your pet’s medical history if you’ve provided it, and answer any questions you have. The vet will ask to see your pet and their environment. And they may ask you to perform some simple checks on them if needed.

After your video call, the vet will send you a message with a custom treatment plan to help your pet feel better, including a link to buy any recommended prescription or over-the-counter medications. Place your order and we’ll ship it free.

How much will it cost for Dutch to treat my pet?

The Dutch membership starts at $11/mo for unlimited access to the vet. No more long waits for appointments or surprise bills.

In addition to the base membership plan, our veterinarians may also recommend additional medication (Rx and/or OTC) that you will have the option of adding to your plan at an additional cost.