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Oral flea and tick chews have become the most popular way to protect dogs. There is no messy spot-on, no collar to lose, and most dogs happily eat them like a treat. But with NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica, Credelio and NexGard Spectra all on the shelf, which gives the best protection for your money?
In this guide we compare five chews sold at BudgetVetCare, an online pet pharmacy, and work out the real cost per month for a typical 35 lb dog. Prices are in US dollars, from budgetvetcare.com at the time of writing, and listed as valid until 4 November 2026.
In this guide
- How Flea and Tick Chews Work
- The Five Chews at a Glance
- Real Cost per Month for a 35 lb Dog
- NexGard: The Monthly Favourite
- Bravecto: One Chew Every 12 Weeks
- Simparica: Fastest Acting
- Credelio: Small Tablet, Long Tick Cover
- NexGard Spectra: All-in-One Protection
- Which Chew Should You Choose?
- Tips to Save More
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Flea and Tick Chews Work
All five chews belong to the same family of medicines, called isoxazolines. Once your dog eats the chew, the active ingredient circulates in the bloodstream, and fleas and ticks are killed when they bite. The main differences are how long each dose lasts, how quickly it works, and whether it also covers worms and heartworm.
The Five Chews at a Glance
| Chew | Active ingredient | Protection per dose | Speed (per BudgetVetCare) | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NexGard | Afoxolaner | 1 month | Starts killing fleas in about 4 hours | 8 weeks |
| Bravecto | Fluralaner | 12 weeks (8 for lone star ticks) | Fleas within 8 hours, attached ticks in 12 hours | 6 months |
| Simparica | Sarolaner | Up to 35 days | Fleas within 3 hours, ticks within 8 hours | 6 months |
| Credelio | Lotilaner | 1 month (ticks up to 37 days) | Adult fleas within 12 hours | 8 weeks |
| NexGard Spectra | Afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime | 1 month, plus worms and heartworm | Monthly all-in-one | 8 weeks |
Real Cost per Month for a 35 lb Dog
Pack prices can be misleading, because a Bravecto chew lasts three times longer than a NexGard chew. So we took the biggest pack of each chew for a 35 lb dog and divided it by the months of protection it gives:
| Chew and size | Best value pack | Price | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| NexGard 24 to 60 lbs | 12 chews | $165.51 | about $13.80 |
| Simparica 22.1 to 44 lbs | 6 doses | $84.17 | about $14.00 |
| Credelio 25 to 50 lbs | 12 doses | $185.11 | about $15.40 |
| Bravecto 22 to 44 lbs | 2 chews (24 weeks) | $88.09 | about $16.00 |
| NexGard Spectra 33 to 66 lbs | 6 chews | $100.83 | about $16.80 |
The gap is smaller than you might think: all five cost between roughly $14 and $17 a month when you buy the larger packs. Compare prices for your dog’s weight.
NexGard: The Monthly Favourite
NexGard is a soft, beef-flavoured monthly chew that BudgetVetCare says starts killing fleas within about 4 hours. It kills fleas before they lay eggs and kills black-legged ticks, which helps prevent Lyme infections. For a 24 to 60 lb dog, a 3-pack costs $46.93 and a 12-pack $165.51, the lowest monthly cost in our comparison. It has 528 reviews on the site, with an average of 4.7 out of 5.
Bravecto: One Chew Every 12 Weeks
If you forget monthly doses, Bravecto is the easiest choice: one chew gives 12 weeks of flea and tick protection, or 8 weeks against lone star ticks. For a 22 to 44 lb dog, one chew is $45.95 and two cost $88.09. It is for dogs from 6 months old, and with 834 reviews averaging 4.8, it is one of the best-rated products on the site.
Simparica: Fastest Acting
Simparica kills fleas within 3 hours and ticks within 8 hours, according to BudgetVetCare, and each dose lasts up to 35 days, which gives a little flexibility if you dose late. It covers six types of ticks, including Gulf Coast and Asian longhorned ticks. For a 22.1 to 44 lb dog, 3 doses are $43.01 and 6 doses $84.17.
Credelio: Small Tablet, Long Tick Cover
Credelio is a beef-flavoured chew that kills adult fleas within 12 hours and kills ticks for up to 37 days. It is suitable from 8 weeks of age and 4.4 lbs. For a 25 to 50 lb dog, 3 doses cost $48.89, 6 doses $93.97 and 12 doses $185.11. BudgetVetCare advises asking your vet first, especially if your dog has a history of seizures.
NexGard Spectra: All-in-One Protection
NexGard Spectra costs a little more because it does more. As well as fleas and ticks, it helps prevent heartworm disease and treats hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and lungworm. If you would otherwise buy a separate heartwormer, it can work out cheaper overall. For a 33 to 66 lb dog, a 3-pack is $58.69 and a 6-pack $100.83. See NexGard Spectra.
Which Chew Should You Choose?
- Lowest monthly cost: NexGard in a 12-pack.
- Fewest doses: Bravecto, one chew every 12 weeks.
- Fastest action: Simparica.
- Young puppies from 8 weeks: NexGard, Credelio or NexGard Spectra.
- Fleas, ticks, worms and heartworm in one chew: NexGard Spectra.
Tips to Save More
- Buy bigger packs: the 12-pack of NexGard costs about $13.79 per chew, compared with $15.64 in the 3-pack.
- Shipping was free on all orders at the time of writing.
- Auto-Delivery orders save an extra 5%.
- Check the site banner for current coupon codes before you check out.
Always weigh your dog before you order, choose the correct weight band, and talk to your vet before you start or change any parasite treatment.
Conclusion
All five chews give strong flea and tick protection for roughly $14 to $17 a month. Choose NexGard for value, Bravecto for convenience, Simparica for speed, Credelio for long tick cover, or NexGard Spectra for all-in-one protection. Find your dog’s flea and tick chew at BudgetVetCare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which flea chew lasts longest?
Bravecto, with 12 weeks of flea and tick protection from one chew.
Can I give flea chews to puppies?
NexGard, Credelio and NexGard Spectra are listed from 8 weeks; Bravecto and Simparica from 6 months.
Does BudgetVetCare charge for shipping?
Shipping was free on all orders at the time of writing.
