Understanding Heartgard Plus & Sentinel Spectrum for Dogs: Which is The Best?

Worms in dogs are an invisible threat that scares all pet parents. And, heartworms, especially are more worrisome, considering they can transmit potentially fatal heartworm disease in dogs. Worm infections can affect your canine companion’s health immensely. To ensure your pet lives a healthy and happy life, it is of utmost importance that you provide them with timely treatment and prevent all worm infections as far as possible.

To protect your canine friends from these annoying parasites, there is a plethora of heartworm preventives and worming treatments available. Among them, Heartgard Plus for dogs and Sentinel Spectrum are the two popular and vet-recommended solutions.

While you are short-listing the ideal product for your canine friend, let us help you with the information about these powerful products. Read on to learn about Heartgard Plus & Sentinel Spectrum, the similarities and differences between them, and a comparative analysis of the two.

Heartgard Plus & Sentinel Spectrum for Dogs at a glance

Heartgard Plus

It is a vet-recommended monthly chewable to prevent heartworm disease in dogs aged 6 weeks of age and older. This #1 dog-preferred real-beef chew prevents heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis), and treats and controls roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense).

Safe to use in pregnant and breeding dogs, Heartgard Plus can be used together with flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines and steroid preparations.

Sentinel Spectrum

It is a once-a-month chew that protects against a spectrum of parasites. This soft beef and bacon-flavored chew is suitable for puppies and dogs aged 6 weeks and older, weighing at least 2 pounds. It prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, treats and controls adult roundworm (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), adult hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum), adult whipworm (Trichuris vulpis), and adult tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus) infections, and prevents and controls flea populations.

When administered once monthly for at least 6 months after dogs’ exposure to mosquitoes, it ensures effective heartworm prevention.

Similarities between Heartgard Plus & Sentinel Spectrum chews

These powerful solutions have the following in common:

• Heartgard Plus & Sentinel Spectrum are both chewable and offer an acceptable flavor for easy dosage.
• Both Heartgard Plus and Sentinel Spectrum should be administered once every month.
• Heartgard Plus & Sentinel Spectrum prevent heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis and treat & control roundworms and hookworms.

Differences between Heartgard Plus Chews & Sentinel Spectrum

Here is how these vet-recommended heartworm preventives are different:

• Active ingredients: Heartgard Plus is made using ivermectin & pyrantel. Whereas, Sentinel Spectrum contains a combination of milbemycin oxime, lufenuron, and praziquantel.
• Suitability: Though both Heartgard Plus and Sentinel Spectrum can be given to dogs and puppies from 6 weeks of age, Sentinel Spectrum can be administered only to dogs and puppies weighing at least 2 pounds.
• Parasites covered: Sentinel Spectrum treats and controls adult whipworm & adult tapeworm infections, and prevents & controls flea populations. Heartgard Plus does not protect against these parasites.

Heartgard Plus vs. Sentinel Spectrum: Comparative analysis

Take a look at a detailed comparative analysis of Heartgard Plus and Sentinel Spectrum:

Common questions Regarding Heartgard Plus & Sentinel Spectrum

Understandably, no information is enough for pet parents when it comes to the well-being of their beloved furry family members. The answers to some common questions regarding these effective products will help you learn more about them:

1. How do I give Heartgard Plus to my dog?

You can offer Heartgard Plus Chew to your dog directly by hand. Administer the chew in a way that encourages them to chew it rather than swallow without chewing. You may break the chew into pieces and feed it to your dog if they have a habit of swallowing treats whole. Alternatively, you can add the whole chew with a small amount of your dog’s food ensuring the dog consumes the complete dose.

2. For how long should I give Sentinel Spectrum to my dog?

Ideally, Sentinel Spectrum should be given once a month, all year round for your dog’s uninterrupted protection against various parasites. For heartworm prevention, it should be given once a month for at least 6 months after your dog’s exposure to mosquitoes.

3. Can heartworm preventives be given to a heartworm-positive dog?

Heartworm preventives such as Heartgard Plus or Sentinel Spectrum are not effective against adult heartworms. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infections before administering these products and infected dogs should be treated to remove adult heartworms.

Provide the best parasite protection to your dog

Heartgard Plus and Sentinel Spectrum are both oral solutions for the protection of dogs from internal parasites. Both are vet-recommended and popular among pet parents. The selection of anyone for your pooch depends on their protection requirements and health condition.

If you are looking for heartworm prevention for your dog, either of the products will work. If your focus is the treatment of worm infections, check the type of worms your dog is infected with and select the product that provides the relevant coverage. But if you want to protect your pet from fleas along with worms and heartworms, go with Sentinel Spectrum.

However, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian before you prepare a parasite protection program for your furry friend to get a tailored solution for them. Visit canadapetcare.com to explore a variety of parasite protection products for your dog at attractive prices and provide them with a healthy and happy life.