Needless to say, it makes far more sense to prevent an illness like heartworms than it is to wait for your dog to unnecessarily suffer before you then need to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on treatment.

By ensuring that your canine pal is properly protected, not only are you protecting the health and happiness of your dog, but you are also being proactive in helping to ensure that he lives an active, good quality life too.

Here Are 5 of the Best Heartworm Preventatives for Dogs

Advantage Multi

Most dog owners have already heard of Advantage and Advantage II - two popular flea treatments. Advantage Multi uses an ingredient known as Moxidectin to prevent heartworms. In addition to this, it is capable of controlling other types of worms including whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms, as well as sarcoptic mange and fleas. That's an impressive SIX different parasites that are commonly found on dogs.

Advantage Multi is a topical application that must be administered monthly. Although waterproof, manufacturers recommend that you don't apply the treatment until your dog has been dry for at least 90 minutes after bathing, swimming, or being out in the rain. Failing to meet this recommendation could compromise the effectiveness of the preventative.

HeartGard Plus

Often considered the gold standard of heartworm preventatives, HeartGard Plus uses the proven combination of Pyrantel and Ivermectin to completely destroy any heartworm larvae before they can mature into adults, as well as two different species of roundworms and three different species of hookworms. It has also shown to be effective in dealing with mange and lice.

Heartgard Plus must also be given monthly without fail otherwise your pet could be left vulnerable to heartworm infection. With a real beefy flavor, this chewable tablet can be hidden in your dog's usual food although many canines will happily take the tablet as a treat.

Tri-Heart Plus

If you are concerned about the cost of your pet's heartworm preventative, you will be pleased to know that there is a budget-friendly option. Tri-Heart Plus is typically found to be around 20% cheaper than HeartGard Plus which is the nearest competitor to this product. The ingredients in Tri-Hart Plus are Ivermectin and Pyrantel, which are also the same as those used in HeartGard Plus. These are very effective at preventing heartworm infestations when administered on time. The delicious texture and easy application as a chewable tablet make Tri-Heart Plus a serious contender for cost-effective heartworm medicines for dogs.

Interceptor Plus

The chicken-flavored chewable monthly preventative, Interceptor Plus, is a popular alternative to the better-known Heartgard anti-heartworm medication. The main ingredient is Milbemycin Oxime which is anthelminthic. This means that in addition to acting against heartworms, it can also keep your pet safe from hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.

ProHeart 6

If you are concerned about remembering to give your dog a monthly preventative, you may wish to consider choosing ProHeart 6 to protect your canine pal against heartworms. ProHeart 6 is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment for the prevention of heartworms and is effective for six months at a time. However, it can only be administered by your veterinarian.

Although primarily known for protecting dogs from heartworm, it also acts against sarcoptic mange and other types of parasitic worm, including whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm.

There you have it folks - five of the best heartworm medications for dogs. However, any preventative is only as good as the person administering it. Failing to give your pet the full dose, being late, or skipping a dose is likely to put your furbaby at risk of developing heartworm disease.

If you would like more help and advice on finding the best heartworm medicine for your dog, please contact Your Family Veterinarian in Orlando today by calling our clinic on (407) 568-9663.