Simparica Trio

Description

One Chew. Six Types of Ticks. Fleas. Heartworm. Worms. Done.

Keeping a dog protected from parasites used to mean juggling multiple products — a flea treatment here, a heartworm preventive there, something else for ticks, maybe a dewormer on top of it all. Different application schedules, different instructions, different products your dog may or may not cooperate with.

Simparica Trio changes that entire routine into a single monthly chew.

This is the #1 vet-prescribed combination parasiticide for dogs in Canada — and the reason vets recommend it so consistently comes down to what it covers. One flavoured tablet, given once a month, handles fleas, six tick species, heartworm disease, roundworms, hookworms, and now — following a new 2025 FDA approval — even flea tapeworm prevention. No other single product for dogs covers that full range.

It's made by Zoetis, one of the world's largest animal health companies, and it's available in six weight-based tablet sizes to match dogs from the smallest puppies at 1.3 kg all the way up to large breeds at 60 kg. This listing covers the 10.1 to 20 kg size — appropriate for medium-sized breeds — in a 6-tablet pack providing six full months of protection.

What Simparica Trio Protects Against — The Full List

Here's exactly what your dog gets protection from with each monthly dose:

External Parasites:

• Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) — kills adult fleas before they can lay eggs, treats and prevents flea infestations, and improves signs of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) in dogs with flea sensitivities
• Flea Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) — prevents tapeworm infection by killing the flea vectors that carry and transmit them (new 2025 indication — Simparica Trio is the only canine parasiticide approved for this)
• Six species of ticks:
  • Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
  • Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
  • American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
  • Black-Legged Tick / Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis) — carrier of Lyme disease
  • Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
  • Asian Longhorned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)

Lyme Disease Risk Reduction: By killing black-legged (Ixodes scapularis) ticks, Simparica Trio also reduces the risk of Lyme disease transmission and Borrelia burgdorferi infection.

Internal Parasites:

• Heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) — 100% effective prevention in clinical studies
• Roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) — treatment and control
• Hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala) — treatment and control

Additional Indications:

• Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) — a single monthly dose treats sarcoptic mange
• Demodicosis (Demodex canis) — treatment of generalized demodicosis

How Simparica Trio Works — Three Ingredients, Three Mechanisms

What makes Simparica Trio so effective is that each of its three active ingredients works through a completely different biological mechanism — meaning it attacks parasites from multiple angles simultaneously.

Sarolaner — Against Fleas & Ticks Sarolaner belongs to a class of parasiticides called isoxazolines. After your dog chews and swallows the tablet, sarolaner is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout body tissues. When fleas or ticks bite your dog and feed on blood, they ingest sarolaner. It then targets and blocks specific chloride ion channels in the parasite's nervous system — causing uncontrolled neuromuscular activity, paralysis, and death. Fleas start dying within hours of the first dose.

Moxidectin — Against Heartworm Moxidectin is a macrocyclic lactone that works against the larval stages of Dirofilaria immitis — the heartworm parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected dog and then bites yours, it can deposit heartworm larvae (L3) into your dog's skin. Moxidectin prevents those larvae from developing into the juvenile (L4) stage that eventually migrates to the heart and lungs. In two controlled laboratory studies, a single oral dose of Simparica Trio was 100% effective at preventing heartworm disease.

Pyrantel Pamoate — Against Intestinal Worms Unlike the other two ingredients, pyrantel pamoate stays primarily in the gastrointestinal tract rather than being absorbed systemically. There it paralyzes roundworms and hookworms by blocking neuromuscular transmission — the worms lose the ability to maintain their position in the intestine and are expelled naturally in your dog's stool. It works specifically on adult and immature adult worms in the gut.

Together, these three mechanisms cover both external parasites living on the skin and internal parasites living in the bloodstream, heart, and intestines — which is what makes the combination genuinely unique.

Simparica Trio Canada — Dosage and How to Give It

This 10.1–20 kg size contains: Sarolaner 100 mg / Moxidectin 0.48 mg / Pyrantel 24 mg per tablet

Dose: One chewable tablet, once every 30 days.

How to give it:

• Offer by hand as a treat — most dogs accept it readily due to the pork liver flavour
• Hide it in a small amount of food if your dog is picky
• Place it at the back of the tongue like a standard tablet if needed

Watch your dog for a few minutes after giving the dose to make sure the full tablet was consumed and not dropped or spit out. If you notice part of the dose was lost, contact your vet.

Starting Simparica Trio:

• You can begin at any time of year — you don't need to wait for a specific season
• For heartworm prevention, give within one month of your dog's first seasonal exposure to mosquitoes and continue monthly until at least one month after the last seasonal exposure. Year-round dosing is recommended in areas with extended mosquito seasons — which includes much of Canada, particularly in warmer months
• If switching from another monthly heartworm preventive, give Simparica Trio within one month of the last dose of the previous product

Missed dose: Give Simparica Trio as soon as you realize the dose was missed, then resume the regular monthly schedule from that date.

Simparica Trio Weight Chart — All Available Sizes

Choosing the right size matters — always dose by your dog's actual body weight, not by breed or estimated size.

For dogs weighing more than 60 kg, use an appropriate combination of tablets. Weigh your dog before ordering — do not estimate.

Simparica Trio Side Effects — What to Watch For

In clinical trials and post-market use, Simparica Trio has been well tolerated by the vast majority of dogs. Side effects, when they do occur, are usually mild and temporary.

Most commonly reported:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite
• Otitis externa (ear infection)
• Increased itching (pruritus)
• Increased urination
• Increased water intake
• Hyperactivity

Serious — contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice:

• Tremors, muscle twitching, or uncoordinated movement (ataxia)
• Seizures — this is the most important serious side effect to know
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't resolve
• Difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or sudden collapse — signs of an allergic reaction requiring emergency veterinary care

Important note on seizures: Simparica Trio belongs to the isoxazoline class of parasiticides, which carries an FDA label warning regarding the potential for neurological adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures in dogs. This has been documented most often in dogs with a pre-existing history of seizures or epilepsy. If your dog has ever had a seizure, inform your veterinarian before starting Simparica Trio — a different parasite prevention approach may be more appropriate.

Who Should NOT Take Simparica Trio

Do not give Simparica Trio if your dog:

• Has a known allergy to sarolaner, moxidectin, pyrantel, or any other ingredient in the tablet
• Is under 8 weeks of age
• Weighs less than 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs)
• Is a cat — this product is for dogs only; it is toxic to cats

Use with caution and veterinary guidance if your dog:

• Has a history of seizures or neurological disorders — isoxazolines can lower the seizure threshold
• Is pregnant, breeding, or lactating — safety in these dogs has not been fully established; use only if the benefit outweighs potential risk as determined by your vet
• Has heartworm disease already — Simparica Trio is a preventive, not a treatment for existing adult heartworm infection. Dogs in heartworm-endemic areas should be tested for current infection before starting any heartworm preventive
• Is on other medications — always disclose your dog's full medication list to your vet

Simparica Trio vs Other Monthly Dog Parasiticides

Simparica Trio covers the broadest range of parasites in a single monthly oral product. The only thing it doesn't cover that some alternatives do is whipworms — if your dog is in a high-whipworm-risk environment, discuss this with your vet.

Simparica Trio for Dogs in Canada — What Pet Owners Should Know

Canadian dog owners have specific parasite considerations that make broad-spectrum protection particularly worthwhile:

Heartworm in Canada: Heartworm was once considered a southern U.S. concern, but its range has expanded significantly northward over the past decade due to climate shifts. Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and parts of British Columbia now have documented heartworm activity. The Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel (CPEP) recommends year-round or extended-season heartworm prevention for most dogs across Canada.

Ticks in Canada: Black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) — carriers of Lyme disease — are well established across much of southern Ontario, parts of Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Manitoba, with their range continuing to expand. Simparica Trio is the only combination parasiticide that covers all six major tick species found in North America, including black-legged ticks.

Intestinal parasites: Roundworms and hookworms are common in Canadian dogs, particularly in puppies, shelter dogs, and dogs with outdoor exposure. Regular deworming through a product like Simparica Trio is part of standard Canadian veterinary parasite prevention guidelines.

Your vet is the best source for advice on what's specifically relevant in your region — but the broad coverage of Simparica Trio makes it a strong fit for most Canadian dogs with outdoor exposure.

Storage Instructions

• Store at room temperature, between 15°C and 30°C
• Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture
• Keep in original packaging until use
• Store out of reach of children and other pets
• Do not give to cats — toxic to felines
• Do not use past the printed expiry date