Ultimate Guide to Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs
Meet Top Heart Protector: Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs!
Heartgard Plus Chewables is the veterinarian, FDA, and EPA-approved medication that protects your dogs from dangerous internal parasites, such as heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and ascarids. Safe and effective, Heartgard Plus Chewables is a real beef chewable taken monthly to especially prevent vicious heartworm disease.
As a preventative drug, Heartgard Plus Chewables should only be used on untreated dogs. Make sure your pup is tested by your veterinarian before use.
How do Heartgard Plus Chewables work?
Heartgard Plus Chewables is a medication with two active ingredients. Ivermectin and Pyrantel are both anthelmintics or dewormers.
Ivermectin is commonly known as a heartworm preventative by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis). It is a monthly anti-parasitic agent that paralyzes, kills, and treats infections caused by gastrointestinal parasites. Pyrantel pamoate is used to treat roundworm, hookworm, and stomach worm parasites in dogs.
NOTE: FDA-approved Ivermectin has broad-spectrum anti-parasitic and anti-viral activity in vitro. It is an inhibitor of the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. Ivermectin is widely available due to its inclusion on the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of essential medicines.
How are Heartgard Plus Chewables administered?
Heartgard Plus Chewables are administered orally once a month and protect your dog to be worm-free for the next 30 days. These real beef-flavored chewable tablets can be used as dog treats or eaten with the dog's food. Heartgard Plus Chewables are used year-round for maximum prevention effectiveness.
| Weight |
Ivermectin/Pyrantel Content per tablet (mcg/mg) |
No. of Tablets |
| 0 - 25 lbs. | 68/57 | One |
| 26 - 50 lbs. | 136/114 | One |
| 51 - 100 lbs. | 272/227 | One |
What are the precautions of which you should be aware?
Most importantly, ensure that every dog is tested for heartworm infection before beginning prevention therapy and using Heartgard Plus Chewables.
Oral Heartgard Plus Chewables are effective against the tissue heartworm larval stage of D. immitis for a month after infections of the preventative. However, Heartgard Plus Chewables cannot prevent the development of the adult stage.
Use with caution for collies and other herding dog breeds. These breeds have been known to have adverse reactions to ivermectin at elevated dose levels. Lastly, use the right and recommended dose level for pregnant or breeding dogs, stud dogs, and puppies at least 6 weeks old.
What are the potential side effects of which you should be aware?
Heartgard Plus Chewables is well tolerated by most dogs. Some unfriendly but uncommon reactions have been reported, such as vomiting, diarrhea, depression, lethargy, and hypersalivation. An overdose may cause tremors, disorientation, mydriasis, blindness, or loss of appetite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Heartgard and Heartgard Plus?
Heartgard and Heartgard Plus both protect dogs against heartworm infestation. Heartgard protects against heartworms alone. Heartgard Plus protects against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and other ascarids (types of intestinal parasites).
What is the dosage between Heartgard Plus for small dogs and large dogs?
As you see in the chart above, the chewable comes in three different dosages, depending on your dog's weight. The dosages come in micrograms (mcg) of ivermectin versus milligrams (mg) of pyrantel in the tablet. If the recommended dose is exceeded, the pet owner will observe different adverse reactions.
Are Heartgard Plus Chewables for puppies?
Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs can be administered to puppies that are at least 6 weeks old and regardless of weight.
What do the Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs reviews say?
Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs reviews rate 5+ stars out of 5. Most reviewers say that they are so confident in Heartgard Plus as a heartworm preventative and their dogs are happy about their monthly yummy treats. Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs is the only gastrointestinal preventative that they trust for their furry best friend.
Concluding Thoughts
The most important thing that you should know about Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs is that it is the top choice preventative against the dangerous heartworm disease in which it gives your dog a layer of protection from stomach worm infestations for 30 days. Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs will improve your dog's quality of life.
DISCLAIMER: FDA law restricts Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs only on order or prescription of a licensed veterinarian for the best pet health care advice. Ask your veterinarian or consult with one of our pet care specialists at 1-800-844-1427. This informative article is not meant to substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, and professional advice from your veterinarian or other qualified professionals regarding a medical condition. Ask your veterinarian if it's a good idea to treat all of the animals in your household to control a home flea infestation.
Tri-Heart Plus is a generic/alternative to Heartgard Plus, with the same active ingredients at a lower price.