Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs: A Product Review

Heartworms, roundworms and hookworms are three of the most commonly encountered parasites for dogs. Heartgard Plus Chewables are, in my opinion, one of the best choices available for preventing these parasites in dogs. When used monthly at the proper dosage, Heartgard Plus Chewables are very effective not only at preventing heartworms, but also at controlling roundworms and hookworms in dogs.

Why should you worry about whether your dog gets heartworms, roundworms or hookworms, you ask?

Well, heartworms are carried by mosquitoes and can be passed to your dog through the bite of a mosquito. And it only takes one bite for your dog to get heartworms from that mosquito. Once infected with heartworms, your dog can suffer serious heart damage as a result of the heartworm parasite. Heartworm disease can be fatal for your dog.

Many people think that treating for heartworms once they are present is simple and easy. This is not true. Heartworm treatment is sometimes dangerous and can be unpredictable. Treating heartworm disease takes 4-6 months, requiring that your dog be closely confined for most if not all of that period. Results are not guaranteed and some dogs will still have heartworms even after undergoing treatment. Heartworm treatment is also expensive, often costing upwards of $1000.

Heartworm prevention, on the other hand is simple and easy to do.

What about roundworms and hookworms?

Roundworms and hookworms are intestinal parasites which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration for your dog. Roundworms and hookworms are also contagious to you and your family, causing skin disease, blindness, seizures and more.

Why Heartgard Plus Chewables?

By giving Heartgard Plus Chewables to your dog every month, you can prevent your dog from becoming infected with any of these parasites. One of the things I like about Heartgard Plus Chewables is the fact the tablets are beef flavored and are easily accepted by most dogs. I’ve seen very few refuse to take them when offered as a treat. I’ve seen many dogs actually look forward to taking their monthly dose of Heartgard Plus Chewable medication and get really excited when they see their person take the package out of the cupboard.

Heartgard Plus Chewables are safe for puppies as young as 6 weeks of age and it is ideal to start your dog on Heartworm Plus Chewables at an early age. Heartgard Plus Chewables should be given every month for the entire year, so effectively your dog should stay on the medication permanently.

Are there any dogs that should not be receiving Heartgard Plus Chewables?

No, Heartgard Plus Chewables are safe for almost any dog. Puppies older than 6 weeks of age can take them, as can pregnant dogs, nursing dogs and dogs used for stud.

Heartgard Plus Chewables are safe for collie breeds at the dosage of ivermectin contained in this medication. (Ivermectin is one of the active ingredients in Heartgard Plus Chewables and collies and collie breeds are sensitive to ivermectin at high dosages, but Heartgard Plus Chewables contain only a low dose of ivermectin.)

Heartgard Plus Chewables should not be given to dogs which have had adverse reactions to the medication in the past. Side effects with Heartgard Plus Chewables are rare but can occur.

What are the side effects with Heartgard Plus Chewables?

Side effects seen with Heartgard Plus Chewables include depression, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, staggering, incoordination and seizures. Stop giving the Heartgard Plus Chewables if you see these types of symptoms in your dog after administration and notify your dog’s veterinarian.

How can you get your dog started on Heartgard Plus Chewables?

Schedule an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian. If your dog is over 6 months of age, he/she will need to be tested for heartworms before starting the tablets. This is to ensure that your dog does not already have a heartworm infection. Puppies less than 6 months do not need to be tested.

Your veterinarian may recommend that you have your dog retested for heartworms every 6-12 months even if your dog receives Heartgard Plus Chewables year round. I recommend to my clients that their dogs be tested at least once yearly. This is done as a safety precaution. Though Heartgard Plus Chewables are very effective, we all live busy lives and sometimes with our busy schedules we might forget to give the Heartgard Chewable Plus tablet for one month or we might give it later in the month than we should. I have also seen some dogs which vomited the medication shortly after taking it for various reasons likely unrelated to the medication itself. Because heartworms can cause such serious disease to your dog’s heart, regular testing just allows us to determine that the medication is working properly for your dog.

Are Heartgard Plus Chewables the only medication on the market which can protect my dog from these parasites?

No, of course not. There are numerous products which can protect your dog from heartworms, roundworms and hookworms. Heartgard Plus Chewables are only one option. However, because Heartgard Plus Chewables are so effective and are so palatable, I feel that Heartgard Plus Chewables are a good choice for any dog owner.