NexGard vs Bravecto: Price Comparison & Cost per Dose (2026)
Essential Pricing Takeaways
- • NexGard (afoxolaner) is administered every 30 days, while Bravecto (fluralaner) protects for 12 weeks per oral chew.
- • A 6-month supply of NexGard for large dogs costs $132 ($22.00/chew) at Walmart PetRx, while a 12-week Bravecto chew costs $68.50 ($22.83/month).
- • Both medications belong to the isoxazoline class; per the FDA 2018 communication, use caution in dogs with a history of seizures.
- • Pet owners seeking broader flea treatment options can compare fast-acting flea pills for dogs for emergency infestations.
- • Prices below were checked on retailer sites in November 2026 and change often.
NexGard and Bravecto are two widely prescribed isoxazoline flea and tick preventatives for dogs in North America. Both products are flavored oral chewables that provide systemic parasite protection without topical residues.
The primary difference between the two lies in dosing frequency. NexGard is dosed once every 30 days (12 chews per year), while Bravecto protects for 12 weeks (4 chews per year). Because Bravecto requires only four doses annually, some pet owners find it easier for compliance.
From a cost perspective, both medications average approximately $22 to $23 per month of protection when purchased from licensed online dispensaries. However, individual dose costs and carton sizes vary across retailers.
This guide breaks down comparative prices, active chemical compounds, FDA safety labeling, and pharmacy sourcing options.
NexGard vs Bravecto: Dosing Schedule, Active Ingredients, and Retail Cost
| Medication | Active Ingredient | Dosing Schedule | Chewy Price | Walmart PetRx Price | Monthly Equivalent | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NexGard Large (60.1 - 121 lbs) | Afoxolaner (68mg) | Every 30 Days (6 Chews) | $138.00 | $132.00 | $22.00 / month | Check Price → |
| Bravecto Large (44 - 88 lbs) | Fluralaner (1000mg) | Every 12 Weeks (1 Chew) | $74.50 | $68.50 | $22.83 / month ($68.50/chew) | Check Price → |
| NexGard Medium (24.1 - 60 lbs) | Afoxolaner (28.3mg) | Every 30 Days (6 Chews) | $134.00 | $128.00 | $21.33 / month | Check Price → |
| Bravecto Medium (22 - 44 lbs) | Fluralaner (500mg) | Every 12 Weeks (1 Chew) | $72.50 | $66.50 | $22.17 / month ($66.50/chew) | Check Price → |
*Prices below were checked on retailer sites in November 2026 and change often.
Top Recommended Options & Discounts
NexGard Chewables for Dogs
Best For: Pet owners who prefer a monthly routine and want an established beef-flavored chew
- ✓ Formulated with afoxolaner to kill adult fleas and ticks for 30 days
- ✓ Soft, beef-flavored chewable tablet given once monthly
- ✓ Approved for puppies 8 weeks of age and older weighing 4 pounds or more
- ✓ FDA-regulated prescription medication
Bravecto Chewable for Dogs
Best For: Pet parents seeking reduced dosing frequency with only 4 doses per year
- ✓ Formulated with fluralaner for 12 weeks of flea and tick defense per chew
- ✓ Only 4 doses per year required for full-year coverage
- ✓ Approved for puppies 6 months of age and older weighing 4.4 pounds or more
- ✓ FDA-regulated prescription medication
Calculate Exact Dose & Cost-Per-Day by Pet Weight
Adjust the weight slider to determine the required clinical dose tier, monthly supply costs, and annual mail-order savings.
Example comparison based on listed retail estimates.
Comparative Clinical Pharmacology: Afoxolaner vs Fluralaner
Both afoxolaner (NexGard) and fluralaner (Bravecto) belong to the isoxazoline class of ectoparasiticides. They act as antagonists at insect ligand-gated chloride channels (GABA receptors), causing hyper-excitation and parasite mortality.
According to the FDA Freedom of Information Summary for NexGard (NADA 141-406), afoxolaner starts killing fleas within 4 hours. According to the FDA Freedom of Information Summary for Bravecto (NADA 141-426), fluralaner maintains therapeutic blood concentrations for 12 weeks following a single oral dose.
Neither product prevents ticks or fleas from biting; the parasite must attach and feed to ingest the active compound.
FDA Safety Advisory on Isoxazoline Products
According to the FDA Fact Sheet: Potential Adverse Events Associated with Certain Flea and Tick Products, isoxazoline medications have been associated with neurological adverse events, including muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures in dogs and cats.
The FDA advises veterinarians to use caution when considering isoxazoline products in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders.
Cost Analysis & Pharmacy Sourcing
Prices below were checked on retailer sites in November 2026 and change often.
When comparing equivalent 12-month coverage for a 70-pound dog, NexGard requires two 6-month boxes ($264 total at Walmart PetRx), while Bravecto requires four 12-week chews ($274 total at Walmart PetRx). The net annual cost difference is roughly $10.
Pet owners dealing with an active flea outbreak can also read our guide on fast-acting flea pills for dogs for acute knockdown options.