Last Updated: 28/07/2026
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
Not every flea, tick and heartworm combo covers tapeworm, and it's one of the most common gaps in a dog's parasite protection. Our vet team breaks down which tapeworm tablets actually work, whether popular products treat tapeworm, and how often you need to dose.
Author: Dr Angie Armstrong BVSc
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
Most all-in-one flea, tick and worming products don't treat tapeworm, which catches a lot of dog owners out. The active ingredient you need is praziquantel, and only some products contain it in an effective dose. This guide breaks down which tapeworm tablets for dogs actually work, whether your current combo product has you covered, and how often to give them. For more on symptoms and how dogs pick up tapeworm in the first place, read our article - Tapeworm signs and treatment
Does Nexgard Spectra cover tapeworm?
Nexgard Spectra covers fleas and therefore it also controls the flea tapeworm, although it and other flea preventatives will not treat existing flea tapeworm infections. It does not provide coverage for the hydatid tapeworm which can be acquired when dogs eat contaminated raw meat and offal. If your dog is on Nexgard Spectra, you'll need a separate tapewormer containing praziquantel to cover for hydatid tapeworm.
This is one of the most common points of confusion for dog owners, since "all-in-one" combination products sound like they should cover everything. Nexgard Spectra is one of the most widely used parasite preventatives in Australia, but its worming component was designed around the three common intestinal worms, not tapeworm.
The fix is simple: keep your dog on Nexgard Spectra as usual, and add a standalone tapeworm tablet (such as Virbac Tapewormer or Popantel) or an allwormer such as Drontal or Endogard , once every 3 months, or once every 6 weeks for dogs at higher risk of hydatid tapeworm (dogs who scavenge, eat raw meat or offal, or hunt rodents and rabbits).
Tapeworm-only tablets for dogs
If your regular parasite product doesn't cover tapeworm, a standalone praziquantel tablet fills the gap without needing to switch products. Options include Virbac Tapewormer and Popantel, both single-dose praziquantel tablets designed to slot in alongside a combo product like Nexgard Spectra or Simparica Trio.
Alternatively, an all-wormer with tapeworm cover already built in, such as Drontal or Endogard, treats tapeworm alongside the other intestinal worms in a single tablet. This suits dogs who aren't on a heartworm-inclusive combo product, or owners who'd rather give one tablet than two.
Which combo products cover tapeworm?
Most flea, tick and heartworm combination products do not cover for all dog tapeworms. Milbemax and Milpro do cover tapeworm since they are specifically formulated as all-wormers but do cover for heartworm if given monthly.
- Nexgard Spectra: Prevents flea tapeworm by covering for fleas (covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm)
- Simparica Trio: Prevents flea tapeworm by covering for fleas (covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm)
- Bravecto (chewable): No worm cover at all, just fleas, ticks and mites, so you'll need a full wormer separately
- Credelio Plus: Prevents flea tapeworm (covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm)
- Milbemax: Covers tapeworm (as well as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms). Also covers heartworm if given monthly
- Milpro: Covers tapeworm (as well as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms). Also covers heartworm if given monthly
If your dog is on any product not listed here as covering tapeworm, pair it with a standalone tapewormer like Virbac Tapewormer or Popantel.
How often should you give tapewormer tablets?
Most dogs need a tapeworm tablet every 3 months. Dogs at higher risk of hydatid tapeworm, those who scavenge, eat raw meat or offal, or hunt rodents and rabbits, should be treated every 6 weeks instead. If you're already using an all-wormer like Milbemax or Milpro that includes tapeworm cover, you don't need a separate tapewormer, just stick to the label schedule. For a full worming schedule for dogs covering every worm type, see our other guide - How often should I worm my dog?
Tapeworm is easy to overlook, since most everyday parasite products don't cover it, but a single extra tablet every few months closes the gap. For a full guide to parasite prevention covering fleas, ticks and worms together, see our complete guide.
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Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue Jul 28 2026
Written by Dr Angie Armstrong BVScDr Angie Armstrong BVSc
BVSc
Dr Angie Armstrong graduated from the University of Queensland in 2008 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland.
