The FDA has approved a new chewable flea-tick preventative for dogs. The product, called NexGard, is beef flavored, and will kill both insects and acarines. According to the manufacturer, the preventative has demonstrated "excellent efficacy at a low dose," and is the first and only soft beef-flavored chew that is approved to kill both fleas and ticks.

NexGard will be a prescription only product, and will contain the active ingredient afoxolaner. The product will be available in four sizes according to the dog's weight. Merial, the manufacturer of NexGard, says the product will provide a new option for external parasite control. "We have leveraged expertise as well as our strength in chewable technologies to develop NexGard," said CEO Carsten Hellmann.