If you've juggled a flea spot-on, a tick chew, a heartworm tablet and a quarterly all-wormer just to keep one dog protected, the rules just changed in Australia. Walking into 2026, dog owners finally have a single monthly chew that covers the lot.
In Short:
Advocate Ultra Chew is a monthly chewable tablet from Elanco that covers seven parasite groups in a single dose — fleas, paralysis ticks (plus bush and brown dog ticks), heartworm, demodex mites, roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms, including the zoonotic hydatid tapeworm.
It uses four active ingredients working together — lotilaner, moxidectin, pyrantel and praziquantel — and starts killing fleas within 2 hours and ticks within 4 hours.
APVMA-approved and registered for puppies from 8 weeks of age and 2 kg, it's the most complete all-in-one chew currently available in Australia.
Why Australian Dogs Need More Than Flea-and-Tick Cover
Most monthly parasite products solve part of the problem. They knock down fleas, or they cover ticks, or they prevent heartworm — but rarely all of those alongside a worm treatment. For Australian dogs, that gap matters. Paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is endemic along the entire east coast and is one of the few preventable parasites that can kill a healthy dog inside 24 hours. Hydatid tapeworm — most relevant in rural and pastoral areas — is zoonotic, meaning it can pass from dogs to humans, and it's missed by most all-in-one alternatives. Heartworm continues to spread as Australia's mosquito range shifts.
The practical consequence for owners is parasite-product juggling: a flea spot-on, a separate tick chew, a monthly heartworm tablet, an all-wormer every three months. Different schedules, different reminders, different bills.
What to Look for in an All-in-One Monthly Chew
When evaluating a single-chew solution, four things actually matter: coverage breadth (does it kill paralysis tick, hydatid tapeworm and demodex?), speed of action (how fast does it start killing fleas and ticks after dosing?), age-from indication (can it be given to young puppies safely?), and weight-band fit (is your dog comfortably inside one band rather than at the edge of two?). A chew that nails all four removes the juggling and gives you a single date in the calendar for the next dose.
Extra Small Flea, Tick and Worming Chew (2-2.8kg)
Advocate UltraSpecifically formulated for the tiniest of dogs weighing between 2 and 2.8kg, this chew delivers complete flea, tick and worming protection in a dose precisely sized for very small breeds. Powerful protection doesn't have to mean a big tablet.
Suits breeds including: Chihuahua, Russian Toy, Yorkshire Terrier (toy), Pomeranian (miniature), Maltese (small), and Miniature Pinscher.
Small Flea, Tick and Worming Chew (2.8-5.5kg)
Advocate UltraDesigned for small dogs weighing between 2.8 and 5.5kg, this chew provides full-spectrum flea, tick and worming coverage in a convenient monthly treat. Perfect for the small breeds that may be little in size but are big on personality.
Suits breeds including: Maltese, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, Papillon, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Dachshund, Toy Poodle, Miniature Pinscher, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (smaller individuals).
Medium Flea, Tick and Worming Chew (5.5-11kg)
Advocate UltraFormulated for medium-sized dogs weighing between 5.5 and 11kg, this chew delivers comprehensive flea, tick and worming protection in a single monthly dose. It's the ideal size for active, mid-sized breeds that need serious parasite coverage without the fuss of topical treatments.
Suits breeds including: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pug, Miniature Schnauzer, West Highland White Terrier, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Border Terrier, Basenji, Shetland Sheepdog, and Jack Russell Terrier.
Large Flea, Tick and Worming Chew (11-22kg)
Advocate UltraBuilt for larger dogs weighing between 11 and 22kg, this chew offers the same complete flea, tick and worming protection scaled to suit bigger, more energetic breeds. One chew a month is all it takes to keep active dogs covered.
Suits breeds including: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Whippet, Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collie, Bull Terrier, Brittany Spaniel, Siberian Husky, Vizsla, Basenji, and Miniature American Shepherd.
Extra Large Flea, Tick and Worming Chew (22-45kg)
Advocate UltraFormulated for large and giant breeds weighing between 22 and 45kg, this chew delivers the full power of Advocate™ Ultra's flea, tick and worming formula in a dose matched to bigger dogs' needs. Comprehensive protection for your largest family member, made simple.
Suits breeds including: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Boxer, Rottweiler, Weimaraner, Dobermann, Siberian Husky, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Alaskan Malamute.
How Advocate Ultra Chew Differs from the Original Advocate Spot-On
The original Advocate is also from Elanco, but it's a topical spot-on built around different actives — imidacloprid and moxidectin — and it does not kill ticks. Ultra Chew is an oral chewable using lotilaner, moxidectin, pyrantel and praziquantel, and it adds tick coverage (paralysis, bush and brown dog ticks) plus tapeworm cover including hydatid. Same brand family, broader spectrum, oral instead of topical.
Sizing, Administration, and What to Expect
Pick the size that matches your dog's current weight, not their breed expectation — Ultra Chew runs in five bands from 2 kg to 45 kg. Give the chew with food once a month on the same date each month; if your dog spits it out, the dose isn't absorbed and you'll need to redose. Fleas typically start dropping within 2 hours and ticks within 4. If you're switching from a spot-on, give the first chew on the day the spot-on cycle would normally repeat so coverage doesn't lapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Advocate Ultra Chew kill paralysis ticks?
Yes. Advocate Ultra Chew is registered to cover paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus), bush ticks and brown dog ticks. Tick-killing activity is established within 4 hours of dosing, and a single dose covers 30 days. Even with this protection, daily tick searches remain best practice in known tick areas.
At what age can puppies start Advocate Ultra Chew?
From 8 weeks of age, provided the puppy weighs at least 2 kg. The Extra Small variant (2–2.8 kg) is sized for very small puppies at that minimum weight and for adult toy breeds. If your puppy is under 2 kg or under 8 weeks, talk to your vet about an interim plan.
Is Advocate Ultra Chew the same as the original Advocate spot-on?
No. The original Advocate is a topical spot-on using imidacloprid and moxidectin and does not cover ticks. Ultra Chew is an oral chew using lotilaner, moxidectin, pyrantel and praziquantel, and it adds tick and tapeworm cover. It's the same brand, a different formulation, and broader spectrum.
How does Advocate Ultra Chew compare to NexGard Spectra?
Both are monthly chews and both cover fleas, ticks, heartworm and several intestinal worms. The practical difference is tapeworm cover — Advocate Ultra Chew kills tapeworms (including hydatid), and NexGard Spectra does not, which is why NexGard Spectra users typically still pair it with a separate quarterly all-wormer. The two products also use different active-ingredient classes, which matters for some breeds.
Does Advocate Ultra Chew cover hydatid tapeworm?
Yes. The praziquantel component covers tapeworms, including the hydatid tapeworm. Hydatid is a zoonotic parasite — it can transmit from dogs to humans — and it's most relevant in rural and pastoral areas of Australia. Most monthly chews on the Australian market don't cover hydatid, which is why a separate quarterly all-wormer is so often layered with other products.
Can I give Advocate Ultra Chew alongside other parasite products?
Most owners won't need to — the chew is designed to be a complete monthly solution on its own. If your dog lives in or travels through a high-tick area, or you're managing a specific risk like ehrlichiosis from brown dog ticks, talk to your vet about layering an additional product such as a tick-repellent collar.
How often do I give Advocate Ultra Chew?
Once a month, on the same date each month, given with food. Set a phone reminder so you don't miss a dose — even a few days late can leave a gap in heartworm or tick cover. If you miss a dose, give the next chew as soon as you remember and continue the monthly cycle from that new date.
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