Purchasing Pet Medications Online has become increasingly convenient, offering a wide array of options from heartworm prevention to essential eye drops. You no longer need to make trips to the vet’s office for refills, thanks to numerous online pharmacies that cater to your pet’s needs, even for prescription medications.
Many of these online retailers simplify the process; you can often just upload a photo of your pet’s prescription from your veterinarian. Some pharmacies may also contact your vet directly after you place an order to confirm the prescription. Generally, online pet pharmacies offer competitive prices, and delivery is typically fast and reliable.
Among the various options available, Chewy stands out as a top choice for buying pet medication online. Renowned for its extensive selection of pet products and exceptional customer service, Chewy provides a comprehensive online pharmacy experience. However, numerous other reputable online pharmacies offer unique benefits and cater to different needs. Let’s explore some of the best ways to buy pet medication online, including full-service retailers that provide supplements and all the essentials to keep your pet healthy.
Chewy
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PHOTO: Chewy/ Zoetis
What We Like:
- Wide selection of medications and products for diverse pets
- Compounding pharmacy services available
- Fast and efficient shipping
- Availability of generic medication options
- Excellent customer service reputation
What We Don’t Like:
- Free shipping requires a minimum purchase of $50
Chewy is well-regarded for its vast inventory spanning various pet products, and their pharmacy is equally comprehensive. Whether you have dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles, or other animals, Chewy offers medications, prescription diets, and health products to meet their needs. A standout feature is their compounding pharmacy, which specializes in creating customized medications tailored to a pet’s specific requirements. This could involve flavoring a liquid medicine to make it more palatable for a dog or combining multiple medications into a single topical treatment.
Navigating Chewy’s pharmacy is straightforward. You can search for medications by category, such as allergies or antibiotics, or by specific conditions like asthma or anxiety. They stock numerous name brands alongside cost-effective generic alternatives. To fulfill prescription orders, you provide your veterinarian’s information during checkout, and Chewy will contact them for prescription verification. Alternatively, you can mail in your prescription.
Chewy provides free shipping on orders exceeding $49 and often offers discounts on your first auto-ship order. They ensure temperature-sensitive medications are shipped safely in insulated coolers with cooling packs designed to maintain refrigeration for up to 72 hours. Chewy is also known for its outstanding customer service, promptly addressing inquiries, resolving issues with incorrect or damaged items, and providing overall support.
Prescription Medications: Yes | Delivery: Free over $49
Walmart Pet Rx
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PHOTO: Walmart PetRx
What We Like:
- Extensive product selection
- Competitive pricing on medications
- Free two-day shipping on orders over $35
- Products available for a wide range of animal types
What We Don’t Like:
- Fewer search categories for product browsing
Walmart PetRx boasts an impressive inventory of over 3,000 in-stock products, allowing you to shop by pet type, brand, or condition. They offer medications and health-related products for dogs, cats, fish, birds, horses, and even farm animals. Beyond common medications like antibiotics, pain relievers, and allergy treatments, Walmart PetRx also stocks specialized drugs such as probiotics for cows and aspirin for horses’ muscle soreness.
A notable feature of Walmart PetRx is the detailed product information provided for each item. You’ll find comprehensive descriptions of the medication, its uses, how it works, active ingredients, and potential side effects. For prescription medications, you simply enter your vet’s information at checkout, and Walmart PetRx will handle the prescription verification. They offer free two-day shipping for orders over $35 and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Subscribing to auto-ship can unlock further savings, and refills are easily managed with a single click. Walmart PetRx is known for its competitive prices and extensive selection, making it a strong contender for online pet medications.
Prescription Medications: Yes | Delivery: Free over $35
PetMeds
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PHOTO: 1-800-PetMeds
What We Like:
- User-friendly website with easy sorting options
- Availability of generic medication alternatives
- Price matching policy, rewards program, and satisfaction guarantee
What We Don’t Like:
- Limited to medications for dogs, cats, and horses
- Free shipping threshold is $50
PetMeds, also known as 1-800-PetMeds, is a well-established online pet pharmacy with a strong reputation. They focus on providing medications and health supplies for dogs, cats, and horses. Their website is designed for easy navigation, allowing you to refine your search by category, health condition, life stage, brand, flavor, or price. PetMeds also offers generic medication options whenever available, providing cost-saving alternatives. Prescription verification is handled by providing your vet’s contact details during ordering; PetMeds will then contact your veterinarian to confirm the prescription. You can also mail in your pet’s prescription if preferred.
PetMeds offers free shipping on orders over $49 and a price match guarantee, ensuring you receive competitive pricing. They also stand behind their products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, offering refunds or merchandise credit if you’re not completely satisfied. Their rewards program allows you to earn 2% back on all purchases, accumulating credit for future orders.
Prescription Medications: Yes | Delivery: Free over $49
Petco
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PHOTO: Blue Buffalo
What We Like:
- Offers prescription products for dogs, cats, and horses
- Price-match guarantee to ensure competitive pricing
- Earn points with every purchase through their rewards program
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not carry products for birds, rodents, or other small pets
Petco, a well-known name in pet supplies with both physical stores and a robust online presence, also operates a thriving pharmacy. Currently, they offer medications, prescription food, and health-related products for dogs, cats, and horses. Petco simplifies the prescription process by collecting vet information during checkout and contacting your veterinarian for verification.
Their online pharmacy allows you to search for medications by type or brand, and further refine your search by price, size, and customer ratings. Petco’s price-match guarantee ensures you’re getting the most competitive price available. Their rewards program allows you to accumulate points with every purchase, which can be redeemed for savings. They also offer a convenient one-click refill system. Free shipping is available on orders over $35, and you can save even more by signing up for repeat delivery.
Prescription Medications: Yes | Delivery: Free over $35
Costco Pet RX
PHOTO: Costco
What We Like:
- Prescriptions can be filled online or at physical Costco stores
- Website compares prices with partner pharmacies
- Free standard shipping on medication orders
What We Don’t Like:
- In-store prices may be cheaper than online prices
Costco, known for bulk purchases and warehouse savings, extends those benefits to pet prescription medications for its members. Using their website’s search function, you can find your pet’s medication and compare availability and pricing across Costco’s in-store pharmacy, Costco Home Delivery, and partner network pharmacies like Walgreens.
While typically most cost-effective to fill prescriptions in a physical Costco store, home delivery is available for a slight premium and offers convenience with free standard shipping. To process prescriptions, you’ll need your vet to call or fax the prescription to Costco, or you can mail it in if time is not a constraint. Costco claims potential discounts of up to 40% compared to traditional pharmacies and provides free standard shipping on all pet medication orders.
Prescription Medications: Yes | Delivery: Free standard shipping
Amazon Pet Health
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like:
- Wide range of health-related supplies for all animal types
- Extensive product selection on the Amazon platform
- Free delivery on orders over $25 or with Amazon Prime membership
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not currently offer prescription medications
Amazon, while not yet offering prescription medications for pets, is a vast resource for other pet health products. Their selection includes a massive variety of vitamins, supplements, dewormers, flea and tick treatments, and numerous health-related items like recovery cones (for dogs, cats, and even birds), ear cleaners, wipes, thermometers, and first aid supplies.
While dogs and cats have the most product options, Amazon also carries items for horses, reptiles, birds, fish, and other small animals. You can find wound ointments, mite sprays, deodorizing wipes, digestive upset relief drops for birds, eye drops for turtles, and even parasite treatments for aquariums. Most items ship quickly, and shipping is free on orders over $25 or for Amazon Prime members. Amazon is a convenient option for non-prescription pet healthcare needs.
Prescription Medications: No | Delivery: Free over $25 or with Prime membership
PetCareRx
PHOTO: PetCareRx
What We Like:
- Detailed information provided for each medication, including FAQs
- Daily deals and coupons available, free shipping on orders over $48
- Subscription plan offers further savings and free shipping on all orders
What We Don’t Like:
- Product selection primarily focused on dogs and cats
PetCareRx is an online pet pharmacy specializing in prescription medications and health and wellness products for dogs and cats. Their “pet meds” dropdown menu provides easy access to prescription medications, sortable by pet type or condition. A key feature of PetCareRx is the extensive information available for each medication, including FAQs, dosage details, and potential side effects. They also offer a comprehensive wellness library with in-depth information on various pet conditions and treatments.
PetCareRx carries both brand-name and generic medications, often providing more affordable generic alternatives. They offer daily deals and coupons on a rotating selection of products and free shipping on orders over $48. Like other online pharmacies, they handle prescription verification by contacting your vet or accepting mailed hard copies. For additional benefits, their PetPlus membership program ($139.99 annually) includes extra savings, free shipping, local pharmacy pickup options, and access to virtual veterinary consultations.
Prescription Medications: Yes | Delivery: Free over $48
GoodRx for Pets
PHOTO: GoodRx
What We Like:
- Price comparison across numerous pharmacies, both online and local
- Coupons available for discounts on pet medications
- Search functionality by medication name or condition
What We Don’t Like:
- Deepest discounts often require a paid subscription
GoodRx for Pets extends the popular GoodRx prescription price comparison service to pet medications. The site tracks prescription drug prices at nearby pharmacies and online retailers, enabling you to find the most affordable option. It also provides coupons for potential discounts. Simply enter the medication name, quantity, dosage, and form (pills, liquid, etc.), and GoodRx for Pets will compare prices. You can search by drug name or by the condition being treated.
GoodRx also offers a premium membership program, GoodRx Gold, for deeper savings and direct purchasing options. GoodRx Gold costs $9.99/month for individuals or $19.99/month for a family (including pets) and promises even greater discounts, potentially up to 90% off, along with free home delivery for all medications.
Prescription Medications: Yes| Delivery: Free with paid plan
VetRxDirect
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PHOTO: VetRxDirect
What We Like:
- Helpful Q&As from other customers on medication pages
- Good selection of both prescription and non-prescription items
- Availability of many generic medication options
What We Don’t Like:
- Primarily focused on medications for dogs and cats
- Website search functionality can be less intuitive compared to some competitors
- Free shipping requires a higher minimum spend of $59
VetRxDirect is another dedicated online pet pharmacy offering a solid selection of prescription and wellness products specifically for dogs and cats. While their website search might not be as streamlined as some competitors, they offer various ways to browse, including popular pet categories on the homepage and a dropdown menu to sort by pet type or condition. VetRxDirect provides numerous generic medication choices and competitive pricing.
A valuable feature of VetRxDirect is the presence of customer reviews and helpful Q&A sections on many medication pages. This can provide practical insights, such as whether tablets are chewable or scored for easier dosing. For prescription orders, VetRxDirect will fax your veterinarian for approval, or you can mail in a copy of your prescription. Shipping is free on orders over $59.
Prescription Medications: Yes | Delivery: Free over $59
Final Verdict: Best Online Pet Pharmacies
For buying pet medication online, Chewy remains our top recommendation. Their exceptional customer service, combined with a massive selection of pet products, makes them a reliable and convenient choice. Walmart PetRx is another excellent option, particularly noted for its vast inventory of over 3,000 items and offerings for a wider range of animals, including dogs, cats, fish, birds, horses, and farm animals.
What to Consider When Buying Pet Medication Online
Prescription Medication and Veterinary Verification
Ordering prescription medications online requires veterinary verification to ensure your pet’s safety and the legality of the transaction. The most common verification method begins at checkout: you provide your veterinarian’s name and contact information, and the online pharmacy will contact them to verify the prescription before shipping. Alternatively, you can mail a hard copy of the prescription (email copies are not accepted), though this may delay the process if you need the medication quickly. Some pharmacies also offer the option for your vet to fax the prescription directly to them.
Pharmacy Verification and Legitimacy
The internet hosts a multitude of online pharmacies, some legitimate and others less so. Purchasing from unverified sources carries the risk of receiving counterfeit, expired, or incorrect medications, potentially harming your pet. To ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate online pharmacy, check for verification from reputable organizations. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) provides a tool to verify pharmacy websites. Verified pharmacies adhere to regulations in both their location and the patient’s location, only accept valid prescriptions, and comply with drug and privacy laws, ensuring a safer and more trustworthy experience.
Delivery Options and Speed
Most online pet pharmacies offer free delivery under certain conditions. The most common threshold for free shipping is based on order value, typically ranging from $25 to $59. Costco and Amazon (for Prime members) stand out by offering free delivery on all orders or eligible orders, respectively. Some online pharmacies also provide free shipping through paid membership programs.
Keep in mind that prescription verification by your veterinarian is a prerequisite for shipment. This verification process can add a few days to the overall delivery time, depending on your vet’s responsiveness. Most pharmacies will make multiple attempts to contact your vet and will notify you if they are unable to obtain verification.
Packaging and Medication Integrity
For medications requiring refrigeration, reputable online pharmacies will ship them in insulated coolers with ice packs to maintain the required temperature during transit or utilize overnight shipping. Prescriptions are often packaged in boxes to prevent damage during shipping. Upon receiving your order, carefully examine the packaging and medication to ensure pills are not crushed, liquids haven’t spilled, and check the expiration date to confirm the medication is still effective.
Pet Insurance Coverage
Many pet insurance plans offer coverage for medications. Comprehensive pet insurance policies typically cover a significant portion, if not all, of medication costs. Accident-only policies may cover medications specifically related to a covered accident or illness. Some insurance providers also offer riders that can be added to your policy to include routine medications like monthly heartworm preventatives, expanding your coverage.
FAQ About Buying Pet Medications Online
Can I use a Health Savings Account (HSA) to buy pet medication?
Generally, no. HSAs are intended for human healthcare expenses. However, if you have a documented service animal, you may be able to use HSA funds for expenses related to the health of that service animal, including medications. It’s best to consult with your HSA provider for specific guidance.
Where can I buy pet medication without a prescription?
Certain pet medications are available over-the-counter (OTC), while others require a prescription. OTC pet medications can be purchased from online pet pharmacies, pet supply stores, and large retail chains. It is illegal and unsafe to attempt to purchase prescription pet medications without a valid prescription from a veterinarian who has examined your pet. Companies offering prescription medications without a prescription are operating illegally, and products obtained from such sources are often counterfeit or expired. Furthermore, administering medication to your pet without veterinary guidance can be dangerous.
Is it cheaper to buy pet prescriptions online?
In many cases, yes. Online pet pharmacies often operate with lower overhead costs than traditional veterinary clinics and brick-and-mortar pharmacies, allowing them to offer more competitive pricing on pet medications. However, prices can vary depending on the specific medication and retailer, so it’s always wise to compare prices across different online pharmacies.
Are prescription flea and tick preventatives better for pets?
Generally, prescription flea and tick preventatives tend to be more potent and often more effective than over-the-counter options. The best choice for your pet depends on factors like your budget, your pet’s specific needs, and your veterinarian’s recommendations. Prescription preventatives are often recommended for pets with a higher risk of flea and tick exposure or those with pre-existing health conditions.
Pill Hiding Treats for Easier Medication
Making it easier to give your pet their medication can be a game changer. Pill-hiding treats are designed to mask the taste and smell of pills, making medication time less stressful for both you and your pet. Here are a few popular options:
Greenies Pill Pockets Feline Salmon Flavor Cat Treats
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Greenies Pill Pockets are a favorite for cat owners, available in enticing flavors like salmon, chicken, catnip, and tuna and cheese, making pill administration a treat rather than a struggle.
Vitakraft Meaty Morsels Treats for Cats
Vitakraft Meaty Morsels are soft, chewy treats that can be easily molded around a pill. Made without artificial colors or flavors, they offer a healthier option for concealing medication.
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Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill is a bacon-flavored paste that effectively masks the taste and scent of medication. Its paste form is particularly useful for oddly shaped pills and ensures the medication is fully concealed.
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INABA Churu Bites offer a variety pack of soft, low-calorie treats with a creamy center. The creamy filling makes it easy to insert a pill, and the palatable flavors encourage cats to take their medication without fuss.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
The Spruce Pets is dedicated to providing reliable and comprehensive information on pet health and care. To identify the best online sources for pet medications, we conduct thorough research, evaluating numerous sites based on factors like medication selection, shipping costs, customer reviews, and the prescription verification process. Our recommendations are informed by insights from pet owners and our team’s extensive experience in pet care.
This article was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, a seasoned animal and pet expert with decades of experience. Mary Jo has fostered over 60 dogs and puppies and has extensive personal experience shopping online for pet products. She is committed to finding the safest and most effective products for pets, including top-rated dog toys and dog treats.
This article was updated by Jackie Brown, ensuring the information remains current and reflects the latest developments in online pet medication services.
