If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition that requires ongoing prescription medication or you’re looking for a place to buy over-the-counter products like supplements or antihistamines, online pet pharmacies are a super convenient way to get your paws on whatever you need.
Even if your dog doesn’t have a long-term condition, every pet gets sick at one time or another, and it’s a great idea to have a place in mind to get their prescriptions. Getting them at the vet’s office is fine, but their prices are often extremely inflated.
The vet office’s selection of non-prescription meds is also usually limited and drastically over-priced. Plus, they usually only come in one form (tablets). By ordering through an online pharmacy, you can find what works best for your dog, which is great if they’re fussy with tablets, and save a boat-load of money.
Let’s take a look at our best online pet pharmacy recommendations, starting with our top picks – 1800PetMeds & Chewy Pharmacy, plus answers to some frequently asked questions.
Top Picks
- Best For Prescriptions – 1800PetMeds
- Best Overall Pharmacy – Chewy Pharmacy
- Best Budget Option – EntirelyPets Pharmacy
Best For Prescriptions: 1800PetMeds
We picked 1800PetMeds as our best online pet pharmacy for prescriptions & medications, thanks to their stellar reputation and long history of specializing in pet meds.
| What we Love… | What We Don’t Love… |
|---|---|
| Extensive selection for dogs, cats, & even horses | Limited selection for other types of pets |
| User-friendly website | Takes up to a week for deliveries |
| Amazing daily deals & rewards program | |
| 100% satisfaction guarantee |
Who are they? 1-800-PetMeds was founded by Marc Puleo in 1996 and the company is based in Delray Beach, Florida.
What makes them unique: The pharmacy has an extensive selection of medications, including almost all prescription medications and over-the-counter medications for pretty much everything, catering to dogs, cats, and horses.
What we like: The website allows users to find exactly what they need with a bunch of helpful search filters based on health condition, life stage, brand, flavor, and price. They also accept mail-in prescriptions and discounts for bulk orders of over-the-counter medications.
There are daily deals and numerous discount and rewards programs, including 2% back on all purchases, as well as free shipping on orders over $49 and a 100% satisfaction guarantee with the option for refunds or merchandise credit on all products.
What to consider: While they have almost everything you need medically for your dog, they don’t cater to smaller pets or non-mammals, so take that into consideration if you also have other pets.
Use now: Visit their website and save 20% off at PetMeds with code: NEW20
Best Overall Pharmacy: Chewy Pharmacy
Chewy Pharmacy is our top overall pharmacy pick for their comprehensive range of health and wellness products for all pets, including a reliable prescription service.
| What we Love… | What We Don’t Love… |
|---|---|
| Huge inventory of prescription and OTC meds | Not always the cheapest option |
| One-stop shop for all pet needs | Shipping times vary, and you don’t always know how long it will take before checking out. |
| Integrated with VetSource for faster prescription approvals | |
| Great customer service |
Who are they? Chewy was founded by Ryan Cohen and Michael Day in 2011. They’re based in Dania Beach, Florida.
What makes them unique: Chewy is pretty widely regarded as the best website of its kind for its extensive range of products, ranging from medication and daily essentials to toys and fun stuff, as well as puppy supplies and supplies for dogs with special needs and disabilities.
What we like: Chewy has an excellent reputation for customer service and offers 24/7 help. All of their items also have customer-written reviews and ratings published underneath them, so you can see what other people are saying about them before you make a purchase.
The website has a bunch of helpful search filters to help you navigate their huge inventory and offer free shipping on any order over $49. They also have sales and deals regularly, plus a convenient & discounted auto-ship option for supplies you need to stock up on periodically, with a 15% discount on your first auto-ship order.
What to consider: There is not much to consider with Chewy, although shipping times can range between 1-3 days or 3-5 days depending on what you’re buying, which isn’t ideal for everyone.
Use now: To check out this pharmacy, click here!
Best Budget Option: EntirelyPets Pharmacy
EntirelyPets Pharmacy is our top budget pick for its low-price guarantee. It provides prescription medication for dogs and cats, as well as cattle and pigs, plus over-the-counter medications and general supplies like treats and toys.
| What we Love… | What We Don’t Love… |
|---|---|
| Low-price guarantee | Limited selection of other pet products* |
| Tons of OTC pet meds | Need to spend $79+ (excluding pet food) for free shipping |
| Frequent sales | Multiple exclusions to free shipping |
| Easy-to-reach customer service |
Who are they? Operating since 1999, the company is based in Union City, California, and was founded by Cat and Brad Howard.
What makes them unique: The pharmacy has a low-price guarantee which ensures that their prices are lower than their competitors, making them the best budget pick on our list.
What we like: EntirelyPets offers a large selection of products and an easy-to-use website, with easy repeat prescription refills, educational resources, and helpful customer reviews & ratings underneath each product. They also have periodic promotions, discounts, and loyalty programs, plus auto-ship options for things you need to restock regularly, like treats and flea treatments.
What to consider: It doesn’t cater to smaller or exotic pets. Plus, you have to spend $79 to get free shipping, and dog food (including prescription food) doesn’t count, nor does it ship free.
Use now: To check out this pharmacy, click here!
Best Dog & Cat Specialists: PetCareRX
PetCareRX is an online pet pharmacy that truly specializes in cats and dogs. Not only do they sell medication exclusively for cats and dogs, but they also supply all canine & feline essentials, plus fun extras, and a bunch of helpful advice and resources for owners.
| What we Love… | What We Don’t Love… |
|---|---|
| PetCareRX Points reward program | Limited selection of other pet products* |
| Amazing selection for dogs & cats | No prescriptions for other types of pets |
| Free shipping on orders over $48 | Only ships up to 60 lbs free |
| Beautiful, easy-to-use website |
Who are they? The brand was founded by Blake Brossman in 1998 and is based in Lynbrook, New York.
What makes them unique: The platform stands out with its membership program called PetPlus, which provides access to medicines at discounted wholesale prices for an annual fee of $139. This may be appealing to owners of multiple cats & dogs, especially those with long-term conditions or special needs, as well as owners of rescue shelters.
What we like: As mentioned above, the pharmacy doesn’t just sell medication. They also sell other supplies such as food, treats, and toys, plus accessories & apparel like collars and coats, cleaning & grooming supplies, and crates & furniture like beds and gates, as well as training & behavior aids and travel & outdoor supplies.
They even have a puppy store for all your new puppy needs and a large section dedicated to advice and resources on health and wellness for cats & dogs. Orders over $48 qualify for free shipping for all customers, and all medications come with a page of info on side effects, FAQs, and more. The website also has a quick process for refilling repeat prescriptions.
What to consider: If you want something that caters to more than just cats and dogs, it’s not the one for you!
Best Multi-Pet Pharmacy: Petco Pet Pharmacy
Petco Pet Pharmacy is our top multi-pet pick because it provides just about every type of pet supply you can think of for every type of pet, including medication. So, if you own multiple animals – Petco pet pharmacy could be the right choice for you!
| What we Love… | What We Don’t Love… |
|---|---|
| Partners with VetSource for easy prescription services | One of the pricier options for non-prescription items |
| One-stop shop for all your dog’s needs | Smaller selection of prescriptions than some of the other sites. |
| Vital Care Rewards Program | |
| Free shipping on $35+ with limited exclusions |
Who are they? The company was founded by Walter Evans in 1965, branching out into online pharmaceuticals in 2016. They’re based in San Diego, California, and are one of the most popular pet brands in the US.
What makes them unique: They provide everyday essential home, health, and wellness supplies for dogs, cats, horses, birds, fish, reptiles, rodents, and even farm animals – as well as toys, accessories, and enrichment products for a pretty reasonable price.
What we like: Customers can earn points for every purchase which leads to future savings, and there’s a convenient one-click system for repeat prescription refills. Free shipping is also available on orders over $35, and additional savings are offered through repeat delivery sign-ups.
What to consider: Some customers have complained about the brand’s customer service.
Use now: To check out this pharmacy, click here!
Best Multi-Service: PetSmart Pharmacy
PetSmart Pharmacy comes from another well-loved company that offers a range of services for all aspects of your dog’s life!
| What we Love… | What We Don’t Love… |
|---|---|
| Fairly affordable option | Not connected to VetSource, so requires more work to set up |
| One-stop shopping for most pet needs | Free shipping on $49+ only for Treats members* |
| Great Reward Program | No meds for other types of pets |
| Good selection for dogs, cats, and horses |
Who are they? PetSmart is one of the most popular pet brands in the US. It was founded by Jim and Janice Dougherty in 1986 and it’s based in Phoenix, Arizona. They opened their online pharmacy in 2021.
What makes them unique: In addition to their pharmacy, PetSmart also offers veterinary care, grooming services, training classes, doggy day camps for busy pet parents, and hotels for overnight stays for dogs. So, if you’re looking for one reliable brand to meet all of your needs so that you never have to worry about the quality of care your dog receives, this is the one for you.
What we like: PetSmart also sells products and medications for other pets and animals. They provide points with each purchase that lead to savings in the future, plus useful auto-ship options for products you need regularly. They also provide tracking for orders, accept mail-in prescriptions, and have deals and promotions regularly.
What to consider: Although PetSmart sells products for all pets and animals, their pharmacy only provides medications for dogs, cats, and farm animals/livestock.
Use now: To check out this pharmacy, click here!
Best For Basics: VetRXDirect
VetRXDirect is the perfect online pet pharmacy if you’re someone who likes to get the majority of your dog’s supplies in real life but want a quick, easy, and affordable website for their medical necessities.
| What we Love… | What We Don’t Love… |
|---|---|
| Amazing customer support options | Dated website design, not as user-friendly |
| Free shipping on $49+ orders | No free shipping to AK, HI, or PR |
| Great selection of most popular dog prescriptions | Only accepts snail-mailed or vet-faxed prescriptions |
Who are they? VetRxDirect is based in Coralville, Iowa, and was founded by Dr. Mark Pavsner in 2006.
What makes them unique: VetRXDirect is a long-standing reputable company that supplies all of the basics and essentials, without any extras. They focus on delivering high-quality pet medications and premium veterinary supplements at reasonable prices, straight to your doorstep. However, within those essentials, they supply multiple options and approaches for different dogs – and cats!
What we like: They offer free shipping for orders over $49 and tons of choices for customer support with options to contact them by phone, text, email, or through the on-site chat portal. They also accept mail-in prescriptions and have a newsletter you can sign up for with additional savings.
What to consider: If you’re looking for something more extensive where you can get all your dog’s supplies from, this isn’t it.
Best For All Needs: WalmartPetRx
WalmartPetRx, also known as the Walmart pet pharmacy, accompanies their regular store, which needs no introduction. If you want to kill two birds with one stone and order your pet’s medication at the same time as the rest of your supplies, this is the one for you.
| What we Love… | What We Don’t Love… |
|---|---|
| Super affordable OTC pet meds | Confusing to set up |
| Free shipping on orders over $35 | May need to visit store for some meds (see below) |
| One-stop shopping for everything from pet supplies to groceries | |
Who are they? Walmart is one of America’s largest supermarket retailers known for their reasonable prices. They were founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and branched out into the online pet pharmacy world in 2019.
What makes them unique: Walmart carries supplies for every area of your life and their pet supply section is no exception, carrying over 3,000 items in stock for dogs, cats, fish, birds, horses, and other farm animals, including medication, all for a good price.
What we like: Walmart is known for their great deals and offers, and the pharmacy provides free shipping on orders over $35, with a 5% discount on auto-ship orders. Prescription orders come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and swift delivery.
What to consider: Walmart is a supermarket, not a pet specialist, so while they offer thousands of products, their website has a lot fewer search filters, making it a little more difficult to find exactly what you need.
Plus, it seems that they’ve shut down their old website, WalmartPetRx.com (so if you see a blank page there, it’s not just you). The current link includes the word “interim” in it, so it’s entirely possible that they’re working on something new. We’ll keep you updated.
Cost Comparison of Common Pet Meds at Each Pharmacy
Let’s finish this off with a side-by-side look at how much some of the most common dog medications will run you at each online pet pharmacy. Here’s what I compared:
- Apoquel 3.6 mg (used to treat itching and other allergy symptoms in dogs)
- Rimadyl 25 mg (used to treat joint pain and arthritis in dogs)
- Bravecto for dogs under 10 lbs (in the light orange box)
- HeartGuard Plus for dogs up to 25 lbs, 6-pack (for heartworm prevention)
The prices below are, of course, subject to change at any time. Depending on coupons, sales, rewards cards, etc, you may actually pay less. But this should give you a general idea of what to expect.
FAQs
How do online pet pharmacies work?
Online pet pharmacies work the same way as online pharmacies for humans. You can order any over-the-counter medication you want straight to your home, as well as prescription medications. To prove your dog’s prescription, you may have to upload a photo of it and/or give your vet’s info so that it can be verified.
What can you order from online pet pharmacies?
You can typically order over-the-counter medications like flea and tick treatments, deworming medications, and antihistamines, as well as prescription medications like antibiotics and oftentimes holistic products, supplements, and everyday supplies like food and shampoo.
Are online pet pharmacies safe?
Licensed and accredited online pet pharmacies are perfectly safe, but you must stick to recognized pharmaceutical websites. Never buy medication from third-party sellers and if your pet’s medication arrives damaged or opened, throw it away.
How do you know if an online pet pharmacy is real?
Real online vet pharmacies will be accredited and licensed. If you’re unsure, ask your vet for their recommendation or anyone you know who uses one. Alternatively, you can use our list or do further online research to see what other trusted websites & pet parents suggest.
Is it cheaper to buy dog prescriptions online?
It’s not always cheaper to order your dog’s prescriptions online, but it often is. Most online pet pharmacies have sales and deals periodically and offer some kind of discount if you order products like flea preventatives on auto-ship.
Can I get pet meds without a vet prescription?
No, you cannot order prescription medication for your dog without a prescription from a vet.
Can I get a vet prescription online?
Some regular vet offices have options for virtual consultations, especially since the pandemic, but there are also online vet services that offer exclusively online appointments and prescribe medications over the internet.
While this is convenient, we recommend still visiting your in-person vet for annual check-ups and always using an in-person vet when your dog requires an examination or testing. If you are going to use an online vet, make sure they’re licensed and accredited and research recommendations online.
Does GoodRx work for animal prescriptions?
Yes! GoodRx, the popular coupon and price comparison site for human pharmaceuticals, now works for many pet prescriptions, too.
Final Recommendation: What is the BEST Online Pet Pharmacy?
If you’re looking for an online pharmacy for your dog’s medication, all of our top picks above are awesome (otherwise they wouldn’t be our top picks, right?). But which is the MOST awesome? That depends! Let me break it down for you a bit to help you decide:
- JUST looking for affordable prescriptions and don’t need a bunch of other stuff? Go with 1800PetMeds.
- Shopping mostly for meds, but also maybe a bag of dog treats or a new toy? Entirely Pets is a great option.
- Need heartworm meds for Fido & Fluffy, dog food, kitty litter, toys, feed for your chickens, and bedding for your iguana? Go with Chewy.
I hope you found this helpful! If you’ve used any of these pharmacies above, let us know in the comments.
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