Over the last few decades, access to prescriptions has become increasingly easier for pet parents. In 1996, 1-800-PetMeds became the first online pet prescription retailer. Since then, the industry has been flooded with alternatives.
With the advent of people being able to buy everything from groceries to cars online, the convenience of getting what you need without having to step foot in a pet store or veterinary clinic is an obvious benefit for consumers (and pet parents).
In this article, we'll cover the truth about buying your pet's prescriptions online including:
- If it's safe to buy pet meds online
- How to tell if your online pet pharmacy is legit
- How online pet medications work
- The types of pet medications you can buy online
Is it safe to buy pet meds online
For more than 20 years, online pet pharmacies have made finding pet medications easier for pet parents. Online pharmacies are increasingly common, but not every pet pharmacy is created equally.
How do I know if my online pet pharmacy is legit
When buying pet medications, it's important to find a trusted pharmacy. Here's a simple acronym (PETS) to help you remember the factors that make a pet pharmacy credible.
Price
Overall, the price of your pet's medications should be similar across sellers. If the website offers extremely low or extremely high prices for your pet's prescriptions consider buying elsewhere.
Efficacy
The majority of pet medications are vet-formulated and regulated by the FDA. If your pharmacy offers products that do not have this seal of approval, consult with your vet.
Time
Despite being a convenient way to get the things your cats and dogs need, it does take a little bit of time to process prescriptions. This is because the online sellers need to receive the Rx from your veterinarian before they can send it to you.
If the company sells or delivers a prescription without this step, proceed with caution.
Secure
Most online pharmacies have password-protected portals that require you to create an account to:
- Purchase medications
- Request an Rx from your vet
- Access your orders
- Order refills
If the website you're buying from does not provide a way to secure your information, consider finding another pet pharmacy.
How do online pet medication sellers work
There are many methods for buying prescriptions online. Typically, the pharmacies follow these steps:
- A pet parent will search and add a prescription to their cart
- At checkout, they are prompted for payment
- This will automate a notification to get the prescription approved
- A veterinarian is notified and asked to fill the prescription
- Once approved, the order is shipped to the pet parent
What types of pet meds can I get online
From dealing with skin irritation and pain to weight management, there are a lot of medications available to help dogs and cats stay healthy.
1. NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)
When you've exhausted all over-the-counter options and your pet is still dealing with pain, you may need prescription-strength pain meds. These are some options pet parents can gain access to through their pet pharmacy:
- Rimadyl
- Carprofen
- Galliprant
- Meloxicam
2. Heartworm prevention
Heartworm disease is a serious issue for dogs and cats alike. Some forms of flea, tick, and heartworm prevention available online include:
- Heartgard Plus
- Tri-Heart Plus
- Trifexis
- Interceptor
3. Anxiety medications
Anxious animals (and pet parents) have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many pet parents need anxiety medications to help their furry best friends. Most pet pharmacies carry:
- Alprazolam
- Trazodone
- Fluoxetine
- Amitriptyline
4. Allergy meds
When over-the-counter allergy remedies aren't cutting it, your dog or cat may need prescription-strength medications. Here are some popular prescription allergy meds:
- Apoquel
- Cytopoint
- Prednisone
- Chlorpheniramine
Beyond monthly flea and tick prevention, your pets may need regular medications to stay happy and healthy. The bottom line is online pet pharmacies are a great option for pet parents. But, always remember to do your research and ask your vet before committing to a company.