Who's better?

Allivet vs Petco

We've analyzed the best Pet Med Stores to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2026 Pet Med Store Reviews

Here you can see how Allivet and Petco match up head-to-head in a battle for the Best Pet Med Stores in 2026.

Winner

Allivet

  • Ongoing prescription food costs: $32.99 to $72.99
  • One-time prescription topical costs: around $54.99
  • Elderly pet prescription costs: $0.13 to $1.61 per tablet

Allivet is a solid choice for pet owners who only need prescription medications, offering a straightforward ordering process and direct vet communication for hassle-free refills. With competitive pricing and discounts for auto-ship orders, it's a convenient option, though it lacks a wider selection of general pet care products. However, recent shipping issues have raised concerns for pets with critical medical needs, earning Allivet a middle-tier rating in our review.

Petco

  • Ongoing prescription food costs: $32.99 to $65.99
  • One-time prescription topical costs: around $65.89
  • Elderly pet prescription costs: $1.37 to $3.67 per tablet

Petco is a well-known pet retailer that offers everything from food and toys to an online pet pharmacy for dogs, cats, and even horses. While the pharmacy is convenient, its selection is somewhat limited, and navigating the site isn't as intuitive unless you use the search bar. Though Petco's prescription service is reliable and offers discounts through autoship, its overall reputation suffers due to poor reviews, giving it a lower ranking on our list.

We all want our furry family members to stay happy, healthy, and comfortable. But mishaps happen - a curious cat gulps something off-limits or a new pup picks up an ear infection - and suddenly medication becomes part of doing right by them. When that happens, you're after a reliable, vet-approved place to get pet meds without blowing the budget, whether your companion is a senior or a playful youngster. It helps to find a source that makes refills easy, ships fast, and lays out costs clearly, so you can focus on helping your pet feel better.

Pet medications span a lot of ground, from prescription diets to ear creams - and even insulin for diabetic pets. Research shows the most common conditions in dogs and cats are diabetes, cancer, and viral infections, and many of these can be managed with vet-prescribed foods, pain relievers, and health-boosting mix-ins. It's also crucial to follow your vet's guidance on dosing and timing, since early, consistent treatment can make a big difference in your pet's recovery.

As pets get older, issues like kidney problems can crop up, and many are manageable with targeted diets and supplements, sometimes alongside medication. In one veterinary clinic study, researchers found that about 75% of dogs had at least one condition that could be treated with pet meds. That doesn't mean your pet will experience these challenges, but it does show how common manageable conditions are - and why it's helpful to know where to turn for care. Staying proactive with regular checkups and a plan tailored to your furry family member can catch small problems early so they get the best support now and in the years ahead.

From big-box pet superstores to digital pharmacies, there are plenty of ways to get your pet's meds. If you like browsing in person, local shops make it simple; if you want set-it-and-forget-it convenience, online sellers let you put long-term prescriptions on autoship. These options cover animals of every shape, size, and species - yes, we checked - even wild ones have prescription meds. Whether you've got a cat, dog, bird, chicken, or hamster, there's a vet who knows what to prescribe and a retailer ready to deliver it. Many retailers now sync with your vet to confirm prescriptions and send handy refill reminders. And for quick questions, some online pharmacies even throw in extras like virtual vet appointments for simple check-ins.

Few things feel worse than realizing your pet isn't doing well, but the right medications can help them feel like themselves again. These days, it's not just your vet - countless websites and brick-and-mortar stores carry vet-approved medications alongside over-the-counter staples like flea-and-tick treatments and dewormers. With so many choices, it's easy to feel unsure about where to buy. To simplify the decision, look for licensed pharmacies, transparent pricing, and responsive customer support so you know you're getting safe, reliable care.

To make sure you find the best retailer to get your pet meds (or prescription food), we've put together some factors to help you make the best decision for your four-legged family members:

To help you find the right place to support your pet's health, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the most popular retailers for pet meds out there today. This way you can focus on playing with your four-legged friend rather than stressing about where to buy what you need to keep them healthy!

Slide Down Image Left Slide Image FAQ Image Slide Image Twirl Image

Pet Med Store FAQ

What does it mean to be pharmacy verified? How do I know if a company is verified?
To be pharmacy verified, means that medication is authentic and that the products have not been counterfeited. When checking to see if the company reviewed has been pharmacy verified, check in the features section of each review to identify if a company is verified or not.
How do I send prescriptions to the company?
You do not have to send the prescription directly to the company, the veterinarian's office will do that for you. When checking out, most companies will even confirm your prescription directly with the veterinarian to make sure you are ordering the correct medicine.
How long does it take to receive my pets medicine?
On average it can take anywhere from 2 to 7 business days to arrive at your door. Some companies offer expedited shipping for an additional charge.
Is there auto-delivery for my monthly medications?
Yes, several companies, have the option to set up the medication to be auto delivered monthly. Even better, some companies provide a discount on auto-ship orders.
Is this cheaper than getting my animals medicine at the veterinarians' office?
Veterinarians can upcharge up to 100% of the initial wholesale cost and then add on expensive dispensing fees. Ordering your prescription online allows the customer to purchase medicine at competitive prices. We recommend ordering your medicine online if you are wanting to save money and time.
Can the pet meds be delivered nationwide?
Of course, pet medication can be shipped nationwide. Larger companies have distribution companies around the nation that allow fast and easy delivery in 1 to 2-days.
Is there a shipping cost?
Nope, most companies offer free shipping on orders over $48+. Some companies offer faster shipping options for an additional cost.
Can I get medicine for any kind of pet? Are there any restrictions?
Yes, from your fluffy pooch to scaly reptile, your pet can receive medication from the click of your finger. For more exotic animals, we recommend looking at the reviews and features that mention exotic pets to find the right pharmacy.

Compare Any 2 Products

Chewy
Pet Care RX
PetMeds
GoodRx
Allivet
PetSmart
Petco
VetRxDirect
Walmart
Entirely Pets
vs
Chewy vs Pet Care RXChewy vs PetMedsChewy vs GoodRxChewy vs AllivetChewy vs PetSmartChewy vs PetcoChewy vs VetRxDirectChewy vs WalmartChewy vs Entirely PetsPet Care RX vs PetMedsPet Care RX vs GoodRxPet Care RX vs AllivetPet Care RX vs PetSmartPet Care RX vs PetcoPet Care RX vs VetRxDirectPet Care RX vs WalmartPet Care RX vs Entirely PetsPetMeds vs GoodRxPetMeds vs AllivetPetMeds vs PetSmartPetMeds vs PetcoPetMeds vs VetRxDirectPetMeds vs WalmartPetMeds vs Entirely PetsGoodRx vs AllivetGoodRx vs PetSmartGoodRx vs PetcoGoodRx vs VetRxDirectGoodRx vs WalmartGoodRx vs Entirely PetsAllivet vs PetSmartAllivet vs PetcoAllivet vs VetRxDirectAllivet vs WalmartAllivet vs Entirely PetsPetSmart vs PetcoPetSmart vs VetRxDirectPetSmart vs WalmartPetSmart vs Entirely PetsPetco vs VetRxDirectPetco vs WalmartPetco vs Entirely PetsVetRxDirect vs WalmartVetRxDirect vs Entirely PetsWalmart vs Entirely Pets Entirely Pets vs WalmartEntirely Pets vs VetRxDirectEntirely Pets vs PetcoEntirely Pets vs PetSmartEntirely Pets vs AllivetEntirely Pets vs GoodRxEntirely Pets vs PetMedsEntirely Pets vs Pet Care RXEntirely Pets vs ChewyWalmart vs VetRxDirectWalmart vs PetcoWalmart vs PetSmartWalmart vs AllivetWalmart vs GoodRxWalmart vs PetMedsWalmart vs Pet Care RXWalmart vs ChewyVetRxDirect vs PetcoVetRxDirect vs PetSmartVetRxDirect vs AllivetVetRxDirect vs GoodRxVetRxDirect vs PetMedsVetRxDirect vs Pet Care RXVetRxDirect vs ChewyPetco vs PetSmartPetco vs AllivetPetco vs GoodRxPetco vs PetMedsPetco vs Pet Care RXPetco vs ChewyPetSmart vs AllivetPetSmart vs GoodRxPetSmart vs PetMedsPetSmart vs Pet Care RXPetSmart vs ChewyAllivet vs GoodRxAllivet vs PetMedsAllivet vs Pet Care RXAllivet vs ChewyGoodRx vs PetMedsGoodRx vs Pet Care RXGoodRx vs ChewyPetMeds vs Pet Care RXPetMeds vs ChewyPet Care RX vs Chewy
See the Best Pet Med Stores in Your State
Only the Best Reviews

Business Insider

PetMed Express, Inc. Appoints Former Deloitte Partner James LaCamp as ...

Seasoned corporate director brings extensive expertise in audit, accounting, and internal controls Fourth independent director to join the board since 2024 DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE ...

Mon, 20 Oct 2025

Only the Best Reviews

Law

Whistleblower Complaint Leads to Awkward Disclosure for PetMed Express

Whether a whistleblower tip is credible or not, public disclosure can batter a company's stock price and send shareholder fraud plaintiffs' attorneys into a piranha-like frenzy. Ideally for in-house ...

Thu, 03 Jul 2025

Only the Best Reviews

Seeking Alpha

PetMeds Announces Holiday Collection: Wellness-Focused Gifts for Pets ...

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PetMed Express, Inc. (PETS), d/b/a PetMeds and parent company of PetCareRx, (Nasdaq: PETS) (the “Company”), today unveiled its new Holiday ...

Wed, 10 Dec 2025

Only the Best Reviews

Nasdaq

PetMed Express, Inc. Partners with Dutch to Enhance Access to Virtual ...

PetMed Express, Inc., the parent company of PetMeds and PetCareRx, has announced a strategic partnership with Dutch, a virtual veterinary care provider, to enhance access to affordable pet healthcare.

Wed, 07 May 2025

Only the Best Reviews

Benzinga.com

PetMeds Barking Up The Right Tree?

) is a company that offers pet care products through the mail. They offer ordering through 1-800-PetMeds, the website 1800petmeds.com and direct through the mail. They offer products ranging from pet ...

Wed, 13 Jul 2011

Only the Best Reviews

Nasdaq

PetMed Express Reports Strong Profit Growth in Q2

Petmed Express ( (PETS)) has released its Q2 earnings. Here is a breakdown of the information Petmed Express presented to its investors. PetMed Express, Inc., operating as PetMeds, is a leading ...

Tue, 05 Nov 2024

Top Products.  

Top Reviews.  

Top Consumer Reviews.

Reviews 

Browse through thousands of reviews.

Social Media 

Like us?  Follow us!  We'd love to have you join our community.

Newsletter 

Stay up to date with the latest reviews. We'll keep you informed, and we'll never sell your information to anyone.