The Best Pet Med Stores

Sunday, March 23rd

2025 Pet Med Store Reviews

Chewy

• Ongoing prescription food costs: $32.99 to $65.99
• One-time prescription topical costs: around $54.99
• Elderly pet prescription costs: $0.11 to $1.49 per tablet
• Rx and over-the-counter products
• Requires proof of prescription
• Up to 35% off with autoship
• Serves dogs, cats, horses, exotics, reptiles, wild animals, and more
• 24/7 customer service and free chat consults with vets and vet techs
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

Chewy is a rapidly growing online platform for pet supplies of all kinds. It has over 10 years of experience taking care of your furry family members with fulfillment centers spread across the US. Chewy offers an impressive selection of pet meds both prescription and over-the-counter. Plus, it serves tons of different animal friends. Whether you're looking for help with a furbaby, a feathery family member, or something more scaly and exotic, Chewy has your back. One of Chewy's best advantages is it partners directly with medication suppliers, so you get exactly what your vet asks for every time.

One-stop shop with easy browsing

Browsing on Chewy is a breeze. You can shop for pet meds by pet type including dogs, cats, horses, chickens, wild birds/wildlife, small pets, pet birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. You can also hop right over to the pharmacy where you can select from cat, dog, horse, and exotic pharmacy needs. If you know the name of your prescription, you can easily search the exact medication in the top bar to find your prescribed pet meds right away. Plus, if you're interested in other items, grab a full range of non-Rx pet care like cat litter, pet beds, dog crates, non-medicated foods, and more, It's a complete one-stop shop for your entire non-human family.

Create a pet profile for prescriptions

To get prescription medication through Chewy, you'll need to show proof of a prescription from your vet. You'll do this by making an account with Chewy and creating a profile for your pet. Make sure that your pet's name matches the name you give your vet (so if you nickname your pet silly things like we do, make sure the pet's "legal” name is the same at the vet and on Chewy). From there, you'll add your pet to the "details” section during checkout and list the vet who gave you the prescription, and Chewy will send a request for the prescription to be verified. Once they get the all-clear from the doctor, your shipment will go out right away,

Lower costs for larger-sized packs

To compare the cost of pet meds across each retailer, we checked out identical products at each one. We focused on three key items: a prescription food (Purina Pro Plan Kidney Function for adult cats) that you need to order regularly, a single-use treatment (Barrier Topical Solution flea medication for dogs), and a general price range for tablets designed to help aging pets with conditions like arthritis. After our research, here's what we found at Chewy:

• Purina Pro Plan Kidney: $32.99 to $65.99 (depending on size)
• Barrier Topical Solution: $54.99
• Arthritis care across all animals: $0.11 to $1.49 per tablet

Notably, the larger sizes were less costly at Chewy than at competitors who sold the same 8lb bags, and the tablets for arthritis had options at lower costs than some retailers.

Up to 35% off first autoship order

If you're looking for discounts at Chewy, you're in luck. Your first order with autoship can score you up to 35% off the total cost. On future orders, you'll earn 5% off every shipment. And for new shoppers, Chewy offers a $20 eGiftcard if you spend $49 or more on your first purchase. On top of those deals, Chewy will send you free trial sizes for pet supplements if you want some over-the-counter products to support your pet on top of their pet meds.

Get virtual vet appointments

Chewy also offers some extras like the option to help you grab CarePlus Insurance if you're looking to add an insurance plan to your pet care routine. The site also offers free live chat with a vet online which includes messages, pictures, and videos. You'll talk to a real vet or vet tech who can answer questions about concerns with your pet in real-time. Chewy also offers a virtual call for $19.99 if you need more in-depth assistance.

Free shipping and 100% satisfaction guarantee

Shipping from Chewy is free on any order over $49. This doesn't require any autoship, and it counts for pet supplies and Rx medications. If you don't quite make that threshold, flat-rate shipping is $4.95. If you have specialized items that need to be refrigerated (like pet insulin), Chewy will ship those items separately with an expedited shipping plan to make sure they come cold or still frozen as the products require.

Refunds in 365 days

Chewy also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You have 365 days to return your purchase for free. While this doesn't apply for Rx medications by law, any of the other pet supplies or over-the-counter items are eligible for a return. If your medication comes incorrect or damaged, Chewy will exchange it or provide a refund depending on the case.

Top-notch customer service

Chewy has a stellar reputation with an "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and it has earned between 3.6 and 4 stars from third-party review sites. Most reviews from 2024 and forward are a full 5 stars, praising the regularity of Chewy's shipments and the reasonable prices for everything from Rx medications to regular shipments of cat litter. Several reviews specifically noted that Chewy's customer service is top-notch. On the rare occasions that customers have problems with their Chewy orders, the customer service team offers quick and reasonable resolutions. Also, customers love that Chewy's customer service is 24/7 in the US, so you can get problems solved even after hours.

Top pick: best one-stop shop

Chewy has rapidly gained recognition as a top choice for pet owners. Carrying pet medications for furry, scaly, or feathery companions, Chewy stands out for its competitive prices, easy-to-use website, and outstanding customer support. One of its biggest perks is a 365-day 100% satisfaction guarantee on all non-prescription items. Plus, with free shipping on purchases over $49 and a flat $4.95 fee for smaller orders, it's a convenient and budget-friendly option, especially if you take advantage of the autoship discounts. Thanks to its impressive selection, excellent policies, and glowing reviews, Chewy easily earns the top spot in our rankings for buying pet meds online.

Pet Care RX

• Ongoing prescription food costs: $38.66 to $75.99
• One-time prescription topical costs: around $64.99
• Elderly pet prescription costs: $0.06 to $1.89 per tablet
• Rx and over-the-counter products
• Requires proof of prescription
• Discounts offered with coupon codes
• Yearly membership for additional discounts
• Serves dogs and cats
• "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

PetCareRx has been around since 1998 and focuses its business on its "wellness philosophy” which says that every pet deserves love, proper nutrition, protection, and personalized care. The on-staff experts include Dr. Lori Awadalla who is the veterinarian at PetCareRx, Ernest Ezue who is the pharmacy director, and Dr. Joseph J. Wakshlag who is their consulting pet nutritionist. The products and pharmacy at PetCareRx are backed by experts, so you know you're getting top-tier service every time.

Care for dogs and cats

Using the PetCareRx website is straightforward. You can either search by your pet type, by some specific care needs, or browse under the more general "wellness” tab which shows you tips, tricks, and advice for caring for your furry friends. However, there is one drawback: PetCareRx currently only serves dogs and cats. So, if you're looking for pet meds for a large animal, birds, or more exotic four-legged family members, you might be disappointed with PetCareRx. However, you can find a one-stop shop for both prescription medications and general pet care products.

PetCareRx gets the prescription from your vet

If you want to grab pet meds from PetCareRx, you'll need to make an account before you buy. You'll be asked to create an email and password, provide your shipping information, and fill out your payment details. Then, you will put in the details for your pet and select your vet. If you already have an account with PetCareRx, your details will be available in a drop-down menu during the checkout process. So, if you have multiple pets (or have seen multiple veterinarians, you can select from the saved details from past orders). PetCareRx will then retrieve the prescription details from your vet, and you're good to go.

Lower costs for tablets

To get a clear comparison of pet meds across different retailers, we checked out the prices of the same products at each store. We specifically looked at three important items: a prescription diet (Purina Pro Plan Kidney Function for adult cats) that needs to be reordered regularly, a one-time-use treatment (Barrier Topical Solution flea medication for dogs), and a general cost range for tablets aimed at easing arthritis and other age-related pain in pets. However, PetCareRx did not have the Barrier Topical Solution, so we had to use a similar flea treatment (Bravecto Topical Solution) instead. Here's what we found for PetCareRx:

• Purina Pro Plan Kidney: $38.66 to $75.99 (depending on size)
• Bravecto Topical Solution: $64.99
• Arthritis care across all animals: $0.06 to $1.89 per tablet

Coupon code discounts regularly offered

Our research showed that there wasn't a specific discount for autoship with PetCareRx. You can score seasonal discounts from time to time, though, to help keep costs down. At the time of our review, there was an offer for 25% off certain items with a coupon code. You can also expect to get free shipping on all orders over $48. If your shipment is under that threshold, the standard shipping fee is $5.99.

Yearly membership for additional discounts

If you want additional discounts at PetCareRx, you can sign up for their PetPlus membership. This starts at $139.95 per year. The membership will get you up to 40% off the entire list of products at PetCareRx and free shipping no matter what you buy or how much you spend. You also get access to 24/7 online virtual vet appointments if you have an urgent question only a professional can answer.

Top-quality customer service

PetCareRx has a stellar reputation across the board. According to the Better Business Bureau, PetCareRx holds an "A+” rating and accreditation. On third-party review sites like Trustpilot, it shows an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Notably, this is an even higher rating than it was a few years ago, showing that PetCareRx's quality of service keeps improving. Customers love all aspects of this service. Multiple reviews name specific vets and customer service team members from PetCareRx in their reviews. Our research showed particular praise for the quality of the medications, the professional and courteous behavior of the staff, and impressive shipping with reliable delivery.

Rated for best customer service

With impressive customer service, a full pharmacy, and a simple process for getting your prescriptions taken care of through PetCareRx, this pet meds retailer is a favorite with customers across the board. The only downsides? There isn't much in the way of discounts for autoship as we've seen at other retailers, and PetCareRx only serves dogs and cats. On the either hand, with top marks for customer service, you know that if you ever have a question, PetCareRx's representatives will be there to help you. With competitive prices and a solid reputation, PetCareRx earns a very high rating in our review.

PetMeds

• Ongoing prescription food costs: $32.99 to $65.99
• One-time prescription topical costs: around $64.99
• Elderly pet prescription costs: $0.21 to $1.03 per tablet
• Rx and over-the-counter products
• Requires proof of prescription
• Discounts offered with autoship
• Serves dogs, cats, and horses
• 365-day refund policy
• "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

PetMeds is a trusted name in the pet pharmacy business since it's been around for over 20 years. You might remember its former name from TV commercials when they advertised as 1-800-PetMeds. Currently licensed in all 50 states, this pet retailer focuses mainly on Rx medications, though it does carry a limited selection of other pet necessities like grooming tools or non-Rx pet food. One thing to keep in mind is that PetMeds only offers prescription medications for cats, dogs, and horses, so if you have a bird, an exotic pet, or a small animal (like a ferret or a hamster), you might be out of luck.

Easy to browse the selection of meds

PetMeds offers a simple browsing experience. You can begin searching for pet meds by looking at pet type, brand, or condition. You can also find shopping tabs for food (where you can find non-prescription kibbles and wet food), and a range of health resources and articles to help you learn more about pet meds and pet care. If you know the exact name and function of your prescribed pet meds, you can easily find them with the search bar at the top of the screen.

PetMeds talks to your vet for you

Any items that require a prescription will have a little green icon on the top left corner of the product listing with the "Rx” symbol. When you purchase an item that requires a prescription, you'll need to go through the process of creating an account with PetMeds, filling in your shipping and delivery preferences, and completing your payment details before you get to the prescription part of checkout. At that point, you'll be able to put in your pet's details as well as the vet clinic you got your prescription from. PetMeds will handle getting the confirmation from your vet and let you know when your pet meds are ready to ship.

Cost comparison

To accurately compare prices across different pet meds retailers, we examined identical products on each site to see how they stacked up. We focused on three essential items: a prescription food (Purina Pro Plan Kidney Function for adult cats) that needs to be purchased regularly, a single-use treatment (Barrier Topical Solution flea medication for dogs), and a general price range for tablets for arthritis symptoms in older pets. However, since PetMeds didn't have the normal flea treatment, we checked pricing for the similar Bravecto Topical Solution instead. Here's what we found at PetMeds:

• Purina Pro Plan Kidney: $32.99 to $65.99 (depending on size)
• Bravecto Topical Solution: $64.99
• Arthritis care across all animals: $0.21 to $1.03 per tablet

Up to 40% off your first autoship

At PetMeds you can expect solid discounts with autoship. Your first autoship order will be up to 40% off the total. On future orders, you can expect to get 5% off your total. You can also score free shipping on any order over $49. Orders under that threshold will cost a standard rate of $6.99 for 2-3 business day shipping.

365-day refund policy

PetMeds offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You can return any qualifying purchase (not your pet's Rx medications) for store credit or refund. You have a full 365 days to make your returns. So if you aren't satisfied with your over-the-counter medications or pet supplies, you can return your purchase for free. You have up to 90 days to get a full refund for your method of purchase, and if you want to make a return or get a refund after that point, you can expect store credit instead.

High praise for service reps

PetMeds has a stellar reputation across the board. According to the Better Business Bureau, this retailer holds a full "A+” rating and accreditation. On other third-party review sites, PetMeds is just as popular. It holds a 4.3-star average rating on Trustpilot with ratings that show a full 5 stars on 73% of all reviews. Customers frequently praise the customer service reps at PetMeds. Almost all of the 5-star reviews since 2025 offer praise for individual service reps by name. However, there were a few recent reviews that complained about issues with expedited shipping not arriving when promised. As this can be crucial for animals with serious illnesses, it might be something to keep in mind.

Focused on Rx and customer service

PetMeds is a strong contender if you have a cat, dog, or horse. It shows impressive quality ratings and offers a wide range of Rx products to support your furry family members. PetMeds also has competitive pricing, great discounts on its autoship feature, and a solid refund policy. Only the concerns about expedited shipping keep it from being our second-place pick. However, it remains an impressive site for caring for your pets, earning a strong score in our review.

GoodRx

• Discount service
• Savings up to $100 off
• Rx medications
• Usable for people and pets
• Relies on your vet to send prescriptions to third parties
• "A” rating and accreditation from the BBB

GoodRx is slightly different from other platforms in our review. Rather than being a retailer for pet meds, GoodRx is actually a free-to-use database that tracks prescription medications in the US and offers coupons and discounts. It is often used as an alternative for insurance, and offers discounts both for human prescriptions as well as pets, GoodRx allows you to look at prices across a range of different retailers and find the most cost-effective pet meds for your furry friend's particular case.

Difficult to find your meds

You can start your GoodRx shopping experience by looking at popular medications that have been searched recently or browsing by local retailers near you (suggested by GoodRx). In our area, we were suggested prices from CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Target. The easiest way to find what you need is to search for the prescription that you want. The only downside? You're going to need to know the exact name of the medication (either the name brand or generic). However, many of the medicated pet foods (like Purina Pro Plan) aren't included with GoodRx. You'll find things more like Gabapentin which is a generic brand of painkiller often used for animals. You may also struggle to find even common medications like "insulin” because searching that term will show insulin options for humans as well as animals without much clarification on which insulin is for who. You would need to know the pet insulin brand (which should be on your prescription from the vet) like Novolin N to get your pet's insulin.

No purchases through GoodRx

Now, you can't actually buy anything through GoodRx. You'll get a coupon for the medication and take it to your local pharmacy where you've had the prescription sent by your vet. So, GoodRx doesn't actually handle the prescription process for you. You're just using it as a coupon service to bring down the final cost of a prescription that's already been sent in for pickup.

Impressive discounts across available meds

Because many of the pet meds that we use in our cost comparison aren't offered with the GoodRx coupons, we were unable to do the exact same products as with traditional retailers. However, we can showcase the prices for different pet products compared to the discount offered by GoodRx. For example, pet insulin (Novolin N) retails around $65.69. Using a GoodRx coupon will bring that cost down to $57.53. Similarly, a bottle of Gabapentin (used to treat pain and arthritis) generally retails at $55 per bottle (notably, the cost isn't split up per tablet on GoodRx as it is at pet retailers). With the GoodRx coupon this same bottle costs just $16.91. So, you can get some impressive savings depending on what you're buying.

Great for pets and people

GoodRx is worth checking out regardless of what you're buying for your pet since it can be used on human medications as well. It's a great way to save and offers a one-stop shop approach that's totally free to use. You don't need to pay for a membership to get the benefits. You'll even get a GoodRx card to use for future purchases.

High praise for savings

GoodRx holds an "A” rating and accreditation by the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, it currently holds a 4.4-star average rating out of 5 on Trustpilot with nearly 80% of all reviews rated at a full 5 stars. Customers love how easy it is to use and save with GoodRx. Many saved over $100 on purchases that would be too expensive for ongoing medical care. Some even said the cost of medications using GoodRx was lower than using insurance, Now, most of the reviews are for GoodRx on medications for people, but the cost differences we saw for the available pet meds were impressive.

Great spot for extra savings

While this isn't going to be everyone's top pick, GoodRx has a great platform that can help you save some extra cash when you do need expensive pet meds. Although it doesn't have many prescription pet foods or any kind of pet store finds (like litter or pet beds) you can get great deals on things like insulin for diabetic pets or painkillers. So, if you need to get those items anyway, you should definitely head over to GoodRx to see if you can use one of its coupons to get a better deal. It won't work for every pet prescription you have, but for the ones that are covered through GoodRx, you can expect some serious savings,

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
• Focuses on Rx medications
• Requires proof of prescription
• Up to 40% off with autoship
• Serves dogs, cats, horses, livestock, and birds
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

Allivet is a pet pharmacy based in sunny Florida, and it has been around since the early 1990s. Known for their offerings of pet meds, and a focus on prescriptions, Allivet isn't the ideal solution for those looking for a one-stop shop for pet care. You won't find much in the way of basic pet supplies like dog beds here: there are a few items, but most of the products are Rx. Instead, you'll find plenty of prescription medications for concerns like dental care, dewormers, diet food, ear care, eye care, joint care, and allergies among others.

Search by pet or by name-brand

Shopping with Allivet is pretty simple. You can find the medications either by shopping through the top menu and choosing your preferred pet from dog, cat, horse, livestock, or bird. Or, you can search for a particular item using the search bar. When you go to order an item, you'll be asked to select a size (if there are size options) and choose between a one-time purchase or autoship. Finally, once you've figured out your shipping and payment, you'll insert the information of your pet and the details of the vet clinic before you can submit your order.

Three ways to get your prescription in

Allivet offers multiple ways to fill prescriptions, including direct vet submissions (where your vet sends in the details) or having Allivet contact the vet for you before your order is completed. This is the method used by most people. You can also mail the prescription to Allivet if you have a paper copy. To keep you in the loop, you will receive live updates until your pet meds ship.

Mid-tier costs across the site

To compare costs among different retailers, we looked at the same items at each location. First, we looked at a recurring medication (Purina Pro Plan Kidney Function food for adult cats), a one-time medication (Barrier Topical Solution flea medication for dogs), and the cost range for a tablet painkiller for arthritis care (all animals). Here's what we found at Allivet:

• Purina Pro Plan Kidney: $32.99 to $72.99 (depending on size)
• Barrier Topical Solution: $54.99
• Arthritis care across all animals: $0.13 to $1.61 per tablet for medications

Up to 40% off with autoship

There are plenty of savings offered by Allivet. First, if you are purchasing pet meds for long-term care, you can score a hefty discount with autoship. The total amount changes depending on the item you purchase, but we saw autoship savings anywhere between 20%-40% off your first shipment. After that, Allivet promises a 5% shipping discount on subsequent orders. This retailer also offers free shipping on orders over $30 when you subscribe to auto-ship. If you don't want to subscribe, you can also score free shipping on orders over $49, but this may not apply to every medication.

100% satisfaction guarantee for non-Rx

Allivet promises a 100% satisfaction guarantee. This guarantee covers 30 days, so you can check the items you ordered for accuracy, color, quality, and size to make sure it's all right for your four-legged family member. However, prescription medications are not returnable. This is a federal regulation, which will apply to any pharmacy. So, you can only apply the return/refund policy to any non-Rx items sold at Allivet.

Recent shipping snafus are a problem

According to our research, Allivet has an "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. On third-party review sites, the feedback is a little more balanced but still impressive overall. On Trustpilot, Allivet holds a 3.8-star rating out of 5. Customers praise Allivet for its timely deliveries and excellent customer service. However, recent reviews complain about missing and late shipments that left animals who needed medication regularly without their medicines. This is most concerning for those who need to regularly treat their pets, like those with diabetes or ongoing kidney care.

Good if Rx is all you need

While Allivet is a great spot if you need Rx pet meds and it has competitive costs, the reviews leave us with a few questions about the reliability of shipping. For pets who are on a strict medical regimen, shipping timelines are extremely important for their health and wellness. Considering, too, that Allivet does not offer much in the way of a pet one-stop shop since the focus is almost entirely on Rx meds, you may find yourself shopping for pet basics at other stores. For this reason, it earns a more middle-of-the-road rating in our review.

PetSmart

• Ongoing prescription food costs: $65.99
• One-time prescription topical costs: around $54.99
• Elderly pet prescription costs: $0.09 to $4.19 per tablet
• Rx and over-the-counter products
• Requires proof of prescription
• Discounts offered with autoship
• Serves dogs, cats, and horses
• 60-day refund policy
• "A-” rating and accreditation from the BBB

PetSmart is a well-known brick-and-mortar store that is popular for its all-in-one approach to pet supplies. On top of offering products for almost any pet need (food, litter, toys, treats, and even items for exotic pets like lizards and fish), PetSmart also offers a full online pharmacy. However, if you're expecting the same range of pets in the pharmacy as you can find at the regular PetSmart shopping experience, you may be disappointed since PetSmart only offers meds for dogs, cats, and farm animals.

Harder to browse than dedicated pharmacies

Like some other brick-and-mortar stores that also offer an online pharmacy, PetSmart's pharmacy page is a sub-page of the entire website. So, once you get to the pharmacy, you'll see a long scrolling list of all the medications offered through PetSmart. While there are some filters to help you narrow the field by brand, price, and rating, the only real way to find Rx medications on PetSmart quickly is to use the search bar at the top of the screen. On the bright side, there are plenty of medications to look through, as PetSmart promises over 1,000 different Rx prescriptions.

Get prescription with authorization card

Since PetSmart sells both Rx and over-the-counter items, you'll be able to tell the difference by the blue notice on the listing that says "vet info required”. To check out with a prescribed item, you'll need to sign up for an account with PetSmart. To complete your purchase, you can upload your purchase authorization which is issued by your vet (you can upload a photo file) and it must include the vet clinic name, address, vet name, pet parent name, pet parent address, pet name, item prescribed, and an authorization number. If you don't have this, you can move on and select your pet, and add the vet info manually. Then, PetSmart will check in with your vet for you.

More meds here than at other retailers

To do our cost comparison between the different retailers in our review, we checked the prices of the same products on each website. We specifically looked at three important items: a prescription diet (Purina Pro Plan Kidney Function for adult cats) that requires frequent repurchasing, a one-time treatment (Barrier Topical Solution flea medication for dogs), and a general pricing range for tablets designed to help senior pets manage arthritis symptoms. Here's what we found at PetSmart:

• Purina Pro Plan Kidney: $65.99 (small bag not offered)
• Barrier Topical Solution: $54.99
• Arthritis care across all animals: $0.09 to $4.19 per tablet

Notably, PetSmart has a wider array of meds than many other retailers. However, it is missing some size options for the medicated food.

35% off with the first autoship

There are plenty of opportunities for discounts at PetSmart. Your first autoship will offer a 35% off discount with 5% off every future shipment. At the time of our review, PetSmart also offered a $10 rebate of store points when you spend $50+. Shipping is free on "select orders” of $49 or more, but you have to be a Treats Rewards member for this deal to apply. If you can't score free shipping, standard shipping at PetSmart is $5.99.

In-person services include veterinary

On top of offering the online pharmacy, PetSmart has a range of in-person services you can take advantage of. The stores offer grooming, pet training, pet hotel/boarding, doggie day camp, and on-site veterinary care. So, if you're looking for a place you can drive to locally that will be a 100% one-stop shop, PetSmart is worth a look.

60-day returns with limitations

The return policy if you want to return an online purchase is a little disappointing. If you purchased your pet supplies online, you will get a free return in-store, but you won't be reimbursed for the shipping, delivery fees, gift wrap, or other extra charges that went along with your purchase. Your items must be in the original packaging to qualify for a refund. On the other hand, you can return something you bought in-store without losing out on all the fees for your refund. Your receipt will be valid for 60 days from the day of purchase. So, if you got your item shipped, your return period starts from the day you get your receipt in your email, not the day your item actually arrives.

Concerningly rude customer service

According to the Better Business Bureau, PetSmart is doing a bit better than its brick-and-mortar competitors. PetSmart currently holds an "A-” rating from the BBB. However, on third-party review sites like Trustpilot, the ratings are similar to other "big brands” that have brick-and-mortar locations. PetSmart holds a concerning 1.5-star average out of 5 stars. In general, the complaints seem to be related to the staff and customer service at PetSmart. Customers have complained about the staff being unreliable (canceling or rescheduling in-person appointments) and rude and condescending behavior from staff. However, the reviews from shoppers who bought from PetSmart online were almost all 5 stars. Keep in mind there are different ratings for different PetSmart locations, so you may find that your local PetSmart is much better than the general reviews suggest.

Competitive costs for Rx

PetSmart has a solid Rx inventory and competitive prices for pet meds. If we consider only the pet meds side of the store, it's a solid choice. However, if you're hoping to use your pet meds shop as a one-stop shop for all your pet supplies, you might be disappointed in PetSmart. Given that your refunds are more limited if you order online, you may want to go shop in person, and then you might run into problems with rude customer service. While your local branch might still be worth checking out, if you want a true one-stop shop, check out our top-rated pet meds retailer instead,

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
• Rx and over-the-counter products
• Requires proof of prescription
• Discounts offered with autoship
• One-stop shop for pet services
• Serves dogs, cats, and horses
• 60-day refund policy

For many pet owners, when they think of pet retailers, Petco is one of the first stores that comes to mind. This brick-and-mortar pet powerhouse is one of the most well-known spots to pick up your pet must-haves. Whether you need food, toys, cat litter, hamster cages, or rocks to decorate your fish tank, Petco has it all. Plus, it also provides an online pharmacy where you can order prescription medications. The pet pharmacy with Petco includes care for dogs, cats, and horses.

Somewhat limited shopping for Rx

Shopping on the normal part of the Petco website is simple and easy to manage. However, when you get to the pharmacy side of the site, navigation is a little more limited. Instead of letting you search through normal browsing, you're shown all 422 results for Rx products in one window. You can use filters to sort and narrow down the selection, but if you're looking for something specific, the search bar is going to be the fastest way to get what you need. However, with just over 400 products, you may run into problems finding everything you need at Petco.

Petco will contact your vet

Like other retailers that offer Rx services, Petco will handle getting the prescription for you. During check out, you'll be asked to provide the details of your pet as well as the name of the vet clinic that you got your prescription from. After that, Petco will reach out to the vet for you and confirm the prescription before shipping out your medication, tablets, or food.

Low-cost prescription food

To make it easier to compare the cost of pet meds across various retailers, we found identical products at each store. Our research focused on three key items: a prescription diet (Purina Pro Plan Kidney Function for adult cats) that requires frequent reordering, a single-use flea treatment (Barrier Topical Solution for dogs), and the average price range for tablets to help with arthritis and other joint concerns. However, Petco did not offer the Barrier Topical Solution, so we found another topical solution called Bravecto that was similar. Here's what we found:

• Purina Pro Plan Kidney: $32.99 to $65.99 (depending on size)
• Bravecto Topical Solution: $65.89
• Arthritis care across all animals: $1.37 to $3.67 per tablet

35% off on first autoship

If you want to get discounts at Petco, subscribing to their Repeat Delivery (autoship) program is the best way to do it. You can get 35% off your first order on autoship, and all future orders will offer 5% off every time your pet meds ship. Petco also has a lower free shipping threshold than some companies in our review. You only need to spend $35 to qualify.

Everything you need all in one place

On top of providing Rx medications, Petco is a one-stop shop for everything "pets”. You can get dog grooming, self-serve dog washing, dog training, vet services, insurance through Petco, and more. So, if you live near a Petco it may be worth it to check out if your necessary pet meds are offered through this retailer. It can be a very convenient way to grab what you need. Plus, some online items are available for in-store pickup. So, if you don't meet the free shipping threshold for any reason, you can pick up your items in person and skip the shipping fees.

60-day refund policy

Petco offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and offers returns within 60 days of your purchase. You can either return your items to a local Petco location or ship them back to Petco. You will get a refund to your original form of payment within the first 30 days. If you make your return 31-60 days into the refund period, you'll get your refund as store credit instead. Remember, due to FDA regulations, pet meds that are prescription are not able to be returned, so this policy is for the other non-Rx products offered at Petco.

Low ratings for other services

As expected with many large corporations, Petco's reputation is somewhat concerning. Currently, it holds a "C-” rating from the Better Business Bureau, due to the failure to respond to 15 complaints. On third-party review sites like Trustpilot, Petco holds a dismal 1.4 stars out of 5. However, most of the reviews are regarding the in-house services at Petco rather than the Rx prescriptions and pharmacy. Most negative reviews contain complaints about the grooming services. There are a few concerns from customers who paid for same-day shipping and didn't get what they paid for, but all of the recent reviews are complaints regarding grooming. Notably, since Petco has in-person locations, you may find different reviews depending on where you go, so you can find a more popular Petco to do your shopping.

Decent one-stop shop

In terms of pet meds, Petco earns a slightly below-average rating in our review. While most of the complaints for Petco are related to its grooming services and not the pet meds or pharmacy, we'd still feel more confident if Petco had a higher customer rating and a "C-" from the BBB. Plus, with some limitations on the overall selection of pet meds, it falls behind some companies that offer more Rx medications and brands.. However, if you're a fan of shopping in person and you want to get everything done in one place, Petco is still worth a look (you just might want to avoid the grooming services).

VetRxDirect

• One-time prescription topical costs: around $54.99
• Elderly pet prescriptions cost: $4.43 per tablet
• Rx and over-the-counter products
• Requires proof of prescription
• Discounts offered with autoship
• Serves dogs and cats
• 30-day refund policy
• "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

VetRxDirect is a site built by animal lovers and experts in veterinary medicine. Their founder started out as a vet in the Midwest, and now he works to help pet owners find more affordable prescription medication for their furry friends. The online store opened in 2018, though at the moment, the store only offers assistance for dogs and cats. So, if you're looking for horse meds or something for your scaly family members, you're out of luck at VetRxDirect.

Cute and homey site design

If you're wondering what a "homey” website looks like, the one for VetRxDirect is it. Built with cute hand-drawn images of animals, reviews posted that have "Polaroid” photos (drawings of Polaroids that border the images) of pets, and more, you'll get the feeling that VetRxDirect is a comforting place to shop. You can start browsing the "popular pet categories” which include probiotics, thyroid, heart medications, kidney disease, eye care, general nutrition, vitamins, and anal gland supplements. You can also browse the medications by "popular brands”. Otherwise, the best way to find what you need is to pull the name right off your prescription and enter it in the search bar on the top menu.

Prescriptions are less intuitive.

At VetRxDirect, you can't add the products to your cart if you don't have proof of veterinary authorization. This means you'll need to make an account and upload all the required documents before you can begin shopping at all. You'll need to know the vet's name, the clinic name, and the clinic phone number to complete the details. You will need to input your pet's information into the system as well. This is less intuitive than the process offered by other pet meds retailers, even though it's really the same thing.

Missing pet food completely

Completing our usual cost comparison was difficult with VetRxDirect, as the site appears not to offer any prescription foods for dogs and cats. So, we were only able to do our cost comparison with the other two products: flea and tick medication as a one-time purchase (Barrier Topical Solution) and the price range of tablets designed to treat arthritis. However, VetRxDirect also didn't have more than one arthritis medication listed in the usual by-tablet cost. You can only buy them in a 30ct minimum for other brands, which is much different from other retailers. Here's what we found:

• Barrier Topical Solution: $54.99
• Arthritis care across all animals: $4.43 per tablet

Minimal discounts for autoship

You get to save 5% on your first order with autoship when you shop with VetRxDirect. However, the site does not mention if you continue to get this 5% discount on subsequent orders or if the cost of future shipments goes back to full price. VetRxDirect also sends out coupons frequently via email, so you can look there for additional discounts. As an added way to save money, VetRxDirect offers free shipping on orders $59 and up. If you don't qualify, you'll pay $2.75 per pound on any shipment over 8 oz.

Limited 30-day returns

VetRxDirect only allows returns and refunds for over-the-counter products that are in the original packages. If your products fulfill these requirements, you can make a return within 30 days. All returns will have a 10% disposal fee, which can cut into your refund amount depending on how much you spent in the first place. As with all pharmacies, you cannot return prescription medications.

Issues with shipping and refunds

According to our research, VetRxDirect currently holds an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, on other review sites its reputation is about average. On Trustpilot, VetRxDirect has a 3-star rating out of 5. While some customers say that their experience has been "amazing” with service and customer care, others have issues putting through their orders, complain about timelines for rush orders, rejected refunds on incorrect orders, and lost packages. Considering the importance of pet meds to your furry family member's health and well-being, reliable shipping is a must, which knocks VetRxDirect down a few notches in our review.

Missing too much to be competitive

Considering that there are sites out there that offer reliable shipping, and far more options in terms of what you can buy, VetRxDirect isn't a heavy hitter in the pet meds industry yet. While we love the friendly, homey vibe of the site, it misses the mark with its lackluster return policy and the fact that it's completely missing any Rx pet food, which is often essential to treating ongoing issues like pet diabetes, kidney disease, and urinary tract concerns. Depending on your needs for pet meds, you may find yourself searching multiple places instead of sticking with VetRxDirect.

Walmart

• One-time prescription topical costs: around $76.99
• Elderly pet prescriptions cost: $0.15 to $1.61 per tablet
• Rx and over-the-counter products
• Requires proof of prescription
• Serves dogs and cats
• 90-day refund policy
• "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB

Well-known as a giant in the retail world, Walmart is a local spot to look for budget-friendly everything. Whether you need groceries, clothes, tools, car repair, or any number of daily items, Walmart is a great local spot to grab what you need. Plus, you can shop in-store or online, making it as convenient as you need it to be. Walmart also offers a full online pet pharmacy; however, it only offers pet meds for dogs and cats, so exotic pet owners may need to search elsewhere.

Shopping in the pharmacy is clunky

Shopping with Walmart is usually a breeze, but the pet pharmacy section of the site leaves something to be desired. The main page allows you to search for meds alphabetically or by condition. However, there are some notable conditions not included. For example, Walmart's pharmacy doesn't offer kidney care for pets (which is a common ailment for older cats). You can find just over 100 medicines including those for pet allergies, flea and tick medication, heart health, blood pressure, inflammation, arthritis, skin and coat, thyroid, urinary care, and worm prevention. Notably, you can get things like insulin (Novolin N) for pets. In terms of actually finding what you need, the fastest way to get to a specific prescription is to search the name in the search bar.

Verifies the prescription with your vet

On listings that have Rx authorization requirements, you'll see a warning that says you need to have pre-approval from your vet to get your meds. You'll be asked during the checkout process for the contact information of your vet clinic and details about your pet. Walmart will contact your vet after you pay for your order. A notice states that it could take up to 3 days to verify the prescription. If for some reason it can't be verified, the purchase will be voided and your money returned.

Not as cost-effective as competitors

Comparing prices at Walmart was a bit tricky since the site doesn't carry Rx pet food of any kind. Because of this, we could only compare the costs of the other two products that we usually use to gauge the cost-effectiveness of pet meds. At Walmart, we priced out a single-use flea and tick treatment and the general price range for arthritis relief tablets. Regrettably, the flea and tick medication we usually used for comparisons (Barrier Topical Solution) was not offered at Walmart's pet pharmacy. Instead, we used the Bravecto Topical Solution as an alternative. Here's what we found:

• Bravecto Topical Solution: $76.99
• Arthritis care across all animals: $0.15 to $1.61 per tablet

Notably, the flea and tick medication was far more expensive at Walmart than at other retailers (by about $10) that sold the Bravecto version.

Discounts available with Walmart+ membership

Unlike most pet meds retailers in our review, Walmart does not offer discounts if you subscribe and save, and some items like the Bravecto are not available for a subscribe and save schedule. The only benefit is not worrying about reordering items. If you want to qualify for savings like free shipping, you'll need to get a Walmart+ membership. Anyone with a Walmart+ membership gets free shipping, savings on gas, movies, and no order minimums. You can also get access to free online pet care if you have a membership. You can choose to pay $12.95 per month or $98 per year if you decide to subscribe,

90-day refund policy

Walmart has a 90-day return policy that allows you to return most items either in-store, through curbside pickup, or by mail within the time frame. This excludes any Rx medications per FDA regulations, firearms, ammunition, and custom products. Otherwise, getting your refund from Walmart is reliable.

Terrible customer service at the pharmacy

Walmart has a strong score from the Better Business Bureau with an "A+” rating overall. While Walmart doesn't have as impressive of ratings from third-party review sites, this is pretty standard for large corporations. However, we did find one third-party review site that focused specifically on the Walmart Pharmacy. This part of the store earns just 1.6 stars out of 5. Customers had trouble getting questions answered by the pharmacists. They also complained that their insurance didn't cover the prescriptions at Walmart, even when they were covered when ordered from other retailers. Many customers said when they called in, they waited over 30 minutes on hold. This could change from store to store, but the overall experience is one that most customers don't want to repeat.

Store is better for non-pet needs

While Walmart is a great place to find deals for most things, you may not be in luck with pet meds. You can get some items there, but with zero pet food and only some of the regular medications offered at other retailers, the selection is very limited. Plus, with no discounts or incentives for the autoship feature, it falls behind most pet meds retailers online today. With the added reports of terrible customer service specifically in the pharmacy, Walmart doesn't get our endorsement. You may want to try a retailer more focused on pets.

Entirely Pets

• Ongoing prescription food costs: $69.99
• One-time prescription topical costs: around $69.99
• Elderly pet prescription costs: $0.07 to $3.03 per tablet
• Rx and over-the-counter products
• Requires proof of prescription
• Small discount with autoship
• Serves dogs, cats, horses, exotics, reptiles, and more

Entirely Pets has been an online retailer since 1999, offering a selection of pet meds that cover dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, small pets, as well as horses and livestock. As an added bonus, all of the products are FDA- and EPA-approved, making sure that everything you buy (Rx or otherwise) is safe for your pet. And, while Entirely Pets used to have limitations on shipping to some US states, the company now provides medications across the US to all 50 states, This retailer also has a decent amount of non-Rx products to help care for your pet outside of medical needs.

Hard to browse the Rx pet meds

Entirely Pets' site design could use some updating. When it comes to the pharmacy section, things feel a bit outdated. Instead of an organized layout, all prescription medications are displayed in a single, never-ending alphabetical list, which means a lot of scrolling to find what you need. If you already know the exact product you're looking for, the search bar at the top works well, but a more structured and modern Rx page would make a big difference.

Three ways to prove you have a prescription

To get a prescription medication from Entirely Pets, you'll need to fill out a quick form with your email, shipping information, and payment details. Then, before you move on to final payment, you'll be asked to insert your pet's details, including the pet's name, the type, and the pet's weight. Then, you'll select which Rx pet meds in your cart are for that pet. If you have multiple pets, you can allocate the medications as necessary. After this, you'll decide how you want to get your prescription to Entirely Pets. The retailer can contact your vet for you, you can mail in your original prescription, or you can have Entirely Pets contact a previous pharmacy where you had the prescription before.

Lower costs for prescription food

To get a clear picture of the costs at each pet meds retailer, we looked at the same products across each site for side-by-side comparisons. We selected three key items: a prescription diet (Purina Pro Plan Kidney Function for adult cats) that requires frequent reordering, a one-time treatment (Barrier Topical Solution flea medication for dogs), and a general cost range for capsules that treat arthritis symptoms in aging pets. Regrettably, Entirely Pets did not have the Purina Pro Plan Kidney Function for cats. So, we found a similar product but the cost was much higher. Here's what we found:

• Hill's Prescription Feline Kidney Care: $69.99 (only one size)
• Barrier Topical Solution: $69.99
• Arthritis care across all animals: $0.07 to $3.03 per tablet

Some seasonal discounts offered

Entirely Pets offers some minimal discounts for autoship. For example, the $69.99 cost for Hill's Prescription Feline Kidney Care was $66.49 with the autoship savings. There are also occasional savings offered for seasonal promotions. For example, at the time of our review, Entirely Pets was offering a 17% discount on the entire site. Shipping is free on orders over $79. Outside of that, ground shipping has a flat rate of $6.95.

No listed return policy

Regrettably, Entirely Pets doesn't have a great satisfaction policy. The only details for returns or refunds listed in the site's FAQ include a statement saying that Entirely Pets complies with FDA regulations and will not accept returns on any prescription products. There are no statements for refunds for the non-Rx items, so we would love to see some more transparency from Entirely Pets regarding their satisfaction policies.

Problems with shipping and customer service

Entirely Pets doesn't have a top-rated reputation, and our research shows quite a few red flags. First, Entirely Pets has a "D-” rating from the Better Business Bureau due to the company's failure to respond to 27 complaints. On third-party review sites like Trustpilot, Entirely Pets earns just 2.8 stars out of 5. More than half of the total reviews for Entirely Pets are just 1 star. Several customers who paid for expedited shipping did not get their deliveries on time. There are also a range of complaints about the customer service being "rude” and "snappy” when issues arise.

Not worth the hassle for what you get

There aren't any major pros for going with Entirely Pets over another retailer, but there are quite a few downsides. The pharmacy section of their website isn't the easiest to navigate, and given the limitations on some Rx medications found at most other retailers, the selection at Entirely Pets leaves something to be desired. With no listed refund policy (other than telling you that you can't return prescription products), Entirely Pets misses the mark on transparency as well. If you want a hassle-free shopping experience and a more reliable pet meds retailer, you may want to explore other options.