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Saturday, January 28th
For many years, 1 800 Pet Meds has been one of the most familiar names in veterinary pharmacies online. With more than 10 million customers over the past two decades and more, the company is licensed in all 50 states and is accredited by both the Pharmacy program and the Better Business Bureau.
It's probably not surprising, with a name like 1 800 Pet Meds, that this store focuses on medications. They offer other products too, like grooming tools, beds, and feeders, but you'll have to go to the Supplies tab to find those. You also won't find products for anything other than dogs and cats, so if you're shopping for your horse or iguana, you won't find anything on this site.
In order to compare apples to apples, we looked at the price of a commonly-prescribed preventative for heartworm in dogs, Heartgard. 1 800 Pet Meds came in at a significantly higher price than most of the stores we reviewed: $31.04 for a 6-month supply, compared with other retailers offering it for under $30. That price also reflected a 25% off promotion that was running at the time, making the store's regular price even more expensive.
That might not seem like a big cost difference, but when you look at more costly medications, you'll feel the impact on your wallet. For example, Galliprant is used to handle osteoarthritis in dogs: 1 800 Pet Meds' price on a 90-tablet bottle was $204.99 with that 25% discount, but we found it for under $185 at least one of the other retailers we surveyed.
One strange thing we saw as we browsed the site: initially, there was a 25% discount featured in the yellow box at the top of the page. But, after clicking around on several pages, that discount increased to 30%. We'll gladly take the extra savings, but customers would probably be unhappy if that happened in reverse (i.e. the discount started at 30% while on one page and then decreased to 25% while surfing the site).
Unlike most of the providers of Pet Meds in our review, 1 800 Pet Meds doesn't have an auto ship program that allows you to have your deliveries scheduled in advance (usually with a discount of 5% on those automatic orders). They do remind you via email when you're due to reorder, but you'll have to take the time to submit the order yourself.
Where this store shines is their 100% satisfaction guarantee. There's no fine print or exclusions: if you changed your mind on your order, bought the wrong amount, your pet didn't like it or it didn't work, 1 800 Pet Meds will give you your money back. There are some specific rules you have to follow if you used a heartworm medication and your pet got heartworms anyway, but that's the only product-specific terms you'll need to worry about.
1 800 Pet Meds is still a reputable pharmacy for dogs and cats, but in recent years they've been surpassed by more affordably-priced retailers. But, if you find the Pet Meds you need and they happen to be on sale, you can trust that your experience with this retailer will likely be a good one.
If you've visited your veterinarian lately, you may have been shocked at the cost of even the most basic prescriptions. From regular medications like flea and heartworm prevention to products for conditions like cancer or congestive heart failure, veterinary clinics can upcharge by as much as 100% of the wholesale cost - and even tack on hefty dispensing fees.
Is it any wonder that an increasing number of pet owners are turning to online vet pharmacies for their Pet Meds? There are many trusted providers that offer the same prescription medications that you can get from your veterinarian, often at a fraction of the cost. And, most of these online stores carry a great selection of "extras", ranging from your dog's daily kibble to your kitty's favorite treats.
However, you should check with your vet to make sure that you will be able to get a prescription that you can submit to the online Pet Meds pharmacy that you choose. Recently, some offices have been reluctant to give customers prescriptions because of concerns over the safety and reputation of getting those medications from anywhere other than the veterinarians themselves.
If you or your veterinarian have any concerns, one way to ensure that you're getting authentic products that haven't been counterfeited is to look for a Pharmacy verification. This logo is typically found at the bottom of the site and indicates that the retailer has been vetted - no pun intended - by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). While online retailers of medications for pets can still be reputable without the Pharmacy label, having that verification can give you extra peace of mind when taking care of your favorite furry family member.
In addition to looking for the Pharmacy label, there are several criteria that can help you narrow down the options when deciding where to buy your pet's medications. Keep in mind the following as you browse each site:
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best Pet Meds Stores available today. We hope this information helps you find the pet medications you need as easily and affordably as possible!
Select any 2 Pet Med Stores to compare them head to head