Petco Review: Pet Med Stores

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

2026 Pet Med Store Reviews

Where is the Best Place to Buy Pet Meds?  Everyone wants their furry family members to be happy, healthy, and comfortable. But sometimes your cat will eat something he shouldn't, or your new pup will get an ear infection, and pet meds are the next step for taking care of your furbabies. Whether your furry friend is older or a playful baby, you'll want the best place to grab pet meds without breaking the bank.

2.5

FAIR

7

Fair

  • 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

FAIR

2.5

On the Petco website

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.

Best Pet Med Stores

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.

Best Pet Med Stores

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).

On the Petco website

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Buy Pet Meds?

Everyone wants their furry family members to be happy, healthy, and comfortable. But sometimes your cat will eat something he shouldn't, or your new pup will get an ear infection, and pet meds are the next step for taking care of your furbabies. Whether your furry friend is older or a playful baby, you'll want the best place to grab pet meds without breaking the bank.

Pet meds can be anything from prescription kibble to ear creams to insulin for a diabetic pet. According to medical studies, the most common illnesses in dogs and cats are diabetes, cancer, and viral infections. Most illnesses like these can be treated with prescription foods, painkillers, and mix-ins to support your pet's health.

Your pet may also develop age-related concerns like kidney troubles that can also be treated and supported with specialized foods and supplements. Researchers note that, on average, 75% of dogs who were studied in a veterinarian clinic were reported to have at least one condition treatable with pet meds. Now, this doesn't mean it will happen to every pet, but whether you have a furry family member who needs support now, or you're worried about the future, you'll want to know where you can get the best care.

There are tons of places you can grab pet meds in person and online. Whether you're looking for a local pet superstore to pick out your pet meds in person or an online site where you can put your long-term prescriptions on an autoship, there's a place that serves pets of every shape, size, and species (Yep, we checked, there are even prescription medications for wild animals). Whether you have a cat, dog, bird, chicken, or hamster, there's a vet out there who knows what you need, and a retailer who can help you get it. Fun fact: some places that sell online pet meds even offer extras like online vet appointments for quick check-ins,

Finding out that your pet isn't doing well is one of the worst feelings, but with the right pet meds, you can help them feel more like themselves again. With so many sites and brick-and-mortar stores that sell pet supplies that now offer vet-approved pet meds as well as over-the-counter selections like flea and tick medication and dewormers, it can be hard to know which place to choose.

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!

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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

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