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Monday, May 19th
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:
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.
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!
Select any 2 Pet Med Stores to compare them head to head