You may live far away from your vet or have a restrictive schedule. Numerous circumstances prevent countless pet owners from going to the vet to acquire necessary and lifesaving medications and other health products for their furry friends. Online suppliers have enabled convenience and cost-effectiveness for years now, but shoppers must do their research to find the most reputable pet health supplies. Discover what traits make a quality online storefront and which ones experts recommend. 

How Do I Know if My Online Pet Pharmacy Is Legit?

In the U.S., the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has advice for protecting your money and pets from fraudulent websites. It recommends the A.W.A.R.E. system, which outlines these steps to avoid scams and price gouging:

  • Ask your veterinarian: Your vet is the ultimate authority. When in doubt, ask them for a reliable source or if they know anything about a place you are researching. They also know what is safe for your pet and what medicines cause specific side effects.
  • Watch for red flags: If a website does not require a prescription, makes contact information hard to find, and has unbelievably low prices, then you might be visiting a disingenuous provider.
  • Always check if and where the online pharmacy is licensed: Certifications should be easily verifiable and visible. Online pharmacies receive licensing from state boards, so you can contact them if you have questions. Agencies like the Vet-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practices Sites and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy accreditations are also worth looking for.
  • Report problems: Do your due diligence and communicate concerns with your vet if problems arise. You could be the reason they discover issues with a recommended pharmacy or discover suspicious activity.
  • Educate yourself: Always remain curious and ask questions to experts. There is always an opportunity to learn more about online pet health care, especially as e-commerce becomes more prevalent. 

1. Revival Animal Health

Revival Animal Health has everything you need to take care of your pet’s health. It has milk replacers, horse supplies, dewormers, newborn care items and more. The immense selection is complemented by a sizable clearance section with tons of top-quality products. It also promises to stock the most innovative and helpful inventory, highlighting its new products front and center. Finding what you need is easy because of its shop-by-need categorization system. Do you need something for umbilical care or grooming? Revival Animal Health has everything organized.

Another benefit of Revival Animal Health is its vast library of exclusive pet health resources. See yourself become an animal expert from the comfort of your home on topics you didn’t know you wanted or needed to know — they all help you take better care of your animal at no additional cost. Find ways to enrich your bird or how to treat summer sores in horses. No pet health topic is too small, and Revival covers every one.

Over 100 employees and 35 years of experience make Revival Animal Health what it is today — a team of licensed specialists driven by compassion and expertise.

2. PetRx

The vision for PetRx came to fruition during the 2020 pandemic and has blossomed into a budding family-owned business. It has large stocks of dog and cat products, but it also carries horse and farmed animal supplies for even more types of pet owners. 

Even though PetRx currently only ships to California residents, it is a competitor in the market because of its pricing and dedication to scaling across the country. Shoppers can get discounts through its auto-ship program and have many quantity options to choose from to save even more money when buying in bulk.

PetRx can cover most prescriptions and diets, and it has the option to add pet insurance through Odie without window shopping elsewhere. This option is customizable based on budget, existing conditions and desired levels of preventive care. Multiple pets receive discounts, and customers get a 24/7 exclusive vet chat as part of the plan.

3. PetCare Supplies

Perhaps you go exclusively to your vet for prescriptions. However, the world of pet health supplies is much bigger than medications. If you are looking for other wellness-related items, PetCare Supplies could be the best outlet. 

It is a great option if you have a medication solution and want a more streamlined storefront without medical inventory to sift through. PetCare Supplies does not have licenses, so it does not ship prescriptions. It does have over-the-counter medications with easy price comparisons to see how much you are saving.

The store stocks everything you can imagine to make your pet’s wellness journey as comprehensive as possible. This includes oral hygiene, anxiety supplements, shampoos and wound care. PetCare Supplies also stocks homeopathic remedies if owners believe these would be beneficial for their pet’s livelihoods and inform their vets of their usage. It is one of the only places that stocks reliable brands of this nature.

4. Medi-Vet Animal Health

From reptiles to fish, Medi-Vet Animal Health has a licensed veterinary expert for them. The store prides itself on having the best wholesale catalog, giving pet owners the option to save and have backup reserves of any health item. 

It is because of this setup that Medi-Vet can give customers such low prices. It has operated this way for nearly half a century, having some of the most in-depth experience out there. The CEO has dedicated the business to combating inflated costs, and it is immediately visible with its pricing structures.

Medi-Vet stocks everything you could want for your animals, but it also has a large variety of products for pet owners. You may experience allergies with your furry friends, and Medi-Vet has reliable recommendations to add to your order. They also have plenty of helpful medical tools, such as oral medication dispensers and bio-waste containers to make every process safe.

5. Healthy Spot

Healthy Spot is another store that prioritizes wellness but with an all-natural perspective. You would have to seek prescription services elsewhere, but Healthy Spot targets another equally important aspect of your pet’s health. The team focuses on supplementation, grooming and building a healthy lifestyle for your animals.

Visit Healthy Spot at its Los Angeles, Orange County, Bay Area or Central Coast locations for its critically acclaimed spa services. After their dog has had a luxurious nail trim and washing, pet owners can sign up for training classes. If you become part of Healthy Spot’s Mind Body Bowl program, then you will get rewards for making your pets happier and healthier.

Even if you do not live nearby, their online marketplace has tons of high-quality products, such as hydration and outdoor health products, delivered straight to your door at competitive prices. Some of their products even donate to good causes, such as the Humane World for Animals. Shoppers know they are buying nutritious and dependable food and toys for their pets while helping others.

6. VCA Animal Hospitals

World-class veterinary care is available through VCA Animal Hospitals and its huge online inventory. It is a medical facility and pharmacy, with tons of other products to look through categorized by need.

Customers can also use the myVCA app to consolidate pet care into one place. Use the live chat feature any time of day, refill prescriptions, understand your pet’s vaccine status and more. The company is highly customer-focused, and providing essential information with easy access is essential to VCA’s mission. Its team also has a news feed that helps pet owners understand what to watch out for in the coming seasons.

VCA is also one of the only outlets that clearly advertises its social responsibility commitments. Its priority is to pets, people and the planet simultaneously. It has demonstrated this dedication with initiatives like Paws to Turn Off, which reduces energy consumption in the hospitals.

7. Chewy

Almost every pet owner has heard of Chewy. You can order cat litter from there because you do not want to carry it home, or someone else can order organic health treats for their dog. Every prescription item is from FDA-registered distributors, and it has a list of its state licenses in an easy-to-find location.

However, Chewy also has a massive online pharmacy and seemingly limitless health care products. It even has a section devoted to exotic animals. Like most online pharmacies, you need only get a prescription from the vet and submit it to the Chewy team for processing.

Chewy has built its reputation on customer service. The team has been known to ship birthday cards, flowers and free replacements for stolen items. Its experts are available 24/7 and have licensed vets to chat with too. Shoppers can also explore pet insurance options while they wait for their prescriptions to come in the mail, which are always promised to be delivered fast.

The Best Pet Health Suppliers at a Glance

Here are the most important characteristics about each supplier you need to know.

Website Discounts State Licenses Best Quality
Revival Animal  Health Loyalty rewards, affiliate program, bundle discounts All 50 dates and D.C. Expansive learning center
PetRx Auto-ship discounts, regular coupon codes CA and working on expanding Quality insurance and benefits
PetCare Supplies Seasonal sales, rewards program, newsletter discount N/A Large catalog of competitively priced health-related products without searching through prescriptions 
Medi-Vet Animal Health Wholesale pricing, affiliate program,  LA Best wholesale option
Healthy Spot Subscription discounts, regular sales and service promotions N/A Top-notch grooming and spa services
VCA Animal Hospitals Free shipping on applicable orders, CareClub promotions All 50 dates and D.C. Sizable team of trained emergency staff with immense inventory
Chewy First-order promotions, auto-ship discounts  AZ, FL, KY, PA, TX Fan-favorite customer service

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Pet Health Supplies

flat lay shot of a dog and animal accessories
Photo by Hana Brannigan on Pexels.com

These outlets tout robust catalogs and respectable third-party verifications. However, you may still have questions about the finer details of shopping for your pets online. 

Is it Cheaper to Buy Pet Supplies Online or in Store?

Both options have pros and cons when it comes to affordability. The cheaper option may be online outlets because they offer more promotions and coupon codes. Auto-ship programs often include discounts, and referral codes could make it even more incentivizing to look online. Competitive pricing can also drive prices down from store to store.

However, you may be willing to pay gas money to drive to the vet if it means you get products immediately. Some vets may be able to price-match with websites, making them just as affordable. 

Are Online Pet Pharmacies Safe?

Yes, online pet pharmacies can be just as licensed and safe to use as an in-person pharmacy. You just need to be sure the website has the correct certifications. Always research thoroughly and ask for recommendations from a vet before trusting a website immediately because it could staff unlicensed pharmacists in addition to low-quality products. 

Unauthorized retailers could sell fake medications and other unsafe health products. It puts your pet at risk, even though the price may seem good for your budget.

Does GoodRx Cover Pet Medication?

GoodRx is a valuable service providing discounts for countless human medications. It is helpful for those with and without insurance, making prescriptions accessible to the people who need it most. GoodRx does support pet medicine discounts and coupons, including some of the most popular, like Gabapentin and Simparica Trio.

How Can You Save Money on Pet Supplies?

Many look online to save money, but there are many other ways to pocket extra cents even when switching to a cheaper provider, including but not limited to:

  • Leveraging pet insurance if it covers the types of purchases you make.
  • Buying in bulk.
  • Choosing generic brands.
  • Signing up for rewards programs.
  • Contacting stores to see if they have financial assistance programs.

Additionally, preventive care is the best way to save on pet health care expenses. While it seems like a lot over time, it is more budget-friendly to spread out a few checkups compared to fronting a large hospital bill from an unexpected ailment.

Trustworthy, Convenient Pet Care

Online pet pharmacies can be just as reputable and affordable as visiting a vet in person. Health care products range from wellness aids to prescription drugs, and online marketplaces have many easy-to-access options for customers in every state. Communicate with your vet and contact one of these retailers today for any concerns you may have about your pet’s long-term health and self-care needs.

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