The Best Places to Buy Pet Medicine (And Save More Money)

You love your pet, but you probably don’t like the pet bill. The familiar feeling: you’re standing at the checkout, your dog or cat is ready to go, and the receptionist hands you a small bottle of pills with a price that makes your heart skip a beat. (Related: See “Dog and Cat Breeds at High Pet Cost” on Money Talks News)

You pay it because you want your furry friend to be healthy. But what if I told you that you don’t have to pay those high fees?

For many years, the vet’s office was the only place to get medication for pets. That rule meant you were stuck paying whatever they decided to charge. But things have changed.

A report from the Federal Trade Commission noted that consumers now have more options than ever, from online pharmacies to supermarkets. However, many of us still overpay out of habit.

Let’s stop that habit today. Here are the best places to buy pet medicine and keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket.

Ask for a written prescription

Before buying, you need a real prescription in hand. This is where many pet owners get stuck. They think that if the vet diagnoses the problem, the vet should sell them the cure.

That is not true.

You have the right to ask your vet for a written prescription, just like you would get from your vet. Some vets may frown or stare at you, but don’t let that stop you. In fact, FTC staff have found that improved prescription portability—meaning your ability to take that script wherever you want—leads to lower prices and more consumer choice.

If your vet refuses to write a prescription that you can take elsewhere, it may be time to find a new vet.

Check your local pharmacy

This may surprise you, but many medications prescribed for pets are the exact same medications prescribed for humans. Antibiotics, thyroid medications, and even anxiety pills are often the same.

Because people’s pharmacies buy these drugs in large quantities, they can offer them at very low prices. In some cases, you may be able to find your pet’s medication on the $4 generic drug list at stores like Target or Kroger.

Just take your prescription to the pharmacy counter and ask if they carry the human equivalent. Make sure the pharmacist knows it’s for a pet, so they can double check the dosage and make sure there are no inactive ingredients (like xylitol) that are toxic to animals.

Buy from certified online pet pharmacies

If the medication is specific to animals—such as certain heartworm preventatives or medications—you’ll need a dedicated pet pharmacy.

Online retailers like Chewy and 1-800-PetMeds have built huge businesses by discounting pet prices. They buy in bulk and pass the savings on to you. Setting up an account is easy, and most of these sites will contact your vet directly to verify the prescription if you don’t have a paper copy.

However, you should be careful. The Internet is full of dark websites that sell fake or expired drugs. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Consider a pharmacy discount card

You’ve probably seen prescription discount card marketplaces like GoodRx. But did you know you can use them on your pets, too?

GoodRx actually has a program specifically for pet medications. If your pet has been prescribed a “human” medication, you can check the price on the GoodRx app, find the cheapest local pharmacy, and show the pharmacist the coupon code for a discount.

It’s completely free to use, and the savings can be huge, especially for chronic conditions that require daily medication.

Talk to your vet about other options

If you’re still struggling to buy the medicine, have an honest conversation with your vet.

Veterinarians are animal lovers first and foremost. If they know you’re on a tight budget, they can recommend a cheaper, older-generation drug that works as well as a newer, more expensive option. They may also have manufacturer discounts or sample sizes in the back room that they can offer to get you going.

Related: See Is Pet Insurance Worth It? These are the Pros and Cons to Consider

The bottom line is that you don’t have to go broke to keep your pet healthy. By doing a little research and being willing to shop around, you can reduce your pet care costs and continue to provide high quality care.