As a pet owner, ensuring your furry friend receives the best veterinary care and medication is a top priority. But with rising costs and busy schedules, getting prescriptions filled isn‘t always easy or affordable. That‘s where online pet pharmacies like 1800PetMeds come in, promising a more convenient and cost-effective alternative. But is 1800PetMeds legit and reliable? We did the research to bring you all the details in this comprehensive 1800PetMeds review.
What is 1800PetMeds?
1800PetMeds is one of the oldest and most popular online pet pharmacies in the United States. Founded in 1996 by Florida veterinarian Marc Puleo, the company has served over 11 million customers in its 25+ years in business. 1800PetMeds is accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and licensed to sell prescription medications in all 50 states.
The company prides itself on providing a wide selection of veterinarian-approved medications for dogs, cats, and horses at competitive prices. 1800PetMeds also maintains a strong reputation and brand awareness, with over 18.9K Instagram followers and features in major publications like Forbes and Yahoo Finance.
How Does 1800PetMeds Work?
To purchase prescription pet medications from 1800PetMeds, you first need a valid prescription from your veterinarian. You can have your vet fax or email the prescription directly to 1800PetMeds, or mail in the original copy yourself. This approval process is required by law for the company to ensure the safety and validity of the medication for your pet.
Once your prescription is on file, you can search 1800PetMeds‘ extensive catalog of medications by animal type, brand, or health condition. The site offers primarily one-time purchases rather than subscriptions, so you can re-order medications as needed without recurring charges. At checkout, you‘ll enter your pet‘s details like their breed and weight to ensure proper dosage.
After the order is placed, 1800PetMeds contacts your vet to verify the prescription. As long as everything looks good, the medication ships out to your door. Standard shipping is free on orders over $49.
Aside from filling prescriptions, 1800PetMeds also provides a wealth of free pet health resources on their site. Their blog and information center contain expert articles and videos on common pet illnesses, wellness, medications, and more to help owners make informed decisions about their pet‘s care.
1800PetMeds Top Medications
1800PetMeds carries hundreds of medications to treat a variety of health conditions in dogs, cats, and horses. Some of their most popular prescription products include:
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Trifexis – A beef-flavored chewable tablet that kills adult fleas, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls intestinal parasites in dogs. Prices start at $112 for a 6-pack.
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Heartgard Chewables for Cats – A beef-flavored chewable that prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls intestinal parasites in cats. Prices start at $40 for a 6-pack.
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Apoquel – An oral tablet used to treat itching and inflammation associated with allergic and atopic dermatitis in dogs. Prices start at $2 per tablet.
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Bravecto – An oral chew that kills adult fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks in dogs. Prices start at $54 for a single dose.
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Sentinel Spectrum – A beef and bacon flavored chewable that prevents heartworm disease, kills adult fleas, and treats and controls intestinal parasites in dogs. Prices start at $100 for a 6-pack.
Compared to prices at many veterinary offices, 1800PetMeds offers significant savings on these popular prescription medications. For example, a 6-pack of Trifexis at 1800PetMeds costs $112, compared to around $130-$150 at most vet offices. However, prices may vary depending on location and specific vet practice.
Advantages of 1800PetMeds
There are several benefits to using 1800PetMeds over traditional veterinary office visits and purchases:
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Convenience – Medications get delivered right to your door, saving you a trip to the vet or pharmacy. You can place orders 24/7 from your computer or smartphone.
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Affordability – 1800PetMeds offers competitive prices on medications, often beating prices at vet offices. They also provide frequent promotions and discounts for added savings.
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Wide Selection – With hundreds of medications to choose from, you can likely find what your pet needs in one place. The site also offers non-prescription health products and supplies.
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Satisfaction Guarantee – 1800PetMeds offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their products. If you‘re unhappy with your purchase, you can return it for a refund.
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Informative Resources – The 1800PetMeds blog and information center provide helpful articles and videos to enhance your knowledge of pet health and wellness.
1800PetMeds vs. Competitors
While 1800PetMeds is a leading online pet pharmacy, it‘s not the only player in the game. One of their main competitors is Allivet, another popular site for prescription and non-prescription pet medications. So how do the two compare?
Both 1800PetMeds and Allivet offer a wide selection of medications, low prices, and free shipping on certain order amounts. They also both require a valid prescription from a vet to place an order. However, there are a few key differences:
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Allivet offers medications for a broader range of animals, including livestock, birds, and fish. 1800PetMeds focuses primarily on dogs, cats, and horses.
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1800PetMeds provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee, while Allivet‘s guarantee only covers unopened products returned within 15 days.
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1800PetMeds tends to have more frequent promotions, sales, and coupon codes available to bring prices down even further. They also have a rewards program and a refer-a-friend bonus.
Ultimately, both are solid choices for ordering pet meds online, but 1800PetMeds may edge out Allivet in terms of guarantees and potential savings.
1800PetMeds Reviews & Reputation
As a savvy shopper, you always want to check customer reviews and company reputation before choosing where to spend your money. And with an online pharmacy responsible for your pet‘s health, it‘s even more important to know they are legit and reliable.
1800PetMeds maintains accreditation with the Better Business Bureau and VetVIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites). They boast an average 4.8-star rating out of 5 from over 9,600 reviews on their own site. Customers frequently praise the:
- Helpfulness and knowledge of the customer service
- Speed and reliability of shipping and delivery
- Ease of ordering and requesting refills
- Savings compared to vet office prices
On ConsumerAffairs, 1800PetMeds has a respectable 3.6-star average rating from over 500 reviews. Positive reviews echo the same points as on the 1800PetMeds site. Negative reviews mostly center around frustrations with delayed orders or issues getting refunds. However, the company seems active in responding to and resolving complaints.
While no company is perfect, the overall consensus from customers is that 1800PetMeds provides quality service and value. The vast majority of reviewers state they would recommend 1800PetMeds to other pet owners and plan to purchase from them again.
1800PetMeds Mobile App
For an even more streamlined ordering experience, 1800PetMeds also provides a free mobile app for Android and Apple devices. With the app, you can:
- Refill your pet‘s medications in just a few taps
- Scan your pet‘s prescription to submit for refills
- Receive reminders when it‘s time for a refill or a dose
- Track your order status and shipping
- Quickly contact customer support with any issues
The 1800PetMeds app makes it that much easier to stay on top of your pet‘s medication needs, even on the go. Based on research and reading user reviews, I find the app to be a helpful complementary tool for existing 1800PetMeds customers.
Potential Drawbacks
While 1800PetMeds offers many benefits, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider as well:
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Shipping isn‘t free unless you meet the $49 minimum order requirement. If you need only one inexpensive medication, you may pay more in shipping than if you bought from your vet.
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1800PetMeds is not an overnight service. If your pet needs medication immediately, you‘ll still need to get it from a local vet or pharmacy. Most 1800PetMeds orders take 1-2 business days to ship out.
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You still need to see your vet to get a prescription first before ordering from 1800PetMeds. The company doesn‘t replace your vet, but rather provides an alternatiove avenue for filling prescriptions.
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1800PetMeds‘ return policy only covers unopened items. If you receive the wrong medication or your pet has an adverse reaction and can‘t take it, you may not be able to return it for a refund.
None of these drawbacks are necessarily dealbreakers, but they are good to be aware of when deciding if 1800PetMeds is the right choice for you and your pet. It‘s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian about the best place to get your pet‘s specific medications.
The Bottom Line
After extensive research into 1800PetMeds‘ offerings, ordering process, prices, customer reviews, and more, I confidently conclude that it is a legitimate and reliable source for prescription pet medications. The company provides a more convenient and often more affordable alternative to traditional vet office purchases.
While 1800PetMeds has some limitations and isn‘t right for every situation, it is definitely worth considering if you want to save time and money on your pet‘s necessary medications. The 1800PetMeds website and app make it easy to order and manage all your pet‘s prescriptions in one place. And with vet approval required on every order, you can trust you are getting the same quality medications as you would from your vet directly.
No company is without flaws or negative reviews, but 1800PetMeds has maintained a positive reputation and high ratings across multiple review platforms. The fact that it has been in business over 25 years and served over 11 million satisfied customers reinforces its legitimacy and trustworthiness.
If you are a new customer, 1800PetMeds is absolutely worth trying out, especially with their discounts for first-time orders. If you don‘t end up finding it‘s the right solution for you, the company at least offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
As a pet parent myself, I want the best for my furry companions while also staying within my budget. Based on my research, I believe 1800PetMeds is a solid option for meeting both those needs. Of course, always consult with your vet about your pet‘s specific medication requirements. But for general prescription needs, 1800PetMeds provides a valuable service to make pet healthcare more accessible and affordable for owners.
