You love your pet, but you probably don’t love the vet bill. It’s a familiar feeling: you’re standing at the checkout counter, your dog or cat is eager to leave, and the receptionist hands you a small bottle of pills with a price tag that makes your heart skip a beat. (Related: See “The Dog and Cat Breeds With the Highest Vet Bills” 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 inflated prices?
For years, the vet’s office was the only place to get pet medications. That monopoly 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 big-box stores. Yet, many of us are still overpaying out of sheer habit.
Let’s break that habit today. Here are the best places to buy pet medicines and keep more of your hard-earned cash in your pocket.
Ask for a written prescription
Before you can shop around, you need the actual prescription in hand. This is where many pet owners get stuck. They assume that if the vet diagnoses the problem, the vet has to sell them the cure.
That isn’t true.
You have the right to ask your vet for a written prescription, just like you would get from your own doctor. Some vets might sigh or give you a look, but don’t let that deter you. In fact, FTC staff found that improved prescription portability—meaning your ability to take that script wherever you want—leads to lower prices and more choices for consumers.
If your vet flat-out refuses to write a script you can take elsewhere, it might be time to find a new vet.
Check your local human pharmacy
This might surprise you, but many of the drugs prescribed for pets are the exact same drugs prescribed for humans. Antibiotics, thyroid medications, and even anxiety pills are often identical.
Because human pharmacies buy these drugs in massive quantities, they can offer them at rock-bottom prices. In some cases, you might even be able to get your pet’s medication on a $4 generic drug list at stores like Target or Kroger.
Just take your written 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 ensure there are no inactive ingredients (like xylitol) that are toxic to animals.
Shop at verified online pet pharmacies
If the medication is specific to animals—like certain heartworm preventatives or flea treatments—you’ll need a dedicated pet pharmacy.
Online retailers like Chewy and 1-800-PetMeds have built massive businesses by undercutting vet prices. They buy in bulk and pass the savings on to you. Setting up an account is easy, and most of these sites will even contact your vet directly to verify the prescription if you don’t have a paper copy.
However, you have to be careful. The internet is full of shady websites selling counterfeit or expired drugs. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Consider a pharmacy discount card
You’ve probably seen commercials for prescription discount cards like GoodRx. But did you know you can use them for your pets, too?
GoodRx actually has a program specifically for pet medications. If your pet is prescribed a “human” drug, you can look up the price on the GoodRx app, find the cheapest local pharmacy, and show the pharmacist the coupon code to get the discount.
It’s completely free to use, and the savings can be substantial, especially for chronic conditions that require daily medication.
Talk to your vet about alternatives
If you’re still struggling to afford a medication, have an honest conversation with your vet.
Veterinarians are animal lovers first and foremost. If they know you’re on a tight budget, they might be able to recommend a cheaper, older-generation drug that works just as well as the newest, most expensive option. They might also have manufacturer rebates or sample sizes in the back room that they can give you to tide you over.
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 keeping your pet healthy. By doing a little research and being willing to shop around, you can slash your pet care costs and still provide top-notch care.
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