A Review of 1-800-PetMeds: America's Largest Pet Pharmacy

1-800-PetMeds is America's largest pet pharmacy competing with companies like Drs. Foster and Smith, and PetEdge; so after doing some comparison shopping, I found that 1-800-PetMeds is also the cheapest - at least when it comes to certain medications.

Like every other pet pharmacy, you must have a veterinarian's prescription for the medication; or your vet must be willing to allow the pet pharmacy to call them and verify the pet's need for the prescription. My vet actually charged me $5 for heartworm medicine - something that is now becoming the norm in the industry so veterinarian practices can make more money. Personally I think it's disgraceful; could you imagine if your doctor charged you to write a prescription for your necessary diabetic insulin?

With 1-800-PetMeds I called them to find out if I could order the generic version (which is much cheaper) over the Internet even though the doctor wrote the prescription for the brand name: Heartgard. The customer service representative was friendly and knowledgeable, and informed me that the generic contained the same active ingredient and that it would be no problem for me to purchase the generic with a Heartgard prescription. So I ordered and paid for the generic version, and mailed my veterinarian's prescription in the post. Just days later (literally), I received the heartworm medication.

My dog went crazy as soon as the box arrived. How can a dog be so excited about his heartworm pills? After I opened the box, took out the medication, the pamphlets and packing material, I saw it: the big bone. Not only had this company processed and shipped my order quickly, they also made a point to make the dog happy by supplying a dog bone!

My total for the generic version of Heartgard Plus (the green package for dogs weighing between 26-50 lbs) through 1-800-PetMeds was $46.50. I saved at least $30 by ordering through 1-800-PedMeds (even with the ridiculous $5 charge by my vet to write the prescription). I was a bit dubious after the veterinarian's office manager told me that they do not endorse mail order pet pharmacies, but I think it is only because they want to make more money for themselves. The vet's office charges $77 plus a fee for shipping (the S&H they have to pay to get the medications sent to their office) even though you can buy it right there in the office - what a rip off.

In the future I'll always comparison shop because each medication can cost a different price depending on the size of the dog, the strength of the medicine, and the availability of generics; but after my experience with 1-800-PetMeds, I will definitely use them again. They only ship US FDA/EPA approved products and all products are 100% guaranteed.

1-800-PetMeds are located at 1441 SW 29^th Avenue, Pompano Beach, Florida, 33069. Phone: 1-800-738-6337 (Pet-Meds). Their fax number (if you're lucky enough to get your veterinarian to fax them your pet's prescription) is: 1-800-380-9555. Check out their web site for other pet items besides medications, and compare prices on all prescription and non-prescription pet medications: www.1800petmeds.com.