| The rising cost of pet medication has left | | | | hour access through their website, you should |
| pet owners searching for ways to save money | | | | take note of their call hours. You never |
| while still being able to provide adequate | | | | know when you or your veterinarian will need |
| care for their pet. For many, this has led | | | | to speak with a pharmacist directly. Keep in |
| to comparing the different pet pharmacies | | | | mind that the call hours will be affected by |
| available online. While price is usually the | | | | time zone differences between your two |
| first thing consumers look for, there are | | | | locations. Weekends hours are also |
| some other factors to consider when choosing | | | | important, and this is where many pet |
| your pet pharmacy. Here are some questions | | | | pharmacies fail to deliver. The bottom line |
| to ask before making your first purchase. | | | | is to make sure that you have sufficient |
| | | | access to a licensed pharmacist. You never |
| Does your pharmacy have licensed pet | | | | want to feel "locked out" from your pet's |
| pharmacists on staff? | | | | meds. |
| | | | |
| This may seem like an obvious question, but | | | | What are the shipping costs? |
| the truth is that some online pet suppliers | | | | |
| are really just third-party distributors. | | | | Many online retailers lure consumers in by |
| They make their money by reselling products | | | | advertising low prices on items only to hit |
| that they have purchased from other stores. | | | | them with high shipping costs at checkout. |
| Without a staff pharmacist they will never be | | | | This can also be the case with pet meds, so |
| able to sell you a full line of pet meds. | | | | it is wise to research the shipping costs in |
| Many of today's pet medications require a | | | | advance. The larger pet pharmacies regularly |
| prescription, so make sure your online source | | | | offer shipping discounts, so be sure to look |
| has the necessary staff to meet your needs. | | | | for promotional offers and coupon codes like |
| | | | the ones featured at The key is to compare |
| Will they contact your veterinarian for | | | | prices between pharmacies with the shipping |
| prescription information? | | | | cost included. This will let you know who is |
| | | | offering the best value. |
| Paperwork can be a hassle, especially when | | | | |
| you have to send it to a pharmacy that is | | | | Online pet pharmacies are a great resource |
| hundreds of miles away. Faxes and digital | | | | for saving money on expensive pet |
| delivery makes things easier, but not | | | | medications. Many of the larger outlets have |
| everyone has access to the equipment needed | | | | expanded enough to provide superior service |
| to make use these formats. A good online pet | | | | and quick turnaround for those who don't need |
| pharmacy will contact your veterinarian | | | | a physical storefront to do business. By |
| directly, making it simple and convenient for | | | | doing your research and asking the right |
| you. | | | | questions, you can save a substantial amount |
| | | | of money with online pet pharmacies, |
| What are their contact hours? | | | | especially if you have multiple pets or an |
| | | | animal with a long-term illness. |
| Even though online pet pharmacies offer 24 | | | | |