This past weekend my husband and I were out walking the pups when we saw a kitten sitting behind a nursing home.
I walked down to see if it had tags so that I could get it back home, but there were no tags.
Long story short, the kitten was born near the nursing home and had no family.
Of course, I went back and scooped her up.
I brought her to the vet. She checked out okay, so I set out on a mission to find a home for the kitten.
Within hours, good friends of ours contacted me and said they would love to give her a home.
Buying Flea Medication Online
I was telling my friend that I had brought her into the vet where they gave me a free dose of Frontline to take care of any fleas.
I then asked if she wanted me to go back and grab more for her, but she declined, saying they always got their flea preventatives online because it is both cheaper and more convenient than running to the vet.
I had some questions about her online experiences since I traditionally picked up all of my pets’ medicine from our vet.
With three dogs and cat, any chance of saving money is always welcome!
I did some research on several online stores to see where I could get the best deals and to read what other customers were saying about their experience.
Here’s what I found.
What to Look for in Online Pharmacies
It is not that I didn’t know about vet meds being available online. I didn’t order online because I didn’t trust the stores.
Being an active member of the pet community and regularly reading a variety of pet articles, I have come upon more than a few reports pointing out the dangers of ordering online.
Of course, this was years ago when it first started becoming more popular.
Over time, things have changed in the regulations and safety of getting meds online.
After completing my research, I have found multiple reputable online pharmacies.
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Here’s a list of things I was looking for regarding the purchase of medication from various websites.
I will note that not all of the following restrictions are applicable for flea preventatives (Some may focus on human, not pet, pharmacies).
- Vet-VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accredited[1]
- Check legitscript.com to see if they are a registered pharmacy[2]
- Check to see if they are Safe Pharmacy[3] approved
- Make sure they are a US-based pharmacy; different countries have different regulations on medications
- Check the Better Business Bureau to see if they are in good standing
- Make sure a prescription is required for prescription drugs
The reason to take caution when buying online is that online pharmacies that are not accredited have been known to provide wrong, ineffective, or out-of-date medications, all of which can put your dog at risk for medical complications.
Where to Buy Flea Medication Online
| Website | Licensed? | US-Based? | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Veterinary Supply | Yes | Yes | $$$$ | Shop Now |
| Amazon | No | Yes | $ | Shop Now |
| Chewy.com | Yes | Yes | $$ | Shop Now |
| Vet Approved Rx | Yes | Yes | $$$ | Shop Now |
| 1800 Pet Meds | Yes | Yes | $$ | Shop Now |
| BudgetPetCare.com | No | No | $$$ | Shop Now |
| Heartland Veterinary Supply | Yes | Yes | $$$$ | Shop Now |
| Entirely Pets | Yes | Yes | $$ | Shop Now |
Best Local Option
Midwest Veterinary Supply – MyVetStore
Like I said, I have always gotten my flea medication from my vet.
They even offer an online store through Midwest Veterinary Supply, making things easy to order.
Their online ordering link directs you to three different websites:
Two are for farm animals and the third is for domestic pets.
The major downside to ordering through this site is that it’s isn’t as easy and straightforward as many of the other sites listed here.
You’ll probably have to get a prescription from your vet before you can order here, as well, which kinds of negates the convenience of ordering online.
Types of Medication They Offer
- Chewables
- Tablets
- Topical/Drop Treatments
- Collars
Brands They Carry
- Capstar (see our Capstar review)
- Bravecto (see our Bravecto Chews review)
- Comfortis (see our Comfortis vs Capstar comparison)
- Effipro
- Eff
- Frontline
Pros
- Fully licensed pharmacy
- US based
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+[4]
Cons
- Harder to set up an account
- Slightly smaller variety of options
- Not the easiest to navigate
Pricing
- Above average
Best Variety and Best Price on Frontline (Topical)
Amazon
I don’t think that there’s a person on this planet who isn’t familiar with Amazon!
Though they are known for their free shipping for Prime members and their wide variety of products, they are not associated with a licensed pharmacy.
The lack of licensing doesn’t mean that Amazon isn’t a reputable online store, but it does mean that the regulations regarding medications aren’t as strict as other options.
Types of Medication They Offer
- Chewables
- Tablets
- Topical/Drop Treatments
- Collar
Brands They Carry
Pros
- An overwhelming large variety of types and brands of flea preventatives
- Easy to order
- Many flea preventatives are available for free shipping
- Better Business Bureau rating: A-
Cons
- Does not offer flea prevention that requires a prescription such as Bravecto or NexGard
- Not a licensed pharmacy or held to any veterinary standards
- Less than a 2-star customer rating on BBB
Pricing
- Lower Prices
Best Value Overall and Best Price on Seresto (Collar)
Chewy.com
Though Chewy.com isn’t as well-known as Amazon, it is a great online pet store.
On a personal note, I will say that my shopping experiences with Chewy have always been pleasant.
Plus, when I’ve requested to do a return, they have been accommodating and asked I donate the product to a local shelter instead of sending it back.
Regarding Chewy and medication, I am happy to report they are associated with a licensed pharmacy.
After comparing pricing with other online companies and my vet, I can confidently state they have the best pricing available on most medicine, especially on Bayer’s Seresto collar.
Types of Medication They Offer
- Collars
- Chewables
- Tablets
- Topical/Spot Treatments
Brands They Carry
- NexGard
- Bravecto
- Only Natural
- Trifexis
- Sentinel
- Advantage II
- Simparica (see how Simparica compares to Nexgard)
- Revolution
Pros
- A large variety of types and brands of flea preventatives
- Easy to order from
- Licensed
- Chewy marks the items that require a prescription
- Requires prescriptions for some products
- Easy returns
- US based
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
- Has an over 4 Star consumer rating on BBB
Cons
- Order must be at least $49 for free shipping
Pricing
- Average to below average prices
Best Veterinarian Owned Online Pharmacy
Vet Approved Rx
Dr. Miller, a veterinarian, founded Vet Approved Rx. Dr. Miller strives to provide a higher quality of service than other online pharmacies.
Vet Approved Rx offers a unique shopping experience since it is owned and operated by a veterinarian who also functions as a pharmacist.
The Vet Approved Rx website offers a wide variety of products ranging from traditional medications to holistic and natural remedies.
Additionally, there is even a section regarding symptoms and pet education, setting this website apart from the other online pet pharmacies.
Types of Medication They Offer
- Collars
- Chewables
- Tablets
- Topical/Spot Treatments
Brands They Carry
- K9 Advantix
- Advantage II
- Bravecto
- Capstar
- Credelio (our review of Credelio)
- Interceptor
Pros
- Veterinarian owned and operated
- Prescription required for specific flea treatment
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Cons
- Order must be at least $49 for free shipping
- Fewer options than other online stores
Pricing
- Slightly higher than average pricing
Fastest Shipping
1-800-PetMeds
1 800 Pet Meds has been around for years and has a reputation for providing medications at a lower price.
I will say, though they have reasonable pricing, they do not consistently offer the lowest rate when compared to other online stores.
However, 1-800 Pet Meds does offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Types of Medication They Offer
- Collars
- Chewables
- Tablets
- Topical/Spot Treatments
Brands They Carry
- NexGard
- Bravecto
- Trifexis
- Revolution
- K9 Advantix
- Comfortis
- Credelio
Pros
- US based company
- Fully licensed pharmacy
- Prescription required for specific flea treatment
- Overnight shipping available in the continental US
- Better Business Rating A+
Cons
- Slightly fewer options than most other online stores
- Order must be at least $49 for free shipping
- Has a 1 Star Customer Rating with the BBB
Pricing
- Slightly lower than average pricing
Best Non-US-Based Online Pharmacy
BudgetPetCare.com
Of the online stores that I researched, this was one that I would most likely steer clear of.
They offer knock-off products that look like the name brand item, making it easy to purchase the wrong product unintentionally.
Also, they do not require prescriptions for any of their medications since they are not a US licensed pharmacy.
Types of Medication They Offer
- Collars
- Chewables
- Tablets
- Topical/Spot Treatments
Brands They Carry
- Frontline
- NexGard
- Activyl
- Scalibor
- Effipro
- Prac-tic
- Flevox
Pros
- Free shipping on all orders
Cons
- Not located in the US
- No prescription needed
- Budget Pet offers several knock-off brands, so caution is advised when purchasing
- A smaller variety of brands to pick from
- Not easy to locate information about the company – I had to call in to get my questions answered
Pricing
- Average pricing
Best Online Store with Price Matching
Heartland Veterinary Supply
Heartland Veterinary Supply offers an array of medications, both prescription and over the counter.
They are a licensed US pharmacy, and they do require a prescription.
One of the things I liked about this store is that they offer price matching and state that near the bottom of their home page.
Like 1800 Pet Meds, they do have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Types of Medication They Offer
- Collars
- Chewables
- Tablets
- Topical/Spot Treatments
Brands They Carry
- Trifexis
- Adventure
- Comfortis
- Effitix
- Frontline
- Shield Plus
- ZoGuard
- Activyl
- Advantage
- Advantus
Pros
- US licensed pharmacy (clearly stated on the homepage)
- A large variety of options
- Prescription required for specific items
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Cons
- Free Shipping on orders over $75
- Has a 3 Star Consumer Rating on the BBB
Pricing
- Above average pricing
Best Pricing on Bravecto (Chewable)
Entirely Pets
Entirely Pets is similar to Chewy in that they offer an abundance of pet products and not just medications.
Their pricing for medicine is competitive, and they offer the lowest price for Bravecto.
I will say that their free shipping minimum of $85 is significantly higher than other online stores.
See our comparison of Bravecto vs Seresto vs Frontline
Types of Medication They Offer
- Collars
- Chewables
- Medallion
- Tablets
- Topical/Spot Treatments
Brands They Carry
- Advantage II
- K9 Advantix
- Seresto
- Effitix
- Fiproguard
- Freedom 45
- Frontline
- Hartz
- Liberty 50
- Pet Armor
- Sentry Pro
- Spectra Sure
- TriForce
- Vectra 3D
- Pet Lock
- Vet-Kem
Pros
- Safe Pharmacy approved
- US-based licensed pharmacy
- Large variety of brands
- Has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating
- Has just shy of a 4-star consumer rating on the BBB site
Cons
- Unable to ship to all states in the continental US
- Order must be at least $85 for free shipping
Pricing
- Below average pricing
Recommendations
The first thing I will say after completing my research is that I am absolutely blown away by the large variety of flea medications on the market.
I was familiar with several of the brands, but to be honest, the majority of the brands were new to me.
My first recommendation when shopping online for flea medications, whether it is over the counter or prescription, is to be sure that you find a reputable online store.
In my research, I was disturbed by the comments I found regarding those who exercised less caution, and their pups paid the price.
Overall, I think Chewy.com offers the most competitive pricing for pet medications, especially with auto-ship.
However, as you can see above, I did note three common flea medications and who had the best pricing for each.
The drawback of ordering medicine online is that there are two delays.
The first delay would be for the prescription to be verified, and the second would be for the shipping.
Neither delays would be something you would deal with when picking up flea medication from your vet.
Conclusion
Having three dogs is expensive, and I am all for saving money, but not at the expense of my dogs’ health.
However, after researching online shopping, I found that I could save over $100 a year on flea preventative and almost $900 a year on all other medications by buying their medication online!
My final thought is that it is well worth the time to shop around for flea medications.
