As a pet parent, you want the best for your furry family members—but you also have to watch your budget. Veterinary care can get expensive, especially if your pet requires prescription medications. However, many pet owners don‘t realize that they can save a significant amount of money by filling their pet prescriptions at a regular retail pharmacy like Walgreens.
That‘s right, Walgreens fills prescriptions for dogs and cats at over 8,000 locations across the nation, as long as the medication is also one that is prescribed to humans. This means you can get your pet‘s necessary treatments at a much lower cost than buying directly from your vet‘s office. Keep reading to learn exactly how to take advantage of this convenient and budget-friendly option.
The Benefits of Filling Pet Prescriptions at Walgreens
Why should you consider getting Fido or Fluffy‘s medications at Walgreens instead of your veterinary clinic? There are several compelling reasons:
- Lower prices. Medications purchased at vet offices often have sky-high markups, sometimes as much as 100% or more. On top of that, many clinics charge a dispensing fee of $5 to $15 per prescription. By filling your pet prescriptions at Walgreens, you can avoid these extra costs and pay a more reasonable price, similar to what you‘d pay for a human prescription.
- One-stop shopping. If you‘re already a Walgreens customer, you‘ll appreciate the convenience of being able to get ALL your family‘s prescriptions filled in one place—including those for your pets. No more special trips to the vet‘s office just to pick up Missy‘s meds!
- Prescription management tools. Walgreens makes it easy to manage your pet prescriptions with online tools and the Walgreens app. You can set up automatic refills, get dosage reminders, and more. These convenient features help ensure your pet never runs out of necessary medication.
- Potential savings through the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. For even bigger savings, consider joining the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. An individual pet membership is just $20 per year, or you can add your pet to a family plan for $35 per year. Club members receive special discounts on human-equivalent pet medications as well as other perks.
How to Fill a Pet Prescription at Walgreens: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process for filling a pet prescription at Walgreens is essentially the same as filling one of your own prescriptions. Here‘s what you need to do:
- Obtain a valid prescription from your veterinarian. This is required by law, even if the medication is available over-the-counter for humans. Be sure the prescription includes your pet‘s name, the medication name and strength, dosage instructions, and quantity.
- Take the prescription to your local Walgreens pharmacy counter or submit it online. If you have a regular Walgreens location that you use for your own prescriptions, you can take your pet‘s prescription there as well. Simply hand it over to the pharmacist as you would your own. Alternatively, you can create an online account for your pet and submit the prescription electronically—see more on this option below.
- Wait for the prescription to be filled. In most cases, pet prescriptions can be filled the same day if the medication is in stock. If Walgreens needs to order the medication, it may take a few days. You will be notified when your pet‘s prescription is ready for pickup. Some Walgreens locations also offer prescription delivery.
- Pick up and pay for your pet‘s medication. When you receive a notification that the prescription is ready, simply go to the pharmacy counter to collect and pay for it. Be prepared to show a valid photo ID.
- Give the medication to your pet as directed by your vet. It‘s very important to carefully follow all dosage instructions to ensure your pet receives the correct treatment. If you have any questions about how to administer the medication, don‘t hesitate to ask your vet or pharmacist.
What Types of Pet Meds Can Be Filled at Walgreens?
Walgreens can fill prescriptions for many common medications used to treat dogs and cats, as long as the drug is also prescribed for human use. Some examples include:
- Amoxicillin and other antibiotics
- Insulin for diabetes (e.g. Humulin)
- Hydrocortisone and other steroid creams
- Omeprazole and other antacids
- Antihistamines like Benadryl
- Eye medications
- Thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine
Keep in mind that not all human drugs are safe for pets, and availability may vary by pharmacy location. It‘s best to ask your vet if the medication they want to prescribe for your pet is one that can be filled at a regular pharmacy. You can also call your local Walgreens to inquire about a specific medication.
If it turns out that Walgreens doesn‘t carry a pet med you need, see if your vet can prescribe an alternative drug that the pharmacy does stock. Often there are multiple medications that can effectively treat the same condition.
Note that a few pet-specific medications, such as certain flea and tick preventives, do not require a prescription and may be available at Walgreens in the pet care aisle. However, always check with your vet before giving your pet any over-the-counter drug made for animals.
Ordering Pet Meds on the Walgreens Website
In addition to in-person pickup, Walgreens gives you the convenient option to fill your pet prescriptions online. This can be a real time-saver if you‘re ordering refills or prefer to avoid an extra errand. Here‘s how the process works:
- Go to Walgreens.com and create a pharmacy account or sign into your existing one. Then, create a separate profile for your pet within the account. You‘ll need to enter your pet‘s name, species, breed, and date of birth.
- Once logged in, go to the "Prescriptions" section and select your pet‘s profile.
- Click on "Add a Prescription" and enter the requested information. You‘ll need to have your vet‘s contact information handy. Walgreens will reach out to the vet directly to verify the prescription.
- Choose your preferred delivery method. You can opt for shipping to your home address or select a Walgreens location for pickup.
- Complete the checkout process and wait for your pet‘s medication to arrive. Shipping is free for most prescriptions.
By creating an online pet profile, you‘ll be able to easily view your pet‘s prescription history, set up automatic refills, and get medication reminders. This can provide real peace of mind for busy pet owners.
Saving Even More with the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club
To get the absolute best deals on pet meds at Walgreens, consider joining the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. For a small annual fee ($20 for an individual pet or $35 for the whole family including pets), you‘ll receive special discounts on hundreds of generic and brand-name medications.
Signing up is easy and can be done either at the pharmacy counter or online. Once you‘re a member, simply present your Savings Club card whenever you fill a pet prescription to receive the lower price.
In addition to discounts on pet and human drugs, membership perks include:
- Bonus rewards points on Walgreens purchases
- Savings on preventive care like pet vaccinations at participating Walgreens locations
- Discounts on other pet health essentials like flea/tick prevention, supplements, and prescription food
The exact discount amount varies by medication, but the Prescription Savings Club is definitely worth considering if you anticipate filling multiple pet prescriptions or other scripts for human family members.
The Bottom Line: Walgreens Is Your Pharmacy for the Whole Family
Walgreens makes it easy and affordable to get your pet‘s prescriptions filled without an extra trip to the vet‘s office. As long as the medication is also one that is used for humans, and you have a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian, you can get your pet‘s drugs for significantly less than your vet would likely charge.
With over 8,000 locations, convenient Walgreens pharmacies are never far away. Plus, Walgreens‘ user-friendly website and app make managing all your prescriptions—for both two-legged and four-legged family members—a breeze. And don‘t forget to investigate the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club for extra discounts on medications as well as other perks for pet parents.
So the next time your vet prescribes a medication for your dog or cat, be sure to ask if it can be filled at your neighborhood Walgreens. Your wallet will thank you, and your furry friend will still get the treatment they need to thrive. It‘s a win-win!
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