As we have mentioned in previous articles, it is important that you are aware of your cat’s daily routines. It is common for cats to conceal pain and illness, so it is important that you consult a vet if you notice a variation in your cat’s behavior. Things to look out for include changes in eating patterns, litter box visits, or attitude swings.

Once you visit the vet and they establish a diagnosis, it is likely they will prescribe a medication. As a pet owner, it is imperative that you have a good understanding of your options of where and how to buy cat medication. After all, pet pharmacy is over a 7 billion dollar industry and there are many different approaches of getting the proper medication for your cat.

Buying medication from online vendors

Cat medications can be purchased online. We have found that online vendors tend to have the cheapest prices as they buy the most in bulk. Some medications do require a prescription, such as sedatives or some deworming medicine for cats. This is because these medications are developed and tested to treat certain problems and can cause serious harm to cats that don’t have the proper diagnosis. Medications requiring a prescription can be bought from online vendors, and at the end of the purchase you will be prompted to provide your veterinarian’s contact information and possibly also a copy of the prescription note. All online vendors that sell prescription only medication must comply with the proper quality assurance and authentication criteria. A list of these recognized online vendors can be found here (List of VIPPS-Accredited Pharmacies). Many of these online vendors provide free online consultation with customers. One of our favorite verified vendors is 

Walmart PetRx Pharmacy

• Largest variety of cat medicines available on the web
• Online veterinarian is available to chat 8am-5pm Monday through Friday
• You can get 10% off your walmart petrx pharmacy order with the code Save10 and activating it through this link: walmartpetrx online pharmacy. Make sure to put in the code SAVE10 at checkout.
• UPDATE: Chewy.com Pharamcy is now offering 20% off to first time pharmacy customers! Use coupon RX20 and click on this link to buy.

Buying medication from your veterinarian

There are certainly advantages of buying medication directly from your vet. For one, it is much more convenient and would save you time travelling to other pharmacies or spending time browsing online. This time could be critical especially if your cat is battling a serious condition, so if that is the case, we recommend buying directly from them. Additionally, whether it is a pill to fight cat allergies or topical cream to fight roundworm or fleas, your vet will likely walk you through the process of how to properly administer the medicine to your cat. The biggest downside of buying from your vet is the price. Products directly from the vet will almost always carry a steeper price tag, as they don’t buy in bulk and usually charge dispensing fees.

Buying medication from your local pharmacy

Although this option doesn’t come with as much guidance and expertise compared to buying from your vet, it can save you a lot of money. Luckily, vets are required by law to write you a prescription for a medicine if you decide to buy from other vendors. It is EXTREMELY important that you DO NOT give your cat medicine for humans (Advil, Tylenol, etc.) unless advised by your vet, as these medications can cause serious illness or death for your feline. For convenience, ask your doctor to write the prescription to include refills if applicable. If this is a medicine you will have to purchase on multiple occasions, we recommend buying from a local pharmacy or online as you will save a lot of money.

Can Cats Have Aspirin? Aspirin Dosage For Cats

Cats can take Aspirin pills, but it must be done in moderate dosages. On average, cats should take 6 to 10 mg every 2-3 days. However, we strongly recommend consulting a vet before giving aspirin to your cat. Cat’s have a much slower metabolism than humans, and an overdose of aspirin can cause hepatitis, irritation of the stomach lining, and respiratory issues.

No matter where you decide to buy your pet medication, make sure to administer the medicine properly and in the right dosage. Keep a close eye on your cat and if you notice any sort of adverse side effects from a medication, contact your vet immediately.