How to Use GoodRx for Pets: Save on Pet Medications at Your Local Pharmacy

For many pet parents, healthcare for their pets can be a financial challenge. This is even true if they have pet health insurance: Many current pet health insurance options don’t cover pre-existing conditions or expensive medications. 

Fortunately, if you need help affording your pet’s medications, or you’re just looking for ways to save, GoodRx may be able to help. 

Many pets are prescribed a medication that’s also used by humans — such as antibiotics, trazodone, gabapentin, or fluoxetine. If that’s the case for your dog or cat, you can use GoodRx to lower the cost of the medication at your regular pharmacy, such as CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart.

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Here’s how to use GoodRx for pets for prescriptions that are available at human pharmacies.

How to use a GoodRx coupon at the pharmacy for pet medications

Using a GoodRx coupon at the pharmacy for a pet medication is similar to the process you use for any other prescription. Here’s what to do.

1. Find your GoodRx coupon

Find the price of your pet’s medication on GoodRx.com or the GoodRx mobile app. Type the medication’s name in the search bar and then select the correct medication form and strength at the top of the page. You’ll see a list of local pharmacies where your pet’s medication is available, along with prices for the medication at each pharmacy.

2. Get a prescription from your veterinarian

Ask your veterinarian for a physical (paper) prescription for your pet’s medication so you can take it to your local pharmacy. The prescription should include your veterinarian’s license number as well as all the information about your dog or cat’s medication.

In some cases, the prescription may also need to include your vet’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number to process a GoodRx coupon. A DEA number is usually only needed if your vet has prescribed a controlled substance, such as Xanax (alprazolam). 

Usually, the license number or DEA number will be listed on the prescription your vet’s office gives you. If you don’t see it, contact your vet. 

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3. Let the pharmacist know you’re using GoodRx

When you drop the prescription off at the pharmacy, let the pharmacist know you have a pet prescription and you’d like to pay using GoodRx. Pull up the GoodRx coupon for your pet’s medication on goodrx.com or the GoodRx mobile app. You can also bring a printed copy of the coupon if you prefer. 

Some human pharmacies aren’t able to fill cat or dog prescriptions, even if they’re for the same medications taken by people. So it may help to call ahead and make sure your preferred pharmacy can process your pet’s prescription. 

4. Know your pet’s birth date

Check your veterinarian’s prescription or ask the pharmacist what birth date they are using for your pet. When you pick up your pet’s medication, the pharmacist will likely ask for your pet’s birth date. Knowing this information can save time at the pharmacy counter and make things easier for your pharmacist. 

5. Pick up and pay for your pet’s prescription

When it’s time to pick up your dog or cat’s prescription, tell your pharmacist you’ll be paying cash with a GoodRx coupon. Present the coupon again if your pharmacist asks for it.

The process to fill a pet prescription at a human pharmacy is a little different than filling one for your own medication. For this reason, you may be asked to pay a slightly different price than what your GoodRx coupon says. But don’t worry: You will still save money.

Learn more about what to expect when filling a pet prescription with GoodRx here.

How much can you save by using GoodRx for pets?

When it’s time to pay, a GoodRx coupon may help you save as much as 80% off the cash price of your pet’s medication. 

The following chart shows how much you may save, on average, by using GoodRx for your pet’s medications. 

For more information on using GoodRx to save on human or pet prescriptions, please visit our Help Center. You can also call our GoodRx Advocates for assistance at 1-855-268-2822 (7 days a week between 8 AM and 7 PM CT).

Using GoodRx for pet-only medications

Some medications — such as flea and tick preventive medications — are only prescribed for pets. For instance, some medications for pets (such as Nexgard, Bravecto, and Trifexis) are not approved for use in humans. These medications are not typically available at your regular pharmacy. You’ll need to find a pet-only pharmacy.

You’ll still be able to compare prices for these medications on GoodRxForPets.com — and you may find that these prices are better than those at your vet’s office. You can also easily purchase your pet’s medication from GoodRxForPets.com and get it delivered directly to your house.