Making sure your pet is healthy and happy requires a great deal of effort and careful time management. In a bid to save money and effort, a lot of pet parents turns to online pet pharmacies to replenish their stock of supplements and prescription pet medication. The quick online payment and free doorstep delivery provide a welcome alternative to going to supermarkets or pet stores.

However, not all online pet pharmacies are equal. There are several unreliable pet pharmacies that sell counterfeit drugs. Selling expired medicine by repackaging them is also a common practice. There are also pharmacies that promote and sell unapproved pet medications. They openly make false claims to attract buyers. Without proper oversight, these medicines can be anything from ineffective to downright dangerous.

While the risks are undeniable, you should not stop buying pet meds online. A much better approach is to identify a reputed online seller. Following are 5 easy tips to find a reputed online pet pharmacy.

Check VIPPS Accreditation: Most reputed online pet pharmacies proudly display their VIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accreditation on their website. This is an accreditation that  tells consumers that the website strictly follows the guidelines laid down by the NABP. This is a precise list of rules that tells online pharmacies how to store, sell, and dispose of pet medication. To double check their claim, it’s also a good idea to go to the NABP website to check if the online pharmacy is listed.

Check BBB Rating and Reviews: Better Business Bureau impartially rates all registered businesses and websites. Consumers can visit BBB website to checkout pet meds reviews and the overall rating of the online pharmacy. Checking independent reviews on online listing sites is also a good idea.

Reject If They Don’t Ask for a Prescription: Many online pharmacies and websites do not ask for a proper prescription. This should be an immediate red flag. It’s against the law to sell any prescription pet medication without the vet’s prescription. A reputed pet pharmacy would ask you to upload a digital copy of the prescription and only then would allow you to buy the medication online.

Ensure the Pharmacy is Based Out of United States: Business and websites that are operating from outside do not undergo the same degree of scrutiny. This is why it’s important to choose a pharmacy that has a physical location in the United States. This forces them to follow local regulations and guidelines.

Consult Your Vet and Ask for Recommendation: When it comes to the well-being of your dog, your vet knows the best. This is why it’s always a good idea to ask your vet for a recommendation. Vets may recommend certain online pharmacies or offer you a better rate on pet meds. You win either way.

Buying pet medications online should be an easy 1-2-3 process. Find a trustworthy online pet pharmacy that not only delivers genuine pet meds but also offers you a discount and an exceptional service.