Vet pharmacy: buying your pet’s medicine online.
Find out how to order your pet’s medication online. It could save you money - and save your vet fees limit too.
Why use an online vet pharmacy?
Save on your pet’s prescriptions
Buy your pet’s medication from an online vet pharmacy and you could save money.
Maximise your insurance limits
Save the vet fees limit on your pet insurance for when you need to make a claim.
Order online 24 hours a day
Order your pet’s medication easily online and get it delivered direct to your door.
What is an online vet pharmacy?
With a vet pharmacy, you can order your pet's medication online for home delivery. You just need to provide a written prescription from your vet when you place your order.
You can usually get your pet’s medication cheaper at a vet pharmacy. However, it’s important to note that, at times, it’s better for your pet’s wellbeing to buy their medicine direct from your vet.
At Tesco Pet Insurance, we’ve partnered with VioVet.
When to use an online vet pharmacy
Online vet pharmacies are a great way to save money on your vet bills. And they’re super-convenient too. But only for non-urgent drugs or repeat prescriptions, once your pet’s condition is under control.
If your pet needs urgent treatment, or immediate relief, don’t wait to get their drugs delivered. Get your pet’s medication directly from your vet. And always follow your vet’s advice.
How to use an online vet pharmacy Follow our 3-step guide, from visiting your vet to making a claim with Tesco Pet Insurance.
1
Get advice from your vet
Talk to your vet about your pet’s condition and get a written prescription for the drugs they need.
2
Buy your pet’s medicine online
Order your pet’s medicine from an online vet pharmacy, like VioVet, using your vet’s prescription.
3
Claim on your pet insurance
Submit a claim through our Pet Portal. Use the self-payment option, upload your invoice and tell us it’s from a vet pharmacy.
Our trusted partner: VioVet
At Tesco Pet Insurance, we’ve partnered with VioVet. They're an online vet pharmacy, accredited by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
VioVet are one of the UK’s leading online suppliers of pet foods, pet medication and pet accessories. And they can supply the medicine your pet needs.
Help for Pet Insurance customers
If you’re a Tesco Pet Insurance customer, find out how to manage your policy, check your documents or make a claim.
Vet pharmacy FAQs
Yes. Buying from an online vet pharmacy is usually cheaper than buying from your vet.
Yes, but it’s nothing to worry about. Your vet should help you to get your pet’s medication in the easiest, most cost-effective way.
Make an appointment to see your vet. Tell them everything about your pet’s condition. At the end of the consultation, ask your vet for a written prescription.
Your vet can’t refuse to give you your pet’s prescription if you ask for it. However, they may charge you for the time it takes to write it out.
It could take your vet 24 to 48 hours to get your prescription ready, so it’s always best to call ahead.
Yes, your vet’s allowed to charge you for a prescription. But the charge must be reasonable.
They’re not allowed to discriminate against you if you ask for a prescription - for example, by charging you more for other goods or services.
We’ll cover the cost of the prescription if you make a claim, as long as you submit the receipt.
Not necessarily. Some online vet pharmacies are cheaper than others, so it’s best to shop around.
When shopping at an online vet pharmacy, check if they’re:
- approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate - look for the VMD Accredited Retailer badge on their website
- a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Yes. When you order from a reliable vet pharmacy, a pharmacist will check your order and prescription. You can’t accidentally order the wrong drug or dosage.
No. Although you can buy your pet’s medication online, you can’t get a prescription from an online vet in the UK.
By law, your dog or cat needs to be examined by a vet in person before a prescription can be written.
An online vet pharmacy might reject a prescription for a specific reason. For example:
- Out-of-date prescription: make sure your prescription is up to date. If it’s expired, you might need to get a new one from your vet.
- Early reordering: some pharmacies won’t accept prescriptions if you’re trying to order another dose of treatment too soon. You should always follow the recommended dosage intervals.
- Unregistered RCVS reference: a vet pharmacy might reject a prescription if the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) reference given by your vet isn’t registered or isn’t valid.
- Prescription form errors: mistakes on the prescription form - for example, the wrong dosage.
Contact us
Need to talk to someone about your pet cover? We’re here to help.