For quite some time, the only place to pick up prescription meds for your pet has been the vet’s office. This meant prices were relatively locked -- the vet has the medicine, so the vet sets the price. It also meant that if you needed to pick up meds for your pets, you’d have to travel to your vet’s location or order from a specialty shop. However, retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are beginning to stock pet medicine, offering customers a new choice in both price and convenience. Pet owners are no longer stuck with a single-source market for pet medication. Some pharmacies fill prescriptions for pets if the medicine is also given to humans (many treatments for common or minor ailments are the same for humans and animals). Others actually keep a stock of animal-specific meds; Walmart, Rite-Aid, and Target all keep animal medicines on-hand for pet owners needing to fill prescriptions. The best news? Pet prescriptions from retail pharmacies are often far cheaper than those picked up at the vet; some pet owners have reported savings of over 50% by simply picking up medicine at the pharmacy instead of the veterinarian’s office. If your pet needs regular medicine or has recently been given a prescription, make sure to check with local retail pharmacies before you fill the prescription to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal.