As more households welcome pets into their families, the demand for veterinary medications is growing—and independent pharmacies are in a prime position to meet it. By adding pet prescriptions to your offerings, your pharmacy can tap into a high-margin, high-loyalty niche that benefits both your business and your community.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider adding pet medications to your pharmacy offerings…
Pet ownership is rising—and so is demand for pet medications
With over 70% of U.S. households including a pet, the need for accessible and affordable veterinary medications has never been higher. Pet owners are actively looking for trusted providers that offer quality service, competitive prices, and convenient access to the medications their animals need.
Pet medications have high profit margins
Pet medications often yield higher profit margins than many human generics due to:
- Fewer pricing regulations
- The absence of insurance reimbursement restrictions
- Flexibility to set competitive yet profitable cash prices
Common pet prescriptions—such as flea/tick preventatives, antibiotics, and chronic care drugs are in high demand and typically paid out-of-pocket. This allows pharmacies to manage pricing effectively while providing valuable, accessible care to pet owners. The result is a steady and profitable new revenue stream with a strong return on investment.
Expanding your offerings increases customer loyalty
Offering pet prescriptions builds customer loyalty by providing added value and convenience. Families can fill all their households’ prescriptions at one location. This reduces hassle and strengthens the emotional connection between the pharmacy and its customers. It also positions the pharmacy as a full-service health destination, not just a stop for human medications. Loyalty builds long-term revenue and word-of-mouth referrals in the community.
Personalized pet care will differentiate your pharmacy
Unlike impersonal chain stores and faceless online retailers, local pharmacies can offer personalized attention and tailored services. This is especially appealing to pet owners who want trustworthy guidance on proper dosing, interactions, or formulations.
Independent pharmacies can stand out by providing compounding for pets, flavored liquid medications, and customized packaging that fits the needs of animals.
Partnering with local vets will build referral networks
Independent pharmacies can collaborate with nearby veterinary clinics and hospitals to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Vets may welcome the opportunity to refer pet owners to a trusted local pharmacy where medications are more accessible or affordable.
- In return, the pharmacy can refer clients to the vet for diagnostics, exams, or follow-up.
These referral networks build trust, improve local healthcare outcomes, and reinforce your role as an integrated community provider. Providing educational handouts or offering direct-to-vet deliveries can strengthen these collaborations further.
Pet prescriptions will expand compounding services
Some pets require compounded medications in special formulations, such as flavored liquids, transdermal gels, or tiny doses. Independent pharmacies with compounding capabilities can uniquely serve these patients, offering personalized solutions that large online pharmacies or vet clinics may not provide.
Compounding for pets sets your pharmacy apart and attracts pet owners seeking help with picky eaters, smaller animals, or non-standard dosing needs. It’s also a service veterinarians often refer out, meaning you can become the go-to local partner for complex pet medication cases.
Pet prescriptions increase opportunities for recurring revenue
Many pet medications are filled monthly, such as:
- Flea and tick preventatives
- Heartworm medications
- Chronic condition drugs
This presents a reliable, recurring revenue opportunity for pharmacies. Encouraging auto-refills, offering delivery, or sending out refill and pickup reminders can keep customers engaged every month. These regular touchpoints strengthen relationships and keep the pharmacy top-of-mind. Recurring sales also provide more predictable income, which is especially helpful for independent pharmacies.
Pet care fosters personalized patient interactions
Providing clear, accessible information on pet medication safety, dosage, and administration helps pet owners feel confident and supported, increasing their likelihood to choose your pharmacy.
Publishing tips on handouts or social media (e.g., “How to Give a Pill to Your Cat” or “Understanding Heartworm Prevention”) boosts engagement and positions your pharmacy as an expert.
When pet owners trust your guidance, they’re more likely to follow through with prescriptions, purchase recommended supplements, and return for future pet care needs, ultimately growing loyalty and revenue.
You can use your existing pharmacy systems
One of the best parts of adding veterinary medications to your services is that it requires minimal additional infrastructure. Most of the workflows, inventory systems, IVR systems, and compliance procedures already in place for human medications can easily extend to veterinary offerings. Many pet medications are human drugs used off-label, meaning pharmacies often already stock them or can acquire them easily. Adding a veterinary line doesn’t mean starting from scratch—it means expanding what’s already working. Plus, pharmacy staff can be quickly trained to handle common pet-related prescriptions.
Platforms like Lumistry’s Patient Relationship Management System can also support this expansion with tools that help manage refills, communicate with pet owners, and promote new veterinary services through email, text, or web. It integrates seamlessly into existing operations, making it easier to launch and scale a pet medication offering without adding extra complexity.
Ready to add pet care to your services? Check out our downloadable, step-by-step guide on how to get started.
