CVS pharmacies across Connecticut now fill prescriptions for cats and dogs

Drug store giant CVS Health is expanding further into the pet care business, announcing Wednesday that its pharmacies now fill common prescriptions for cats and dogs.

The Rhode Island-based retailer said all 9,000 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide, including about 180 in Connecticut, can now dispense many medications commonly prescribed by veterinarians, including antibiotics, insulin, pain relievers and treatments for allergies and flea and tick prevention.

Pet prescriptions will be eligible for many of the same services available to human patients, including automatic refills, prescription synchronization and, for some medications, home delivery.

Sid Tenneti, CVS Health's senior vice president and interim president of pharmacy and consumer wellness, said the move means the chain "can now serve every member of the family."

"Combined with our convenient locations, extended hours, and broad range of health and wellness products, we offer a true one-stop destination for care," Tenneti said.

Pet owners can bring a written prescription to a CVS Pharmacy or have their veterinarian send it directly to the pharmacy. Once the prescription is received, customers can pick up eligible medications in the store or have them delivered when available.

Customers can also add pets to their CVS.com accounts and manage eligible prescriptions through the CVS Health app, according to company officials.

Roslyn Guarino, a CVS spokeswoman, said the company plans to expand the number of animal medications it offers.

The move builds on CVS' existing pet business. The retailer already sells pet food, shampoos, flea and tick treatments, dental treats and other pet supplies in stores and online. Its Pet Central private-label brand includes grooming products, toys, cat litter, puppy training pads and other pet care items, with additional products expected to launch in September.

The expansion comes as Americans continue spending record amounts on their pets. The Stamford-based American Pet Products Association reported that U.S. pet industry spending reached $158 billion in 2025, up 3.7% from the previous year, and is projected to climb to $165 billion this year.

Market research firm IBISWorld said growing pet ownership has helped fuel demand, with dog and cat adoptions rising 4.1% in 2024. The firm said consumers continue to spend on premium pet food, specialized diets, supplements and services such as veterinary care and grooming, while competition from large retailers has intensified pressure on specialty pet stores.

Burt Flickinger, managing director of retail consulting firm Strategic Resource Group, called CVS' expansion into pet prescriptions "a brilliant strategy."

"By providing prescription drugs for people and pets, CVS has a real consumer advantage over the competition," Flickinger said. "It's going to give CVS an edge" over traditional drugstores as well as pet retailers.

The move also increases competition for pet specialty chains such as Petco and privately held PetSmart, both of which have expanded beyond retail merchandise into veterinary care, grooming and pet training as they seek higher-margin businesses.

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