In this guide-

+ Background of online pet supply stores
+ Features and functions to look for in pet supply sites
+ How to find the best pet supply site for you

This short guide was created to help you understand the basics of shopping for pet supplies online and to help you choose the right pet supply site for you. We do not sell any pet supplies ourselves, so you can be assured that all of the information in this guide is independent and unbiased.

Background of online pet supply stores
Buying pet supplies- even large bags of food- doesn't require running across town to grocery and/or pet stores to find various food, medicines and other pet-related items anymore. Whether you need a new running wheel for Harley the hamster, some prescription heartworm medication for Zeus, or some new catnip for Sienna, you can now get just about whatever pet supply you need online. There are some differences among online pet supply stores and some things to pay particular attention to when comparing sites and services.

Features and functions to look for in pet supplies sites
If you think that shopping online for pet supplies would fit your needs, there are a few things to look for when shopping for the right pet supply company or web site for you.

** A note on prescription medicines: you can buy prescription pet medicine online, but it does require a prescription from your pet's veterinarian to fill the order. Most online pet supply stores will give you a few options of getting your prescription to them for fulfillment: by faxing the order with a copy of the prescription; by having the veterinarian call the pet supply store; and by mailing the order and prescription to the pet supply store. Once the prescription has been received and processed by the pet supply store, it will be tied to your account so that you can go back online and place your order for the medicine.**

Price- of course, price should be a consideration for any purchase you make, including pet supplies. All other things being equal, it usually makes sense to go with the service that offers the lowest price. However, don't make price your only criteria for choosing the best pet supply site.

Selection- finding just the right pet supplies for your loved pet(s) is important, and there can be a significant difference in selection among pet supply stores. Don't just stop on the first site and pick something- do a little bit of browsing among sites first. As you visit the various pet supply sites, check out the selection as it might surprise you how many different products are available, for all sorts of animals.

Timing- timing can be important for getting your pet supplies, especially food and medicine. When shopping pet supply sites, find out how long it takes to ship the pet supplies, when they will be delivered, and if expedited shipping is possible. The better online pet stores allow you to set up recurring shipments, so that you know that Zeus's dog treats are going to be there on time automatically.