Pet medication sales are on the rise.
Chewy.com is seeking to claim a share of the $9 billion-a-year U.S. pet medications market by opening an online pharmacy.
Called Chewy Pharmacy, the operation launched on Monday. It’s a “full service online pharmacy for pet parents to shop for prescription medications as well as receive helpful information about pet care, health and wellness from certified and licensed pharmacists,” according to the company.
Chewy, based in Dania Beach, FL, was acquired last year by PetSmart for an undisclosed sum. It operates largely as an independent subsidiary.
Pet medication sales have been on the rise. Packaged Facts, a market research firm, said last year it expected sales to rise 10 percent over the previous year.
“Looking ahead, Packaged Facts believes that pet medications will be one of the highest growth areas of the petcare industry during the next decade, as animal health companies develop new blockbusters that are still on patent—and thus somewhat resistant to price competition,” the company said.