What is PAWP dog?

Editorial team Published on

Pawp is a 24/7 digital veterinary telehealth service and pet care membership designed for dogs and cats.

How Pawp Works

  • 24/7 Virtual Access: Connect with licensed veterinarians and veterinary nurses via text or video chat at any time, day or night.
  • Unlimited Visits: Use the Pawp App for on-demand check-ins, behavioral advice, nutritional guidance, and non-emergency health questions without waiting for office hours.
  • Personalized Care Plans: Receive actionable follow-up routines and health goals tailored specifically to your dog.

Membership and Pricing

  • Base Membership: Costs $99 per year and covers up to six pets (dogs and cats) under a single account.
  • Walmart+ Benefit: Included at no extra cost for active Walmart+ Members.
  • Emergency Protection: An optional add-on feature providing up to a $3,000 emergency fund reimbursement for one unexpected, life-threatening medical crisis per year.

Is Pawp a real vet?

Pawp is a real virtual veterinary telehealth service staffed by licensed, registered, and certified veterinary professionals, but it is not a physical clinic or pet insurance company.

How Pawp Works

  • Staff: The platform employs licensed veterinarians, nurses, and vet technicians who each have at least five years of clinical experience.
  • Access: Members get 24/7 unlimited access to text and video chats through the Pawp app for advice, teletriage, and care plans.
  • Limitations: Because it is virtual, the staff cannot perform physical exams, hands-on treatments, or routine annual vaccinations. Prescriptions are also limited and only available in select states under specific conditions.

Emergency Fund

  • Pawp is not pet insurance, but memberships can include an optional emergency fund feature.
  • This fund provides up to $3,000 for one covered, life-threatening emergency per year, which must be pre-authorized by a Pawp vet via video before you arrive at a physical clinic.

Is Pawp free with Walmart?

Yes, a standard Pawp membership is included for free with your Walmart+ membership.

What is Included

  • 24/7 access: Unlimited virtual visits, chats, and video calls with licensed veterinarians and techs.
  • Care plans: Personalized post-visit action plans for your pets.
  • Savings: The standard base membership value is $99 per year, provided at no extra cost to active Walmart+ subscribers.

What is Not Included / Extra Fees

  • Emergency protection: The optional $3,000/year emergency fund coverage is separate and may involve an extra cost if you opt in.
  • Upgrades: Premium plans or additional specialized services offered directly via Pawp will be billed separately.

How to Activate

  1. Open the Walmart app and tap the W+ icon.
  2. Find Free Pet Care with Pawp in your Benefits Hub.
  3. Select Get Started / Activate to link or create your Pawp account.
  4. Download the Pawp mobile app to set up your pet profile.

Do Pawp vets prescribe medication?

Yes, Pawp veterinarians can prescribe medication, but only in eligible states during a scheduled Prescription Visit.

How Prescription Visits Work

  • State rules: Prescriptions are not available in every state because laws vary. You must check Pawp's Eligibility & Prescription Visit Availability to see if your state qualifies.
  • The exam: A licensed veterinarian evaluates your pet via a video chat. A visit does not guarantee a prescription, as it is always up to the vet's professional discretion.
  • Cost: Scheduled prescription visits start at $35, which is separate from general membership access.
  • Fulfillment: Once prescribed, you can order the medication through the Pawp Online Pet Pharmacy or take the prescription details to a local pharmacy of your choice.

Does Pawp actually work?

Pawp works well for 24/7 virtual veterinary advice, but its $3,000 emergency fund has strict limitations and mixed customer reviews regarding payouts.

How the Telehealth Works

  • 24/7 Access: You can text or video chat with licensed vets and vet techs anytime.
  • Best Uses: It works great for minor questions, behavioral tips, and deciding if you need an in-person vet visit.
  • Limitations: Virtual vets cannot prescribe medications or perform physical exams.

How the Emergency Fund Works

  • The Safety Net: It offers up to $3,000 for one life-threatening emergency per year, covering up to six pets on one plan.
  • Strict Rules: To qualify, a Pawp vet must approve the emergency via video call before treatment, and you must get to a clinic within 8 hours.
  • The Catch: The independent claims administrator decides if the condition is truly "life-threatening," meaning many claims get denied if the final medical records do not match that exact standard.

What Customers Say

  • Positive Feedback: Users on ConsumerAffairs praise the fast, reassuring advice for everyday health scares.
  • Complaints: Users on Reddit and the Better Business Bureau report frustration when emergency reimbursement claims are denied after a vet told them to go to the ER. Others cite difficult auto-renewal billing practices.

Pawp Membership Review 2025 | Pros and Cons – Honest & Unbiased

9 related questions found

Can Pawp prescribe flea medication?

Yes, Pawp can prescribe flea and tick medications in eligible states after a virtual veterinary evaluation.

How It Works

  • Consultation: You must book a separate Prescription Visit (starting at $35) to have a licensed vet evaluate your pet.
  • Approval: Getting a prescription depends on the veterinarian's medical judgment during the visit.
  • Availability: Prescription services are subject to state telemedicine laws and are not available in every state.

Available Medications

Pawp can prescribe common preventive treatments, such as:

  • Bravecto (dogs and cats)
  • Simparica (dogs)
  • Frontline Plus (dogs)
  • NexGard and Credelio

Does Pawp cover vet visits?

No, Pawp does not cover routine in-person vet visits, checkups, or standard treatments.

What Pawp Covers

  • Virtual Visits: Your Pawp base membership includes unlimited, 24/7 digital check-ins and video or text chats with licensed veterinary professionals.
  • Emergencies: If you opt into their emergency fund add-on, Pawp covers up to $3,000 for one unexpected, life-threatening medical emergency per year. A Pawp vet must approve the emergency before you head to an in-person clinic.

What Pawp Does Not Cover

  • Regular annual exams, vaccines, or parasite prevention.
  • Routine prescription medications, routine bloodwork, or non-emergency X-rays.
  • Standard in-person vet visits or scheduled surgeries.

How much does Pawp cost per month?

Pawp costs $24 per month for their combined standard plan, which includes 24/7 unlimited virtual vet access and a $3,000 emergency fund. Alternatively, you can opt for their standalone Base Membership at $99 per year (averaging about $8.25/month) if you only want the virtual clinic without the emergency fund.

Pricing & Plan Breakdown

Plan OptionCostFeatures Included
Standard Monthly Plan$24 / monthUnlimited 24/7 video/text vet visits, personalized care plans, and a $3,000 annual emergency fund for up to 6 household pets.
Base Membership$99 / yearUnlimited 24/7 video/text vet clinic access for up to 6 pets. (Does not include the emergency fund).
Emergency Add-on+$19 / monthCan be added to the Base Membership at any time to unlock the $3,000 emergency fund.

Important Details to Know:

  • Multi-Pet Coverage: Both plans cover up to 6 dogs or cats in the same household for the exact same flat rate. Your monthly price will not increase based on your pet's age, breed, or pre-existing conditions.
  • Prescription Visits: If you need a prescription consultation, it is an additional cost starting at $35 per visit (available only in select states).
  • Free Options: If you are a Walmart+ Member, you get the 24/7 virtual vet clinic (the $99/year base membership) entirely free. Certain credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire line, have also historically offered promotional statement credits for the annual fee.

Note: There is an initial 14-day waiting period before you can use the $3,000 emergency fund.

What is the $98 charge from Walmart?

The $98 charge from Walmart is typically the annual fee for a Walmart+ Membership subscription, plus any applicable taxes.

What is Walmart+?

  • A paid delivery and savings program similar to Amazon Prime.
  • Provides free shipping with no order minimums and free grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more.
  • Includes gas discounts, video streaming options like Paramount+ or Peacock, and other perks.

Why You Were Charged

  • New Signup: You or someone with access to your account recently signed up for the annual plan or finished a 30-day free trial.
  • Auto-Renewal: Your annual subscription automatically renewed for another year.

What are people saying about Pawp online vet services?

Check out Pawp to access their 24/7 digital veterinary telehealth and emergency fund services.

Reviews for Pawp are mixed, showing high satisfaction with daily telehealth advice alongside heavy frustration regarding emergency fund claims and billing practices.

What Customers Like

  • 24/7 Access: Quick response times via chat or video to ask general health questions or get reassurance during late-night scares.
  • Staff Quality: Many users on Trustpilot praise the veterinary professionals for being kind, knowledgeable, and compassionate.
  • Peace of Mind: Helpful for deciding whether an expensive or stressful late-night emergency clinic visit is truly necessary.
  • Multi-Pet Coverage: A single membership covers up to six household pets.

Common Complaints & Criticisms

  • Emergency Fund Hurdles: Users on platforms like the Better Business Bureau and social media groups report difficulty getting their $3,000 emergency fund claims approved, noting strict pre-authorization rules and case-by-case denials.
  • Billing and Renewals: Negative reviews frequently cite unexpected auto-renewals and a rigid no-refund policy.
  • Service Limitations: Because it is a virtual platform, vets cannot physically examine pets, run labs, or prescribe medications in most states.