Virbac

About Virbac

Virbac's name comes from virology and bacteriology, the two fields its founder, veterinarian Pierre-Richard Dick, studied at the Pasteur Institute before starting the company in 1968. The pharmaceutical company dedicated to veterinary products was set up in a small three-room apartment in Nice, using the first letters of virology and bacteriology as its name. Today, it is one of the world's largest veterinary pharmaceutical groups, making dermatology, parasiticide, dental, and vaccine products for dogs, cats, and other species.

Virbac Product Range

Dental & Oral Care: The C.E.T. line covers enzymatic toothpaste, dual-ended and mini toothbrushes, dental water additives, and enzymatic or HEXtra dental chews sized for extra small through large dogs, plus dental treats for cats. Virbac marked the 25th anniversary of C.E.T. Home Dental Care, calling it one of the most tenured and respected veterinary dental brands on the market.

Dermatology & Skin Care: Medicated shampoos such as Allergroom moisturizing shampoo and Keratolux shampoo help manage dry, itchy, or scaling skin and greasy coats in dogs and cats. These products treat allergies, fungal infections, and bacterial skin conditions and can be used between veterinary dermatology visits.

Ear Care: Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser is made for routine ear maintenance. It removes wax and debris, reduces odor, and works well for dogs prone to ear irritation or infection.

Flea & Tick Control: Preventic tick collars protect the pet directly, while Knockout area treatment sprays treat the surrounding home. Together, they cover both the animal and the environment against fleas, ticks, and larvae.

Joint & Mobility Support: C.E.T. VeggieDent Flex + Joint Health chews clean teeth and support joint health at the same time. They're sized from extra small to large breeds, so most dogs can get both benefits from one daily chew. These joint chews for dogs fit easily into a daily routine since they double as a dental treat.

Calming & Behavior: Anxitane chewable tablets use L-theanine to ease situational stress without sedating the pet. Virbac makes separate formulas for cats and small dogs versus medium and large dogs, and they're commonly given ahead of travel, vet visits, storms, or other predictable stressors.

Prescription Medicine & Antibiotics: Biomox (amoxicillin) oral suspension and Ayradia (metronidazole) oral suspension treat bacterial infections in dogs under veterinary prescription and supervision. These labels note that federal law restricts the drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Nutritional Supplements & Recovery: Kidney and digestive support supplements, along with recuperation formulas for pets recovering from illness or surgery, round out Virbac's supplement lines for dogs and cats. Vets typically recommend these alongside a broader treatment or recovery plan.

Why Buy Virbac from HardyPaw?

• Authentic Products: Every Virbac product on HardyPaw ships from an authorized supply, so you get the real formulation your vet prescribed.
• Licensed Pet Pharmacy: HardyPaw is a licensed pharmacy that handles prescription upload and verification for Rx Virbac products.
• Competitive Pricing: Virbac dermatology, parasiticide, and dental essentials cost less than in-clinic pricing without a drop in quality.
• Fast & Reliable Delivery: Orders are processed quickly, so your pet doesn't go without their regular medication or preventive care.
• Dedicated Customer Care: Our support team is there to help you track an order, manage a refill, or work through checkout.
• Convenient Autoship Options: Set up recurring deliveries for parasiticides, dental care, and other regulars so your pet never misses a dose.

Why Vets Trust Virbac?

• Decades of Innovation: Virbac's history includes some of veterinary medicine's foundational products, including the first parvovirus-based vaccine approved for dogs.
• FDA-Regulated Manufacturing: Virbac's US facility is an EPA and Food and Drug Administration-registered facility that manufactures most of the company's EPA and FDA-regulated products.
• Global scale: The company operates in more than 100 countries through 36 subsidiaries, with roughly 6,400 employees worldwide as of 2025.
• R&D spending: Virbac spends about 8% of sales on R&D, funding new veterinary therapies.
• Origin: A practicing veterinarian founded the company to serve animal health rather than adapt existing human medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Virbac?

Ans: Virbac is a French animal health company founded in 1968. It makes medicines, vaccines, and preventive care products for dogs, cats, and other animals, and is now one of the larger veterinary pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Q2: Is Virbac safe for dogs and cats?

Ans: Virbac products go through FDA or EPA review, depending on the product type and how it acts in the animal's body. Prescription items need veterinary oversight and dosing guidance. OTC items are labeled for safe at-home use as long as you follow the directions.

Q3: Do I need a prescription for Virbac products?

Ans: Some Virbac products, such as antibiotics and certain topical steroids, are prescription-only and carry a federal caution restricting their use to licensed veterinarians or by their order. Others, like items from the C.E.T. dental care line and calming chews, are available over the counter.

Q4: What conditions does Virbac treat or prevent?

Ans: Virbac makes products for flea, tick, and other parasite prevention, skin allergies and infections, ear irritation, dental plaque and tartar, joint stiffness, situational anxiety, and bacterial infections that need antibiotics. In short, it spans most of what comes up in routine pet care and a few prescription needs too. 

Q5: How long has Virbac been in business?

Ans: Virbac has been around since 1968, when veterinarian Pierre-Richard Dick founded the company in Nice, France. It started out making antibiotic powders for local vets, then grew over the following decades into vaccines, dermatology, dental care, and parasiticides, and now sells in more than 100 countries.

Q6: Are Virbac products FDA or EPA-approved?

Ans: Yes. Virbac's prescription drugs carry FDA New Animal Drug Application approval numbers on the label, which means they passed FDA review for safety and effectiveness. Some topical parasiticides fall under EPA pesticide rules instead, since drugs and pesticides are regulated by different federal agencies.

Q7: Can I use Virbac calming or joint chews on puppies and kittens?

Ans: It depends on the specific product. Formulas differ by strength and ingredients, and many are sized for a pet's breed and weight. Anxitane, for example, comes in one formula for cats and small dogs and a different one for medium and large dogs. When in doubt, your vet or the product label will tell you if it's right for a young pet. 

Q8: What is Virbac's C.E.T. line used for?

Ans: C.E.T. is Virbac's dental care line: enzymatic toothpaste, dental chews, water additives, and toothbrushes designed to reduce plaque and tartar buildup in dogs and cats. It's been on the market for decades and is meant to be used as part of a regular home dental routine.

Q9: Is Virbac a trusted global brand?

Ans: Yes. Virbac operates in over 100 countries through dozens of subsidiaries and ranks among the top veterinary pharmaceutical groups worldwide by revenue and scale. It has a multi-decade record of vaccine and medicine development, and it introduced several treatments that were the first of their kind for companion animals.