Pet food and supplies are among the fastest-growing e-commerce CPG segments. While the pandemic may be over, online shopping for these products has continued to grow. But how do you know if you are getting the best deal? Here are some proven strategies for saving money on pet food and supplies.
Look for Coupons
Pet parents spend hundreds of dollars yearly on food, treats, supplies, toys, and other pet products. Finding the best pet food deals is crucial for many families.
One way to find the lowest prices on pet food is by looking for coupons. You can get these from the manufacturer’s website or online coupon sites. It’s also good to shop around to see the average price. If you find a competitor selling the same product for less, ask if they will match the price. Most chain pet supply store websites, like Chewy.com, offer coupon programs and rewards to their members. Some offer online shopping with same-day pickup in the store, and some will ship to your home.
Compare Prices
Pet food can be expensive, especially if you have multiple pets. But it’s important to compare prices to find the best deals. Checking online, in-store, and local competitor prices can help determine if an offer is a good deal.
Check prices at some retailers and look for regular sales on popular brands and auto-ship discounts. Some pet-specific retailers also carry a wide selection of high-end premium foods that aren’t as easy to find at bigger stores.
Don’t forget to factor in the shipping costs when comparing prices. Some stores have cheaper rates than others, while some have higher shipping fees if you order more than one item or live in a remote area.
Use a Unit Price Calculator
Not every pet parent crunches numbers across spreadsheets and budget templates daily. But even without calculating, everyone knows that pet ownership can be costly.
When comparing prices, it is essential to compare the price per bag or can rather than the overall price. A higher price might mean the food has more quality ingredients or better manufacturing and processing. But it could be a premium name with pretty packaging or a bigger size.
Many pet food brands offer auto-ship discounts online. These can save you a lot of money and are often the best way to get a discount.
It can be expensive to buy and transport pet foods. Try to run all your errands for food and pet items in the same area to save on gas costs. You can also use a unit price calculator to determine which store sells the most cost-effective product. These can be found on most retailer’s websites or by doing an online search.
Use a Credit Card
While many pet owners have tried a variety of strategies to lower their cost per pound—shop local, shop loyal, wait for sales and coupons—the best way to find a great deal on dog food may be to use the right credit card. For example, the Credit One Best Friends card earns 5 percent cash back on pet food and supplies that appear on your monthly statement with merchant category code 5995. That includes purchases from dedicated pet stores, wholesale clubs, and superstores.
Purchase pet-related store gift cards at grocery stores that offer bonus-earning shopping categories may also make sense. That will normally allow you to take advantage of higher reward rates on these purchases (versus possible 1x earnings from buying directly from the pet store).
Online shopping for pet food and supplies jumped during the pandemic as brick-and-mortar retailers beefed up their online offerings. Many now offer same-day delivery via DoorDash or curbside pickup at their physical stores. Some also offer autoship programs that reward you for ordering regularly.
Shop Around
Pet-focused retailers offer a broad selection of name-brand dog and cat foods and accessories, health supplies, toys, and grooming products. They also often feature premium brands backed by vets and community-approved for their high-quality yet affordable prices.
Amazon is another popular one-stop pet shop. It offers various pet food brands, including those that are hard to find at some larger mainstream retailers, and an array of discount coupons.
Other ecommerce pet stores also have extensive pet-focused online inventory. They also typically offer generous first auto-ship discounts, saving you 30-35% on regular deliveries. Suppose you’re willing to stock up on bulk buys. In that case, many of these online pet retailers also allow you to silo your food runs into a loyalty account with other non-food supplies to take advantage of seasonal member promotions.
With these proven strategies, you can navigate the online pet food market and find the best deals without compromising the quality of your pet’s nutrition. By conducting thorough research, utilizing discounts and promotions, and taking advantage of bulk savings, you can ensure that your furry companion receives top-quality food at the best possible prices.
