Best Place to Buy Dog Food -Here is the need to know! A simple search on social media reveals that people in the United States enjoy spoiling their dogs, cats, and other pet animals. The number of pet products available in the United States is astounding, ranging from orthopedic pet beds to dog nail polish. When browsing online marketplaces, you can find a lot of this variety. Pet care products were not always widely purchased online; however, e-commerce sales of household and pet care goods have been steadily increasing over the years.
Although the future of online pet care appears to be bright, most Americans continue to buy pet products in physical stores, particularly when it comes to pet food. Big-box stores are the most popular places to shop for pet products, followed by grocery and chain pet stores. Those who prefer online channels do so for a variety of reasons. Some of the best benefits include lower prices, a more comprehensive product selection, and convenience. Furthermore, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a global impact on retail, driving up overall e-commerce use and sales. Because of the virus’s spread, more people in the United States purchase pet food and supplies online than ever before.
Best In-Person Places To Buy Dog Food
- PetSmart
PetSmart is the largest brick-and-mortar pet retailer, with approximately 1,650 locations in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico and a solid online presence. There is a wide range of dry, canned, and veterinary diets, as well as food toppers, fresh food, and frozen food.
On orders of $49 or more, PetSmart offers free shipping to most of the United States, and most items arrive within only a few days. If you need something quickly, DoorDash offers same-day delivery, or you can purchase online and use the curbside pickup. You can register for auto-ship with the frequency you want and a product discount.
- Walmart
With over 4,700 stores in the United States, there’s a good chance there’s one near you. Popular, more affordable brands such as Purina, Pedigree, and Iams can be found in stores and online. There’s also a more extensive online selection, including premium brands like Merrick and Canidae.
Other pet benefits include:
- In-store and online pet prescription filling.
- Discounts on pet insurance.
- Links to dog walking and sitting services.
- Petco
Petco operates over 1,500 stores in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Mexico. The store includes over 100 in-store veterinary clinics. A vast selection of dog food is available online, ranging from dry and canned to freeze-dried, fresh, and veterinary diets. The brand portfolio ranges from mainstream to high-end premium.
Petco offers free same-day delivery with no order minimum and a curbside pickup on many in-stock products in select locations. When you register for repeat delivery, you get food delivered for free, however frequently you want, and always at a discount.
- Hollywood Feed
Natural dog food brands such as Fromm, Orijen, and Acana are available at Hollywood Feed. Goats milk and meal toppers are among the options, which range from dry and frozen to freeze-dried and dehydrated.
This regional chain has 106 locations in 14 states and an extensive online presence. You can get a same-day curbside pickup, free shipping on orders over $49, and some items delivered the same day. The shop offers a price match guarantee as well as a satisfaction guarantee. There is an autoship program, and a Frequent Feeders rewards program in-store.
The shop also sells unique leashes, collars, other pet products, and a house brand for items like crates.
- Target
Target sells popular dog food brands such as Blue Buffalo, Iams, and Halo, as well as its Kindfull brand, which contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. There are no veterinarian diets or high-end premium foods, but over a dozen well-known brands are easy to find and reasonably priced.
Target has a plethora of shopping options. Pet owners can purchase products in one of the more than 1,900 stores across the United States, or they can be traditionally shipped. Shipping doesn’t cost a thing when you spend $35 or use your Target credit card.
Best Places To Buy Dog Food Online
Consumers in the U.S. shop online for pet supplies in 2020 because of the lower prices found on the web; more than 40% of pet-owning consumers in the United States purchased pet supplies online rather than visiting a store in 2020.
- Chewy
Chewy is the place to go if you want to buy a lot of dog food. During a recent search, there were over 2,000 dry food options and nearly 1,500 wet food options, as well as veterinary diets, raw food, fresh meals, and dehydrated food. Chewy customers appreciate that delivery is quick and that the company rarely runs out of stock, as some retailers do. There is excellent customer service available via email or chat, as well as frequent sales of wet foods and other pet supplies.
You get a discount on every order when you sign up for autoship, and you can choose the frequency so that unwanted food doesn’t pile up. Shipping is free on orders over $49 to most of the United States and takes one to three days. Most companies will ask you to donate food to a shelter or rescue if you need to return it.
- Amazon
You can stock up on your favorite dog food when you order everything from books to phone chargers from this massive retailer. Everything from high-end, hard-to-find brands to more affordable mainstream alternatives is available. If you have Prime, shipping is free and takes about two days. Shipping is free for orders over $25 if you are not a member (and it takes four to five days). You can save money by registering for regular food delivery from once every two weeks to once every six months, which you can cancel anytime.
If you’re looking for new food, Amazon makes it simple to search for products based on flavor, health benefits, food features, or life stage. The site also frequently stocks foods in a variety of package sizes. Some specialty natural and organic foods, such as homemade dog food, are only available to Prime members through Whole Foods Market.
Pet owners should note that some customers have had problems with fake or expired dog food products sold by third-party sellers. Because Amazon does not accept returns for items fulfilled by third-party sellers, it is best to buy food from Amazon or the manufacturer.
How To Decide Where To Buy Dog Food
- Prices
Many retailers will price match if the item is the same size and color as the regular price. Some retailers run frequent sales, particularly on popular brands, and will give you a discount if you sign up for subscription delivery.
- Shop Local
Local small businesses can also be an excellent place to look for dog food and vegetable ideas to feed your dog. Independent pet stores may not have a large selection of larger retailers online, but they usually have excellent customer service and knowledgeable staff. Some offer competitive pricing with chain stores and online retailers, as well as frequent buyer and point programs for discounts or free products.
In a Nutshell
There are various options for dog owners on how they can purchase dog food. For dog owners that choose to order online, the convenience of having dog food delivered to their door is heaven. When purchasing dog food, be sure to confirm the sell by date before paying.
