How to Save on Pet Food | A Dollar Wise

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Providing our pets with a complete and balanced diet is one of the most important decisions we can make for them. A diet lacking in proper nutrients or that is too high in calories can result in health issues – and even higher veterinary costs.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to provide your pet with a nutritious diet. The following tips will show you how to save money on pet food without skimping on quality. Always talk to your veterinarian before considering a new diet -especially if you plan to create home-cooked meals- or if you need specific food recommendations or guidance.

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Pricier Pet Diets Aren’t Necessarily Better

A complete and balance pet diet is one manufactured according to guidelines set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). It essentially means that the food manufacturer has formulated the diet to include all of the cat’s or dog’s essential nutrients in the correct amounts for a specific life stage. Another sign that a pet diet is nutritionally sound is if the company has board-certified veterinary nutritionists on staff.

Many of the conventional, cheaper pet food brands you’re probably familiar with already follow AAFCO guidelines. And you can often times find them stocked at pet supply retailers, grocers, and stores like Target. A diet that follows AAFCO guidelines will usually display a statement stating this on the label. If it doesn’t, you can always check the manufacturer’s website or ask them directly.

Though higher-end brands like Fresh Pet and Farmer’s Dog can be worth the investment, the conventional brands -provided they follow AAFCO guidelines- can be a good option, too. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations on the best pet food for your furred family member.

Find Coupons and Special Offers to Save on Pet Food

Using coupons and taking advantage of special offers can add up, especially when you can stack them with other offers. Here are a few places to find valuable pet food coupons.

Your Favorite Pet Food Company

One place to start is with the company’s website or social media page. Purina, for example, currently has an offers on its website for a $5 Purina ONE coupon in exchange for taking their 28-day challenge. It may also be worth it to register for company newsletters to be among the first to learn about special offers.

I’ve also found coupons on pet food boxes and bags for future purchases.

Retailers

Store sales flyers (mostly now digital), store apps, store websites, and newsletters are some of the best ways to get offers (like coupons and BOGOs) delivered to your inbox. Also check the bottom of sales receipts and in-store pet food displays. If you buy your pet food at Amazon, scan their Pet Supplies Coupons section before making a purchase.

Third-party Coupon Sites

Coupon aggregate sites like Coupons.com and JustFreeStuff post coupons and valuable offers, including for pet food.

Join Target Circle to Save on Pet Food

With Target Circle, I earn Target gift cards to use on store purchases, including pet food.

Once you register for Target Circle (it’s free!), go to My Wallet within the app, add the offer you want, then pull up the barcode for the cashier to scan. You can also give your mobile phone number to the cashier or use it at the checkout kiosk.

It takes no time at all to set up and is so easy to use.

As a Target Circle member, you’ll also receive 1% off your purchase and 5% on your birthday, which you can redeem for future purchases. You can also link Target Circle with your Red Card (Target’s branded credit card) for even more savings.

Try Cashback Apps to Save on Pet Food

Cashback apps like Ibotta work much like coupons, except that instead of handing it to your cashier (or inserting into the kiosk) at checkout, you earn a percentage back on your purchase. When you buy items at your favorite store -whether online or in-person- and upload your receipt to the Ibotta app, you’ll receive a cash reward.

Some of the Ibotta partner stores that offer pet food include Whole Foods, Chewy, Costco, Target, and PetSmart.

Save on Pet Food by Signing Up for Senior Discounts

If you’re a senior who buys pet food at grocery stores, you may be entitled to exclusive discounts. Hy-Vee, for example, offers its 55+ customers a 5% discount on certain days (Note that these offers vary by location). And at Harris Teeter, you can score a 10% discount if you’re 60 or over.

Keep in mind that you may have to register for a store’s (free) branded card to be eligible for the senior discount. And some items may be excluded from the discount. Saving 5% to 10% may not seem like a lot, but it really does add up.

Get Amazon Prime

With an Amazon Prime membership, you can usually get free shipping on purchases made at Amazon, and on 2-hour grocery delivery services at Whole Foods Market.

You’ll also receive an additional 10% off items displaying the yellow sales signs at Whole Foods, including on pet foods. Whole Foods Market sells a number of pet foods and treats, including Whole Paw (their label), Fresh Pet, and Wellness.

Try Amazon Prime free for your first 30 days.

Join Loyalty Programs

They’re usually free to join and reward you with points every time you shop.

With the PetSmart Treats Loyalty Program, for example, you can earn points and redeem them for products (and services), plus receive extras like a free surprise on your pet’s birthday and exclusive offers.

Consider Private Label Pet Food

Experts say you can save as much as 20% to 25% by buying generic foods. Provided the brand contains the nutrients your cat or dog needs (by following AAFCO guidelines) and your dog actually eats the food, it might be worth it to consider private label pet foods.

A few generic pet food brands to consider:

Whole Paws by Whole Foods Market
Wholehearted by Petco
Authority by PetSmart
Tylee’s by Chewy
Kirkland Signature by Costco

Opt for Auto-ship Delivery to Save Money on Pet Food

If you know you’re going to re-order a certain diet every month, it pays to look into auto-ship. Not only do you get the convenience of automatic delivery, but you can save a percentage off your purchase.

A few retailers that offer 5% off when you subscribe to auto-ship delivery:

Chewy: Plus free shipping on orders of $49 or more; and 35% off your first auto-ship delivery order .
PetSmart: Plus free shipping on orders of $49 or more; and 30% to 35% off your first auto-ship delivery order.
Petco: Plus free shipping on orders of $35 or more; and 35% off your first auto-ship delivery order.

Take Online Surveys to Win Gift Certificates

You won’t get rich by taking surveys, but if you have some downtime to devote, it’s a good way to earn gift cards.

Some legit survey companies:

Branded Surveys. Earn gift cards to stores like Whole Foods Market and Target.

SurveyJunkie. Score cash or gift cards to stores like Amazon and Target.

MyPoints. Win gift cards from retailers Walmart and Target

Enter Sweepstakes to Win Free Pet Food

When it comes to sweepstakes, there are no guarantees. Somebody has to win however, so why can’t it be you?

A few pet food and related companies that have offered sweepstakes in the past include Primal Pet Foods, Milk Bone, Great Pet Care, and Fresh Pet.

If you’d like to know where to find legitimate sweepstakes, my post offers some insights.

Ask your Vet for Food Samples Before Buying

Before committing to a certain diet (and to make sure your pet will actually eat the food), ask your veterinarian for free samples you can try. Veterinarians are also the best people to ask about the pet food that’s most suitable for your cat, dog, or other pet.

About Making Pet Food at Home

While making homemade dog food or cat food can save you some cash, creating a complete-and-balanced diet takes a lot of skill. You have to be able to include all the nutrients your pet needs in the proper amounts for optimal health. This is why most veterinarians I’ve spoken with through the years recommend against DIY dog or cat diets unless you know what you’re doing.

If you would like to consider making your own complete and balanced pet food at home, it’s highly recommend that you consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist for guidance.

This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support!