The Ultimate Guide of Where to Buy Pet Food, Meal Kits, and Subscription Boxes Online
As much as I love perusing the aisles my local grocery store, I’ll admit that there are days where I truly dread having to make the trek out to the shops. Sometimes, it’s just easier to do your shopping from home — and that includes buying pet food (If you’ve ever had to carry a 15-pound bag of pet food home, you know exactly what I’m talking about). Thankfully, a slew of online pet stores are delivering everything from food and treats to meal kits and subscription boxes that’ll keep your furry friend fed and pampered all year long. Besides letting you shop an exhaustive range of top-quality brands from the comfort of your couch, many of them are also offering major discounts, making them perfect for the budget-conscious pet parents. Below, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite online sources — big and small — that are delivering everything from your pups favorite kibble to that one unique brand of cat food your favorite feline can’t get enough of. Here’s to finding the best food for our furry friends.
The Best Places to Buy Pet Food
Ziwi Peak Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food, Mackerel & Lamb
Chewy
Whether you have a dog, cat, or ferret, Chewy is the one-stop-shop for pets of all shapes and sizes (including horses!). They’ve helpfully categorized foods based on your pet’s dietary and health needs, which makes the whole shopping experience easy. In addition to having the choice to shop for grain-free and organic pet food from brands you won’t find elsewhere, you’ll also find tons of options for senior pets with very specific dietary requirements. Chewy lets you to select a delivery window, and based on the current updates on their site, most orders are being delivered relatively quickly. So feel free to snag a few treats or maybe even a fluffy bed for your fur ball while you’re at it.
Purina Pro Plan High Protein with Probiotics Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food
Petco
Almost all major pet food brands are available at Petco, along with a few smaller brands that source whole-food ingredients directly from family farms. As with Chewy, you have the option to filter your search based on dry food, puppy food, wet food, and grain-free options. They also have a vet-authorized food section with a selection that meets the needs of pets struggling with health issues or food allergies. Right now, you can snag 10 percent off your order if you shop online and pick up in-store. You can also set up repeat deliveries at intervals ranging from every two weeks to once a year, and score 35 percent off your first order.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken
$64.99 (was $68.99) at PetSmart
PetSmart
Another major pet retailer, PetSmart offers over 1,500 options of dog food and includes the most popular brands. The site is relatively easy to peruse, with tons of specific categories so you can whittle down the exhaustive choices based on your pet’s needs. PetSmart also has a new section filled with toys and treats that’ll keep your pet occupied and entertained. Right now, you can save 10 percent off if you order online and schedule a curb-side or in-store pickup. If you’d rather have your order delivered, expect your package to be dropped off in 5-7 days.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Tender Tuna Dinner
Amazon
From kitchen tools to furniture to live plants, Amazon is the quintessential one-stop shop for everything including pet food! There are hundreds of top brands to choose from, plus, you can sort through options based on rating, price, brand preference, or even the specific food type you’re looking for. Amazon also sells pet food in bulk, which is convenient and more economical in the long run. But if you have storage space constraints, you can break your order down by bag size. While this is great, the biggest pro to using Amazon is the 48-hour delivery window that’s available for Prime members.
Wild One Organic Baked Treats
Wild One
The millennial-forward pet brand is known for its chic and practical accessories like collars, leashes, carriers, toys, and furnishings. But they also stock healthy treats that come in a variety of flavors guaranteed to please your pup. The treats start at $9 per bag, but you have the option to subscribe and save 10 percent off all orders. While you pick up a bag of these “good-for-them” treats, feel free to add an adorable collar to the cart, too. It’s what they deserve!
Dr. Marty Nature's Blend Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food
PetFlow
PetFlow is a great option for all of your pet’s needs, including his chow. The online store stocks most major high-quality brand names you’ve heard of in the dry and wet foods category, as well as freeze-dried and prescription food options. The prices are 10-15 percent cheaper than list prices, and you can even snag free delivery on orders over $49. And with every purchase you make, a bowl of food is donated to a pet in need. Plus, right now, you can score 30 percent off your first order if you opt for auto-ship.
The Best Pet Subscription Boxes and Mail-Order Meals
BarkBox Subscription — 3 Months (3 boxes)
Bark Box
This monthly subscription service wins the award for the cutest themed boxes, hands down. Don’t believe us? Maybe Australian Outbark, The Muttcracker, Thankstuffing, or even Shakespeare in the Dog Park might convince you. Each box includes two toys, two very on-theme bags of treats, and a chew. This month’s box is Spa-themed, and seriously, we can’t even with how cute it is! Prices start at $22 and include free shipping. If you’re looking for fun toys or interesting treats for your pooch, we definitely recommend giving Bark Box a try.
Ollie
Ollie
Think of Ollie as a hassle-free meal-kit service but for your doggie. To start, you take a quiz, then Ollie recommends a plan to suit your needs, although you can easily change the proteins and/or how much of your pet’s food will be made up of Ollie (25 percent up to 100 percent). Plans start at $2 per day, and new customers can save 50 percent off their first box. The frozen meals come in vacuum-sealed packaging with dry ice and will stay good for up to six months. Meal options include beef, chicken, turkey, or lamb with other nutritious ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, and spinach.
PetPlate Full Meal Plan
PetPlate
Just like Ollie, PetPlate is another personalized meal service for pets. You start off by providing a few details about your dog — name, age, weight, and activity level — before choosing proteins (beef, turkey, chicken, lamb, or a combination) and plans. Based on your survey responses, Pet Plate figures out how many meals your dog needs (and how many calories), and offers plans with delivery frequency ranging from one to four weeks. You always have the option to adjust based on your preferences. While plans start at $1.50 per day, right now you can snag 50 percent off your first order.
Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Sampler
Smalls
Why should only dogs get all the gourmet meals? Smalls is a cat food delivery brand that creates healthy, delicious meals for the “discerning” cat. You have the option to pick from high-protein chicken or turkey and different kinds of pates. Or you could choose more crunchy and freeze-dried meal options. Smalls also lets you try out the service before you commit. Plans start at $32 with the option to customize your plan mid-way through the month.
The Farmer's Dog
The Farmer’s Dog
This company’s doggie quiz is the most involved of all the services (what kind of eater is your pup, does he/she ever get table scraps, etc.), which means meals are highly customized to your dog’s palate. You have the option to choose from turkey, beef, and pork recipes, all of which have fish oil and a proprietary nutrient blend. Everything is made fresh and delivered within days in eco-friendly packaging. Plans start at $2 per day and include free shipping. Right now you can snag 50 percent off your first order.
Pupbox
PupBox
If you’ve recently welcomed a puppy into your home, the monthly subscription boxes from PupBox are a fun way to train, entertain, and pamper your pet. Each box is customized to suit your puppy’s needs using factors like age and physical characteristics, and include toys, treats, chews, and accessories. A one-time box costs $39, but if you opt for a longer-term plan, it works out to be way cheaper. They also offer the option of customizing a gift box for new puppy parents.
