The Best Dog Food Stores

Wednesday, June 18th

2025 Dog Food Store Reviews

Chewy

• Fantastic selection of 7,000+ dog food options
• Save 35% on your first autoship delivery (5% thereafter)
• Free shipping on orders over $49
• 365-day return window
• 24/7 customer service
• Free online vet help from 6AM-midnight
• "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
• In business since 2011

Chewy is probably the biggest name in online-only pet supply stores. The company was created in 2011 with the mission to provide the service and convenience of your trusted local pet store, but with the speed and easy shopping of e-commerce. Because they have multiple warehouses throughout the US, most orders are delivered in just 1-3 days. No wonder Chewy has over 20 million active customers.

Over 7,000 options for dog food

You probably don't want to just start browsing among the 7,000+ options for dog food here. Fortunately, the site is super-easy to shop: put it in the search bar if you're buying something familiar, or use the filters to zero in on something new you'd like to try.

Test case #1: plenty of Cesar wet food to choose from

But, to give you a sense of the inventory here and to make an apples-to-apples comparison across all of the dog food retailers on our list, we chose two products that are not only popular among pet owners, but also on the preferred list of our experts' own furry friends: Taste of the Wild Grain-Free dry dog food in any flavor (for their day-to-day meals) and Cesar wet dog food in any flavor, used as a mix-in with the kibble when they're feeling picky. How did Chewy do? For the Cesar dog food, even though we searched for "wet”, we did get some dry options in our 117 results. And, as you might expect, you're not going to find any single-package options here; that's pretty common when you're buying online from a dog food store that doesn't also have a brick-and-mortar presence. But, we were pleased with the variety overall, from $8.49 for a 6-tray package of Filet Mignon and Grilled Chicken (3 of each) to $66.36 for a case of 24 Wholesome Bowls with chicken and chicken/veggie varieties.

Test case #2: everything you could want from Taste of the Wild

And Taste of the Wild? Chewy seems to carry it all. The selection seems slim at first, until you realize that under each flavor option there are multiple flavors and sizes. For example, when you click on the Taste of the Wild Pine Forest 28-lb bag, it'll show you sizing options of 5, 14, and 28 lbs. in multiple flavors (like Southwest Canyon, Wetlands, and Pacific Stream). Helpfully, they keep the grain-free varieties separate from the "ancient grains” ones, so you don't accidentally give your grain-sensitive pooch something that's going to make him sick.

In-depth product info to guide your choice

Chewy really goes the extra mile to help you make the right food choices for your dog's needs. For instance, there's a helpful explainer video on the Taste of the Wild options (and many of the other brands as well) if you want to learn from Chewy's team of experts. Scroll down and you'll be able to see what Q&As have already been tackled, or ask something that you'd like to know. And, of course, there are usually hundreds of customer reviews (some with photos, yay!) you can consider to see how any particular kibble or canned food has gone over with others' pets. Best of all, Chewy offers 24/7 customer support, whether you want to double-check an ingredients list or get a recommendation for something new to try for your senior pupper who doesn't have the same appetite as she used to.

Savings when you set up automatic shipments

Like many of the dog food stores on our list, you can set up your Chewy orders to autoship - and get a discount for doing so. You can expect to save 35% (up to $20) on your first automatic delivery, and 5% on all the shipments that follow. And, keep in mind that you'll have to spend over $49 to get free shipping - which is pretty average in the dog food world.

365-day return and refund policy

But, the first area where Chewy really stands out is with its 100% satisfaction guarantee. You have 365 days to see if that new brand or flavor is going to be a winner; if not, you can return it or replace it, hassle-free. (We've even heard some customers say that Chewy has told them, "Donate what you have left to the animal shelter of your choice. Just let us know if you'd like a refund or a replacement.”)

No-cost consultations with veterinarians

And, one absolutely above-and-beyond service that Chewy provides at zero cost is the chat-with-a-vet feature. It's available every day from 6AM to midnight, and you only need to be signed into your Chewy account to access it. You can exchange messages, photos, even videos with an online vet or vet tech and get advice (though they clarify that they don't prescribe, treat, or diagnose). We've personally used this service more than once - don't dogs always seem to get sick on a Friday evening when the regular vet is closed? - and it's so reassuring to be able to work with a professional who can help you make the call between "this can wait until tomorrow” and "this merits a trip to the emergency vet”.

Compassionate customer service

Finally, Chewy is one of two dog food stores we know of that sends condolences to pet parents when their faithful friends cross the "rainbow bridge”. You'll see review after review from people who said that when Chewy found out that their pupper had passed on, they received everything from a bouquet of flowers to a painted memorial rock, a lovely card, and so on.

"A+” from the BBB

All that being said, is it going to be a big surprise that Chewy earns an "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau? As you'd expect from a huge online retailer, this dog food store does get its fair share of complaints, but that grade means that the BBB thinks Chewy is handling all of them the way that they should.

Some negative reviews, but well-loved overall

We were surprised, though, to see that Chewy's current average on Trustpilot was only 3.5 stars across 12,000+ reviews. It seems that, when it comes to pet meds, people are having more issues than before; most of the 1-star rants we found made reference to problems in that department. Others have had challenges getting promotions to apply accurately to orders. But, beyond that, the vast majority of customers are super-happy with Chewy, from selection to service and beyond - especially for dog food.

Still the top pick for buying dog food online

Despite having a few more negative reviews than we would hope to see, we still give Chewy our highest rating and our first-place finish among dog food stores. You can't beat the benefits they offer, from free consultations with vets and vet techs to a year-long satisfaction policy. And, there's something to be said for any company that goes to the lengths Chewy does to support grieving pet owners after a loss. Chewy continues to get our tails wagging, earning 5 stars.

PetFlow

• Over 1,700 different options for dog food
• 10% discount on all auto-ship deliveries
• Free shipping on orders over $49
• Customer service available from 9A-10P EST
• "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
• Over 50,000 5-star reviews
• In business since 2010

PetFlow is an online-only retailer of dog and cat food, treats, and beyond. They've been around since 2010 and carry almost 300 carefully-selected brands to keep your pet happy and healthy.

Lots of dog food brands and flavors

PetFlow carries over 1,700 options for dog food, in brands ranging from A(cana) to Z(ignature). We took a quick peek to see which brands had the most options, and some of the best-stocked names included Royal Canin (119 between the regular and veterinary diet), Stella & Chewy's (75), Purina (99 across One, Pro Plan, Pro Plan Veterinary, Dog, and Puppy), Merrick (69), and Hill's (158 betweenScience and Prescription Diets).

Test case #1: Cesar easily available in both single and multi-packs

But, in order to make a fair comparison across all of the dog food stores on our list, we looked for two specific brands: Taste of the Wild (for dry food) and Cesar (for wet food). PetFlow had no problem stocking our pantry with those two options. It was easy to get Cesar in multi-packs of a single flavor or in a variety, ranging from $14.98 for a 12-pack of the Breakfast & Dinner Mealtime Variety Pack for small breeds, to $32.97 for a 24-pack of Home Delights.

Test case #2: fully-stocked with Taste of the Wild kibble

PetFlow also had everything we wanted to see for Taste of the Wild's kibble: all of the flavors our dogs love, from Southwest Canyon to Sierra Mountain, and in all of the available bag sizes. The prices were on par with rivals too, from $19.99 to $58.99. However, we noticed that shipping was only free on the 28-lb bag (because the free shipping threshold at PetFlow is "over $49”).

Look for ways to save

Keep an eye out for extra savings, too. We got a pop-up discount offering 10% off if we provided our email address, and there was a sitewide sale on pet meds that would have been useful if we were also stocking up on our doggos' heartworm prescriptions while buying their food. And, if you set up your dog food to be restocked automatically, you'll save 10% on every scheduled delivery.

Terrific track record with the BBB

PetFlow's reputation is fantastic. The company has earned an "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with just 3 complaints filed there in the last year. Better still, over 150 people have taken the time to leave reviews for PetFlow with the BBB, averaging a noteworthy 4.63 out of 5 stars. Those reviews describe some pretty awesome customer service policies (like replacing food that a pet didn't like and just asking the owner to donate the rest of it), credits for toys that got destroyed far too easily, and extremely responsive support overall.

Over 50,000 5-star ratings

Jumping over to Trustpilot, the average is slightly lower (4.2/5) but there are over 50,000 five-star reviews there. We found a few complaints about deliveries, like canned food arriving dented or longer-than-average shipping times, but for the most part, customers are super-happy with the experience at PetFlow. There are compliments from repeat shoppers who are always thrilled that the dog food they need is available here, and more praise from first-time shoppers who were impressed by some way that the customer service team went the extra mile (from 9A-10P EST).

Limited return policy

The only drawback to buying dog food here is the return policy. PetFlow doesn't accept returns or offer refunds on any opened products, and they encourage shoppers to choose carefully to avoid any disappointment. Of course, you can't predict what your dog will or won't like, necessarily. This downside is one of the reasons why PetFlow gets a great rating from us, but not quite our highest score (in addition to the fact that our #1 pick offers a few more perks).

Excellent choice for dog food

Still, there's a lot to love about PetFlow. You should have no trouble finding the dog food you need, and you'll get terrific customer service at the same time. 50,000+ top score reviews can't be wrong. The next time you need to replenish your pet food pantry, give PetFlow a try.

Nom Nom

• Pricing based on your dog's needs
• Pre-portioned dog food customized to your dog's unique needs
• 4 recipes formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
• Made fresh, gently cooked, shipped cold
• $20 sampler pack
• Made in the USA
• Deliveries within the lower 48 states
• Money-back guarantee on first order (within 30 days)
• "A+” rated by the BBB
• In business since 2014
• Over 3 million boxes of fresh food delivered

Nom Nom got its start in 2014 in a San Francisco apartment kitchen. Since then, the company has delivered over 3 million boxes of gently-cooked, veterinary nutritionist-designed fresh dog food within the continental United States. This is no stale kibble or can of mystery meat. If you've ever wanted to make your dog's food from wholesome, fresh ingredients but just don't have the time, Nom Nom will be your new best friend.

50% discount on your first order

When you first reach the Nom Nom website, you'll probably be offered a 50% discount on your first order. Just click through all of the "get started” buttons to take the quiz that will allow Nom Nom to customize your doggo's dinners. You'll be asked your dog's name and gender, breed, and age. And, don't worry: if you've got a whole pack to feed, you can add more pets later on.

Lose, gain, or maintain?

You'll also be asked to enter your dog's weight and indicate if he is overweight, underweight, or just right. Whether your pupper needs to lose, gain, or maintain, Nom Nom's food will be perfect to do just that.

4 main meal types

How about diet-related issues? Maybe he's gotten picky lately (or has always been that way), his coat is dull or flaky, or he's got allergies or a sensitive stomach. On the next page, you'll get the meals recommended for what you've entered, but you can select the variety you think your pet will prefer. On offer at Nom Nom are the following meals:

• Beef Mash: beef, potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas
• Turkey Fare: turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach
• Chicken Cuisine: chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach (Nom Nom's most popular)
• Pork Potluck: pork, potatoes, green beans, squash, kale, mushrooms

Several ways to add and customize

You'll also be offered some add-ons, like full-spectrum probiotics. Feel free to add them to your first order, to every order, or decide later if you want to give something new a try. Also, if you want to have multiple recipes in your delivery (not just Chicken Cuisine but also Pork Potluck), you can do that once your account is set up. Be aware that it comes with a $5 surcharge per delivery (but not per dog). Another option is to enable automatic recipe rotation, so it's something new each month. That way, you can avoid the extra fee and then mix-and-match from what you have in the freezer. (Meals can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months.)

Prices are customized too

Once you've entered your name, address, and phone number, you'll be shown how much you'll pay. It's a bit of a mystery during the setup: they only show you dollar signs and not a dollar amount for each of the menu choices, more than likely because it depends on the size of your dog and the quantity needed to keep him well-fed. For our 30-pound mixed breed who could stand to use a little weight, we were quoted $46.31 for the first two weeks of food. That included the 50% discount we mentioned, and shipping was free. After that, the dog food would be billed and shipped every four weeks at a price of $35.98 per week.

You'll need some freezer space

Are you thinking what we're thinking? "Where do I keep four weeks of fresh pet food?!” Yes, it's true that because Nom Nom ships four weeks of meals at a time, you'd better have a larger-than average freezer - especially if you're feeding more than one doggo. Nom Nom recommends that you defrost each meal for 24-48 hours before feeding time, but you can also put the sealed meal packs in warm or hot water. They just don't recommend microwaving them.

Try a $20 sampler pack

Not quite sure you want to jump in with both feet? We get it. If you click around a bit, you'll find a $20 sampler pack. It comes with one of each of the recipes (200g for each one), so you can see if it passes your picky pooch's sniff test before making the commitment to the trial or the longer subscription.

30-day refund on your first order

But, there's even one more way that Nom Nom wants to set your mind at ease. They say that "if you don't see the benefits of a fresh diet within 30 days of receiving your first order”, you can request a refund of that initial order or see what other ways they can help. Maybe you just need to try a different recipe or a different quantity. Don't hesitate to reach out via email or live chat if that's the case.

Reputation is definitely on the upswing

We're glad to report that Nom Nom has a greatly-improved reputation since our previous review. The company now has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, with just two complaints filed in the last three years. (We'll point out, though, that there were two BBB listings for the same company, and one of them did have 24 complaints in the last three years.) BBB aside, there's also much more feedback elsewhere, and it's mostly positive. For example, across nearly 1,600 ratings on Trustpilot, Nom Nom earns an average of 4.2 stars and over 1,100 5-star reviews. It's great to see so many verified reviews from customers who say that this high-end dog food is worth the money, especially for sick or elderly dogs who might have lost their appetite for traditional kibble.

Recent reviews despite out-of-date site copyright

It was also a relief to see raves from customers within just a few weeks of our review, because the Nom Nom website copyright date was over 3 years old when we visited - so even if the site isn't being updated, rest assured that the company is still in business.

Fantastic dog food if you can afford it

Nom Nom has made a big jump up in our rankings. It's wonderful to see a dog food company that takes pet health so seriously - and that now has the customer satisfaction track record to match. Although we can't give Nom Nom our highest rating, simply because what they offer isn't going to be the right fit for many dog owners (on price alone, but also freezer space), we're really pleased to be able to give this dog food company a high rating.

Amazon

• Over 4,000 dog food options
• Subscribe & Save available on some products
• Free same-day and overnight delivery on many dog food items
• Thousands of ratings on many products

We've all come to rely on Amazon to get us almost everything imaginable, from groceries to garden tools, Christmas gifts to everyday items, and so much more. Does a day even go by without seeing their branded trucks criss-crossing the town? The good news is that if dog food is regularly on your shopping list, Amazon has no problem in keeping you well-supplied with over 4,000 options to choose from - across several dozen brands like EUKANUBA, Pedigree, Freshpet, Primal Pet Foods, and many more. Amazon also has its own brand, Wag, that might have a similar formula to what you're currently spending big bucks on, so don't forget to check that out too.

Test case #1: "meh” for Taste of the Wild

Let's take a look at how Amazon measured up with the two dog food brands we used as a comparison for each of the retailers on our list. Our first selection was dry dog food from Taste of the Wild. Amazon was missing a few flavors we're familiar with (like Southwest Canyon), and they labeled others in ways that were strange (listing Sierra Mountain as "Grain Free” and Pacific Stream as "Grain Free Adult”, even though the Beef and Pine Forest varieties are also grain-free). Even when we went to the Taste of the Wild "store” on Amazon, there were no "featured offers available” on most varieties, leaving us with clicking on the "see all buying options link” and paying a lot more through third-party sellers. It wasn't the smooth experience we were used to having when we bought this specific dog food from Amazon in the past. (And that's a shame, because we remember it being a little cheaper than competitors.)

Test case #1: ample multi-pack options for Cesar

Our second selection, Cesar wet dog food, was a little easier to shop for. Amazon carried lots of multi-pack options, and it was really obvious which ones came with free overnight or one-day delivery. So, if you figure out as you're going to bed tonight that Fido is going to be frantic in the morning if you don't get restocked ASAP, you can easily place your dog food order on Amazon and have it on your doorstep before he even goes out for his first bathroom break of the day tomorrow.

Get discounts when you subscribe

Another time-saver is Subscribe & Save - and it gets you a nice little discount, too. If your dog food is eligible for this feature, you'll get a 5% savings on your first order and up to 10% on subsequent shipments. However, you'll typically need to have more than one product on automatic delivery to qualify for the highest discounts; fortunately, it can be any eligible products, and that's not limited to dog food (or even pet products in general).

Thousands of customer reviews

Also, because Amazon is so popular, many of the dog food choices have hundreds or even thousands of ratings from other customers. For example, the Purina ONE True Instinct with a blend of turkey and venison had over 21,000 ratings when we looked, and it had been ordered more than 3,000 times in the last month alone. If you're not sure about switching your puppy to an adult food, or you want to try something new that other people's dogs have loved, those reviews will give you a good benchmark for which dog food to consider.

Returns/refunds probably not possible

What about returns? Here's what Amazon has to say about that: "Pet food and similar products are not returnable to Amazon, but may be refundable.” From what we could tell, that only applies if your dog food arrives damaged or defective in some way. Compare that with some of Amazon's closest competitors (online-only stores), especially those that focus on pet products alone, and you'll see why this puts Amazon lower in our rankings. When those rivals can deliver almost as quickly as Amazon, while also giving you a hassle-free refund policy, which one would you choose if you wanted to try a new brand of dog food or you wanted the most risk-free purchase possible? (Probably not Amazon.)

Great choice when you need dog food ASAP

But, if you're already a Prime member (and who isn't, these days?), there's a lot to be said for Amazon's selection of dog food and the convenience of same-day and overnight deliveries. It's enough to earn Amazon a well-deserved rating, but we do encourage you to look at some of its rivals on our list first. If time isn't necessarily a factor, you might be swayed by those retailers' customer-friendly return policies. Otherwise, don't hesitate to use Amazon for your next dog food order if they've got what you need.

Only Natural Pet

• Specializes in organic dog food
• Free shipping on orders of $49+
• Discounts when you sign up for Auto Delivery
• 60-day return policy (but you pay for the shipping)
• "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
• Certified B-Corporation
• In business since 2002

Only Natural Pets is on a mission "to create happy pets and happy people”. Since 2002, this Boulder-based company has served over a million pets and their people companions, focusing on products that are good for the planet too. Everything you'll find in their inventory has been approved by a holistic veterinarian and is made with 100% responsibly-sourced ingredients. Plus, as a Certified B-Corporation, ONP has demonstrated its commitment to upholding the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and social/environmental performance.

Unique dehydrated and freeze-dried dog food options

Only Natural Pet makes its own freshly-prepared, nutrient-dense and balanced dog food. You'll find the usual dry kibble and wet canned options, but what they carry that you might not have seen before are their air-dried, dehydrated raw, and freeze-dried raw food options. The dehydrated option in particular is a great space-saver: a two-pound bag yields eight pounds of food when rehydrated. You simply add warm water and your doggo's dinner is good to go. But, don't expect this to be a money-saver: in order to make 28 pounds of food (the biggest comparable bag of kibble), you'll be spending $76.49 for a seven-pound bag of dehydrated food. That's about $20 more than you'd spend on a rival brand of all-natural dog food, for reference.

Discounts when you auto-ship

However, if you sign up for Auto Delivery, you'll get a discount of 35% on your first shipment, and subsequent deliveries will be at a 10% savings. That applies to any dog food you might buy from Only Natural Pet, not just their own brand. And, as long as your order totals at least $49, you'll get free shipping.

Test case: limited selection for Taste of the Wild

While ONP's proprietary brand is center stage here (go figure...), you can still find some well-vetted brands known for offering high-quality dog food. That includes one we used as a test case across all of the stores we evaluated, Taste of the Wild. However, the selection was much smaller than we found on most rivals' sites: the only grain-free variety was the Wetlands flavor, and it was only available in the 5 lb. size. If we were shopping for our dogs' usual 28 lb. bag, we'd be out of luck with Only Natural Pet. But, other brands you can find in the dog food section of this store include Open Farm, Stella & Chewy's, The Honest Kitchen, Nature's Logic, Fromm, and Tripett, to name a few.

Generous 60-day refund policy

How about returns? It can be tricky trying out new brands (or new formats, like dehydrated) on our furry friends, so a good return policy is always welcome - and Only Natural Pet's is pretty solid. You've got 60 days to return any product for any reason, including picky palates. But, the one catch is that you're responsible for the return shipping. You can reach out via email or toll-free number to request your refund and make arrangements to send the dog food back.

Mixed feedback but the food is usually well-liked

Only Natural Pet has the Better Business Bureau's highest rating ("A+”) and accreditation, with just six complaints filed in the last three years. The retailer itself doesn't have a lot of feedback, and what's out there is relatively mixed: on Trustpilot and Sitejabber, for instance, there are only a couple dozen reviews, and they don't average over 2 stars. Ouch. On the other hand, when you look at individual products, from dog food to supplements, you'll often find hundreds of 4- and 5-star ratings. And, when we looked at Only Natural Pet's reputation with some of the third-party retailers that also carry its products, the positive vibes were the same: dog owners tend to think pretty highly of this brand.

Better than average

Still, that mixed feedback for Only Natural Pet itself is enough to drop it in our rankings a bit. We still think this is a great place to get dog food that lives up to a higher standard, but it's going to miss the mark for lots of people searching for their tried-and-true, not-organic big brand. That plus the fact that some customers feel iffy about the company itself are the reasons why Only Natural Pet scored a lower rating from us: still above average, but not in our top tier.

Walmart

• Over 1,000 dog food choices from 20 brands
• Thousands of customer reviews to consider
• Easy options for in-store pickup, same-day delivery, or shipping
• Save with a W+ membership
• Manufacturer offers available

Walmart is probably the most budget-friendly place to get everything that's currently on your shopping list - including dog food. Do we even need to explain further, when you've probably got at least three Walmarts within easy driving distance? (Or at least one if you don't happen to live in an urban/suburban area...)

All the staple dog food brands

It shouldn't surprise you that Walmart carries basic brands of dog food - so anything you might have to visit a pet shop to buy (or even a specialty feed store), you're not likely to find it on Walmart's website. You'll be limited mostly to the tried-and-true brands like Pedigree, Purina, Blue Buffalo, IAMS, and so on, among the 20 brands Walmart sells. But, there are over 1,000 dog food options to choose from, even with some higher-end formulas like grain-free or digestive care, if your pupper needs that.

Test cases: 50-50 results

That being said, Walmart didn't have any dog food from one of the brands we looked for as an apples-to-apples comparison, Taste of the Wild. It wasn't really a surprise, given Walmart's approach to low prices; Taste of the Wild focuses on higher-quality ingredients and isn't what we would call "budget-friendly”. On the other hand, Walmart had no availability issues with the more traditional brand we used in our comparison, Cesar. There were over 282 options to choose from. And, it was nice to be able to buy just a single package at a time (in case we wanted to let our dog try something new without committing to a whole multi-pack). Of course, if you do want to buy a bunch at once, Walmart carries Cesar (and other brands) in larger packs too: we found a 24-pack of Home Delights for $32.97, and there was a $3 Walmart Cash manufacturer offer to bring the price down even more. Walmart is a price leader, and that includes dog food.

Check out the thousands of reviews on some dog food products

Not sure what to get? Check out the customer reviews on individual dog food items at Walmart: some products have over 12,000 of them. That's an advantage of shopping at a huge retailer like Walmart; even though they don't specialize in pets, they can still show you what most people are saying about the dog food you're buying.

Take note of the shipping/delivery/pickup availability

Just pay attention to the delivery options: not all dog food is available for shipping. Some options are designated strictly for in-store pickup of online orders or same-day local delivery. It makes the W+ subscription worth considering if you're going to be ordering your dog food frequently from Walmart - you'll save money on both delivery and shipping (while in-store pickup is always free). W+ is often offered at a discount, and you may even spot an offer for a 30-day free trial as you shop.

Refunds and returns are not likely

What if your dog doesn't like the food you get from Walmart? The retailer typically has a 90-day return policy. However, that doesn't apply to non-perishable items, which we assume includes dog food. And, it typically refers to new, unopened products. So, if you're ready to experiment a little with your pet's provisions, we'd recommend starting with a small bag, can, or loaf first - because it's not likely that you can take it back if it's been used and refused by Rover. That's one downside in comparison with some of the stores on our list that specialize in pet products.

Good enough for basic dog food

There's no big reason not to get your dog food from Walmart, if they carry the food your dog needs and it's convenient to buy it there (along with your groceries, the supplies for your home project you've been putting off, and just about anything else you could need). However, the drawbacks are the obvious ones (like not carrying some well-known, higher-end brands or not allowing easy-peasy returns and refunds on opened dog food containers.

Target

• 500+ options for dog food
• Plenty of choices for shipping, in-store pickup, or same-day delivery
• Frequent deals on pet products
• Lots of customer reviews and replies from the manufacturers
• 90-day return window on unopened items

Is it time for a Target run? If you're out of dog food, the answer might be a big "YES!” Fortunately for you, it's never been easier to do your shopping trip virtually: just shop online, add everything you need to the cart, and have it sent to you or ready for pickup - you don't even have to go inside. (And that might be better for your wallet anyway...)

Test case #1: no specialty brands here

Target carries just over 500 options for dog food, mostly in the typical grocery store brands you'll recognize (like Purina, Pedigree, Blue Buffalo, and IAMS). You might find a few specialty brands as well, but Target didn't carry the one we used as a comparison across dog food retailers (Taste of the Wild). We weren't really surprised by that; it's just worth pointing out.

Test case #2: solid selection of Cesar

However, on our other comparison product (any wet dog food by Cesar), Target was decently-stocked with almost 50 results. And, unlike a lot of the retailers we evaluated, Target had options for purchasing just one item instead of a whole case: we could order a single pouch of Wood-Grilled Chicken Filets in Gravy for less than a dollar or a single loaf in multiple flavors. That's a big win if you've got a particular pooch and you're not sure he's going to like something new that goes in his bowl. And, if you do need to stock up, you could get the 36-loaf variety box for just $40.99.

Pet product promos

Plus, you know Target is the king of sales - and at the time of our review, there was a promo offering a $10 gift card with the purchase of three select pet food/treat items (including many of the dog food options we looked at).

Lots of ways to get your dog food

How would you like to get your dog food? Because Target is, well, everywhere, you should be able to choose among free delivery, in-store pickup, and even same-day delivery. It's easy to see at a glance if any dog food you're considering is available at your favorite Target location (or to check nearby stores if not), or by when you could expect to have it on your doorstep if you opt for shipping.

Reviews, responses, and returns, oh my

Target's popularity also means you can almost always see a ton of shopper reviews on any dog food you might buy. One Cesar option alone had over 300 ratings that averaged a perfect 5 stars. Jump down and read through them and you might even spot some cute pupper photos. We also noticed that the manufacturers themselves respond to reviews, particularly the negative ones. That's a big plus, because Target's general return policy is 90 days on unopened products - but if the brand itself says "Hey, let us make it right”, why not? Also, we know that Target is often much more generous than their policies state, so there's absolutely a chance that if Rover's new kibble doesn't agree with his tummy, you might be able to take it to your local store and get your money back.

Just "good enough” for dog food

At the end of the day, Target isn't a bad choice for dog food - if you find the brand(s) you need. It's also an obvious one-stop shop for all of the items on your shopping list, for pets or people alike. But, because the inventory is missing some of the brands we know and love, and we're not 100% sure that you can get a refund if something you try out is a miss instead of a hit, we give Target a middle-of-the-road rating as a dog food retailer.

Wysong

• Sells its own brand of high-quality dog food
• Frequent buyer program
• Free shipping on orders of $80+ in the continental US
• Save 10% on auto-ship deliveries
• In business since 1979

Wysong has been feeding dogs a holistic canine diet since 1979. Their tagline proudly proclaims that they offer "the thinking person's pet food”, because of how carefully-crafted and nutritionally sound their products are. As you might have guessed, there are no other brands offered through Wysong's online store.

3 categories of dog food

There are three main categories of dog food you'll find here: Natural Dry (traditional kibble-style), Canned, and True Non-Thermal Freezedried. Interestingly, most of the dog food sold by Wysong is suitable for both dogs and cats (and even ferrets). Let's take a look at a sample of some of those products, to give you an idea of what you'll see when you visit the online store:

• Epigen 90: if you're already feeding your dog a grain-free kibble, this is the equivalent. It's starch-free and has a high percentage of meat content, as well as pro- and pre-biotics, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. It's priced at $31.09 for a 5-lb bag, $112.99 for a 20-lb box, and $223.98 for a 40-lb case.
• Archetype Chicken: this is Wysong's original raw dog/cat food diet. It's never heated above 118°F but is rather freeze dried raw. It also contains plant nutrients, nutraceuticals, pre- and pro-biotics, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients; you'll see things like barley grass, chia seed, plums, and carrots on the ingredient list. It also comes in quail and rabbit varieties. Prices for Archetype Chicken are $21.89 for a 7.5-oz bag or $238.79 for a 12-pack, but both were backordered at the time of our evaluation.
• Canned dog food: Wysong makes varieties for adult dogs, senior dogs, and also their Epigen line. However, all canned food was on backorder when we visited. Expect to pay prices starting at $4.79 for a 12.5 oz can.

Cut corners as a frequent buyer

If you're looking to save a bit of money, pay attention to the "$0.50 credit corners” on your 5-lb. bags of Wysong dog food. When you've saved up at least 20 of them, you can mail them into Wysong for a coupon as part of their frequent buyer program. Just indicate if you're planning on redeeming that coupon directly with Wysong or with another retailer.

Save 10% with auto-ship

Another way to get a discount is by setting up your Wysong order with auto-ship. It'll get you a 10% discount on every delivery.

Customer feedback is mediocre

Reputation-wise, Wysong doesn't come out looking so great. For starters, the Better Business Bureau gives the company an "F” rating; however, given that it's for failing to respond to a grand total of two complaints that have been filed with the BBB in the last three years, that doesn't seem like much cause for concern. And, the ratings for the dog food itself are relatively mixed - but we had to go to third-party retailers of Wysong products just to find them, because there aren't any provided on the brand's own website. Some customers are devoted to Wysong; they love the multi-purpose nature of the food (not having to buy something separate for their dogs and cats... or ferrets) and say that it's a big hit. Others complain that their pets don't find the food to be very appetizing, or that there seem to be unannounced formula changes that don't sit well with their pets' digestive systems.

Below-average refund policy

And, that could be a problem, considering that Wysong doesn't allow for returns on opened packages of food. You might find a different policy in place if you shop at a third-party retailer of Wysong products (like the #1 dog food store on our list), but the 30-day return window when you buy directly from Wysong only applies to unopened items. They put it like this: "Since Wysong does not specifically formulate for taste, smell, consistency, color or other factors unrelated to healthful nutrition, these factors would not be considered a quality issue justifying credit for the return of opened or partially used products.” Okay then!

Not our favorite dog food

Wysong is definitely a niche product: you've got to be really committed to their approach to feeding your dog if you're willing to pay those prices (and face the possibility of your pupper's favorite food being out of stock the next time you run out). And, it's a risky experiment to try Wysong with no refunds allowed on opened packages; rival dog food stores make it a lot easier (and less costly) to take a chance on something new. If all other dog food options have failed and you're desperate for something that your dog will actually eat, you could give Wysong a try - but you might want to get it from a third-party retailer for better availability and more customer-friendly policies.

PetSmart

• Over 1,600 types of dog food to choose from
• Easy options for local delivery or free in-store pickup
• Save with automatic deliveries (35% discount on first order, 5% thereafter)
• Free shipping with complimentary rewards program membership
• In business since 1987

PetSmart proudly says that they have "anything for pets”, from in-store vet clinics to over 400,000 training classes hosted every year across 1,600+ stores in North America. In operation since its founding in 1987, PetSmart is also well-known for facilitating pet adoptions - more than ten million of them.

Carries well-known brands

So, how about dog food? Overall, PetSmart carries most of the brands your dog probably knows and loves. There were over 1,600 dog food items in the inventory during our visit, from makers like CANIDAE, Hill's Prescription Diet, Royal Canin, and many more. Chances are good that if it's on the shelf at your local supermarket, it's on the virtual "shelf” of PetSmart's online store.

Test cases: disappointing results for both

Unfortunately, when we looked for the first of our two comparison brands for dog food - Taste of the Wild kibble - PetSmart came up empty. In fact, searching just for "Taste of the Wild” resulted in a list of bird seed options, plus a hooded cat litter box. (?!) The results for Cesar wet food were better, but they were still a lot more limited than PetSmart's rivals: just 33 total results, ranging from $1.29 for a single "loaf” to $46.99 for a 36-count pack of 6 different beef and chicken flavors.

Subscribe to save

But, if you do find the dog food you need at PetSmart, it would be a good idea to consider setting it up for automatic deliveries. You'll get a 35% discount on the first shipment (up to $20 max) and 5% on subsequent deliveries.

Join the free rewards program

To qualify for that discount - and for many other perks at PetSmart - you'll need to create a complimentary Treats account. It's PetSmart's rewards program, and your benefits will be based on your annual spend. For yearly purchases totaling $499 or less, you'll get 10 points per dollar, free shipping to your home on "select orders” of $49+ (they don't really explain what makes an order eligible), members-only pricing, a birthday or "gotcha day” gift, and so on. If you spend between $500 and $999, PetSmart considers you a "Bestie” and gives you extra points on your purchases, an annual gift, and a few other upgraded perks. Finally, spending $1,000+ earns you "VIPP” status, with even more points on every purchase and a holiday gift, in addition to all of the perks of the first two tiers.

Check the top of the site for promos

There may be other ways to save at PetSmart, depending on what's in place when you're ready for your next order of dog food. During our visit, there was a $10 savings on orders of $50+ when we selected free same-day delivery from our local store. You may spot something else when you go to shop, so pay attention to the top of the page.

Tons of customer reviews on dog food

Of course, there are other advantages to buying dog food from a huge retailer that has brick-and-mortar locations (beyond the obvious one of being able to order online and pick it up in store or have it dropped off on the same day - big win when we've forgotten yet again to get some while we're out and our dogs are hungry RIGHT NOW). The biggest one is probably customer reviews: scroll through any of the kibble or cans in the inventory, and you're likely to see thousands of ratings and comments. PetSmart's best-seller seems to be the Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach - Salmon/Rice variety, with over 3,800 ratings. On this product and any other dog food, you can scroll through the reviews (and see some cute doggie photos) or even search by your dog's breed to focus on the comments from other owners with the same kind of pet.

Not the best rating from the BBB

So, with all of that, why is PetSmart so low on our list of dog food stores? To start, the company as a whole has only earned a "B-” from the Better Business Bureau. It's not uncommon for big businesses with lots of retail locations to have complaints, and PetSmart's 500+ of them in the last three years isn't excessive - but the BBB isn't happy that the company didn't respond to a handful of them. And, in scrolling through the complaints left there, a fair amount of them were related to issues with online orders.

60-day returns, unopened products only

We also aren't thrilled with the return policy here: we love that it's a 60-day window, but it's only for items in "new, saleable condition”. To put it another way, if Fido turns his nose up at that gigantic bag of dry food you offered him, PetSmart doesn't do anything to help out - and many competitor dog food stores do.

Not our preferred place to get dog food

We're just not all that excited about what PetSmart has to offer. The selection falls short (as it did with our search for Taste of the Wild), the store's reputation is mid-tier at best, and the return policy is not very generous. Unless you need the convenience that comes from having a PetSmart retail location near you, you might want to shop for your dog food from a store that's higher on our list (though some of PetSmart's higher-ranked rivals do have a brick-and-mortar presence too).

Petco

• Competitive pricing
• Excellent selection
• Free shipping on orders of $35+
• $10 or 10% savings on orders of $50+ with in-store pickup or local delivery
• Extra discounts when you sign up for autoship
• Vital Care reward program (complimentary and paid options)
• 60-day return policy
• In business since 1965

Petco is one of the biggest names in pet supplies, including dog food. You'll find more than 1,500 retail locations in the US, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, some of which even include in-store veterinary hospitals, dog training, grooming, and more. In business since 1965, this pet-focused retailer is a logical place to go for everything your furry pal needs, especially with thousands of dog food options conveniently offered through its website.

Test case #1: great selection of Taste of the Wild

To make a fair comparison across all dog food stores, we looked for our own pups' favorite selections: any flavor of Taste of the Wild Grain-Free kibble and any flavor of Cesar wet dog food (for those days when they're feeling picky and won't eat until we mix in a little something extra). How did Petco do with those test cases? We were impressed. There were multiple flavors for the Taste of the Wild dry dog food, from High Prairie to Sierra Mountain, priced from $20.99 to $58.99 for small (usually 5 lbs.), medium (usually 14 lbs.), and large (usually 28 lbs.) bags. Those prices were lower than our local specialty pet food store, but on par with most of the online dog food stores on our list.

Test case #2: small selection of Cesar

The selection was less stellar with the Cesar wet food: when we searched for "Cesar wet”, there were only 21 options. It started with a Wholesome Bowls Chicken topper for $2.95 and went up to a 24-pack of Cesar Home Delights for $45.36, but that one was out of stock at the time of our visit.

Repeat Delivery saves you money

If you're the forgetful type, you can set up your dog food to come by Repeat Delivery. You'll see the price in the cart: it'll reflect a 35% discount on your first order and a 5% savings on all subsequent ones.

Lots of delivery choices

And, of course, Petco offers an extra layer of convenience by having so many retail locations near you. The site should automatically detect the one closest to you (though if you live in a metro area with multiple stores, you may want to check that your preferred location is the one that shows up), and you can easily click the box to just see the dog food that's in-stock for same-day delivery or in-store pickup. At the time we were shopping at Petco, we could save $10 off an order of $50+ if we chose same-day delivery, or 10% off an order of $50+ if we shopped online and picked up in-store.

Dog food gets a lot of reviews

We like that Petco makes it so easy to see what other dog owners think about each type of food that they sell. Most varieties had hundreds or even thousands of customer reviews to consider. Remember that Taste of the Wild High Prairie kibble we mentioned? That variety alone had over 5,000 ratings, averaging an impressive 4.5 stars. (No wonder our dogs like it too!)

60-day return window

But, maybe you try a new brand or flavor and your pooch rejects it outright. Now what? If you bought it through Petco, you can return it within 60 days to a store near you (or to a Petco warehouse via mail) for a full refund. That's double the length of time this dog food retailer used to give customers, so we're happy to see that they've taken that step to be extra shopper-friendly.

Get rewarded with Vital Care

Finally, you might want to look at Petco's Vital Care rewards program. The Core tier is free and gets you members-only pricing and offers, points back on every purchase, and other discounts. If you upgrade to the Premier tier for $24.99/month or $239.88/year, you'll get $15 in monthly rewards automatically, 10% off on every purchase of dog food, plus extra savings on grooming and veterinary care.

Reputation is the worst

With all of those seemingly fantastic reasons to buy dog food at Petco, you're probably wondering why the retailer ranks so low on our list. In a word, reputation. That hasn't improved at all since our previous evaluation - in fact, Petco's track record has even gotten worse. The retailer gets an "F” from the Better Business Bureau, for failing to respond to or resolve some of the nearly 1,000 complaints filed with the BBB in the last three years. And, as before, far too many of those rants relate specifically to online orders. People in gated communities had their orders come via DoorDash when they chose standard delivery - to avoid the possibility of a driver being denied entry. Others described discrepancies in pricing by the time they reached the online checkout, receiving expired dog food, debit cards being charged multiple times for the same order, and the list goes on and on - and that's just on the BBB website from the month leading up to our review. Going over to Trustpilot, 83% of the reviews there are just 1 star, with most of the same issues we described from the BBB site.

Last place among retailers of dog food

We really wanted to love Petco. On paper, it's a fantastic option for buying dog food with lots of enticing perks. Unfortunately, the reality is that customers are frequently disappointed here, especially when ordering online.