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Sunday, November 3rd
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.
If you've ever seen your dog excitedly wagging his tail at mealtime, you know how much he depends on you to keep his bowl full. But what happens when you open the pantry and realize you're out of his favorite food? While a quick trip to the store might seem like an easy fix, what if you're short on time or the local pet shop doesn't carry the specific brand or formula your pet needs? That's where the oh-so-amazing convenience of buying dog food online comes in.
Shopping for dog food online has transformed the way pet owners meet their furry friends' nutritional needs. Whether you have a picky eater who prefers a gourmet recipe or a dog with special dietary restrictions, you'll find that online stores typically offer a wider variety than the grocery store (or even compared with your local mom-and-pop pet store).
From organic, grain-free, or limited ingredient options to tried-and-true mainstream brands, the selection available online can meet every imaginable dietary need and picky pet preference. Plus, if you're ready to branch out and try something new for your favorite four-legged friend, you can take your time to compare brands, read ingredient lists, and even explore customer reviews, all from the comfort of your home.
Perhaps one of the biggest perks of ordering dog food online is the ability to schedule deliveries. Many retailers offer subscription services - your dog food arrives right when you need it, without you having to remember to place an order. This autoship option is perfect if you love the idea of having one less thing to worry about. Not only do you get to avoid last-minute trips to the store, but you may also benefit from discounts and free shipping, which can save you money in the long run.
There's just no beating the convenience of online dog food retailers. You can shop at any time of day, no matter your schedule. Whether you realize late at night that you're running low on food or you're too busy to squeeze in a trip to the pet store during the day, online ordering is always an option. And if you need your dog's food fast, many sites offer same-day or next-day delivery services - so that Rover never has to miss a meal (though he may be disappointed not to get that can of tuna or other "people food” when you don't have his kibble on hand).
Is your dog a little particular? Several online retailers offer flexible return policies, allowing you to exchange or return a product if it doesn't pass the sniff test. Some even provide trial sizes so you can test out a new formula before committing to a full-size bag or case of cans. This kind of hassle-free shopping experience can be a lifesaver when you're trying to find the perfect food for your pet's unique tastes or dietary needs.
You've got a lot of options for where to buy your dog food online. Which store should get your dollars? Use these criteria to pick the right one for you:
To help you find the right dog food store for your furry best friend, the canine-loving experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched and ranked some of today's most popular options. So, the next time your dog looks at you with those eager, hungry eyes, you can rest easy knowing that a quick click online will have his bowl filled in no time.
Select any 2 Dog Food Stores to compare them head to head