Wednesday, December 11th
2024 Dog Food Store Reviews
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).
More Dog Food Store Reviews
Which Dog Food Store is the Best?
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).
Dog Food Store FAQ
Continued from above...
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:
- Selection. First and foremost, does the dog food store carry the brand your pup loves? Do they have his preferred kibble flavor, maybe in multiple sizes, plus some other flavors within the same brand if you need to branch out? Can you get both wet and dry food, just in case you need to switch it up?
- Price. In today's economy, we're all looking for ways to save on the products we buy regularly, and dog food is no different. Will you save money if you buy your dog food at the store you're considering? Factor in any shipping costs, frequent buyer discounts, and any other perks that might make it a better deal than taking a trip to the pet food store near you.
- Perks. Some dog food stores go the extra mile to earn your loyalty. Are there any benefits that might sweeten the deal, like free consultations with a veterinarian or rewards programs?
- Reviews and reputation. Look at reviews on the dog food itself, as well as those left by the store's customers overall. Does the store offer brands and flavors that are generally well-liked by pets? Is the customer service team helpful when something doesn't go according to plan, from late deliveries to food that gets rejected by a picky pet's palate?
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.
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