Feeding our beloved dogs and cats is a significant, ongoing expense for any pet parent. The annual cost of dog or cat food can range from approximately $120 to $500, highlighting the importance of finding ways to save money without compromising on quality. Fortunately, by shopping around and employing smart strategies, pet owners can significantly reduce their pet food expenditures.
A study conducted by Checkbook.org, a nonprofit consumer organization, revealed substantial price variations among retailers for popular dog and cat food brands. Their shoppers compared prices across various pet stores, big-box discounters, grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and national online retailers in several major metropolitan areas. By focusing on the lowest price per pound or ounce, Checkbook discovered that the most affordable options were about 40 percent less expensive than the priciest alternatives.
Top Retailers for Affordable Pet Food
When it comes to in-store savings, certain retailers consistently offer the lowest prices. According to Kevin Brasler, Checkbook’s executive editor, membership warehouse clubs and large discounters are often the champions of affordability.
Specifically, Checkbook’s findings indicated:
- Sam’s Club: Prices were approximately 22 percent below the all-store average.
- BJ’s Wholesale Club: Prices were about 18 percent lower than average.
- Walmart: Offered prices 12 percent lower than the average.
- PetSmart: Was about 2 percent cheaper than the average.
Prices at Petco were found to be in line with the overall average. It’s worth noting that Costco often provides very competitive prices, primarily with its own Kirkland brand, though direct price comparisons with other brands were not possible in the study.
Online Shopping: Convenience vs. Cost
While online shopping offers undeniable convenience, particularly for heavy items like large bags of dog food, it doesn’t always guarantee the lowest prices. Checkbook’s research indicated that most online retailers were more expensive than the leading local discount stores like Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and Walmart. However, strategic online shopping can still yield savings.
To maximize value when shopping online:
- Qualify for Free Shipping: Ensure your order meets the minimum requirement for free delivery to avoid additional shipping costs.
- In-Store Pickup: Many retailers like Petco and PetSmart offer discounts for online orders that are picked up in-store, with discounts of up to 10 percent available.
- Auto-Ship Programs: Some online stores, like Chewy, offer a discount (typically 5 percent) for signing up for their auto-ship program. While these programs can be easily modified or canceled, be aware that not all products may be eligible for the discount. Chewy’s auto-ship discount, for example, can make its prices competitive with the lowest-cost local outlets.
Personal Observations on Price Variation
A personal price-shopping experience mirrored the findings of broader studies, revealing significant price discrepancies for the same pet food products across different stores. Visiting a mix of retailers like Costco, Fred Meyer, Petco, Safeway, Target, and Walmart, as well as shopping online at Amazon, Chewy, and others, highlighted the variability in pricing.
Key takeaways from this personal shopping endeavor included:
- Widespread Price Differences: For instance, the same brand of adult dog food varied dramatically in price per pound.
- Larger Sizes = Savings: Purchasing larger package sizes generally resulted in a lower unit price, making it a more economical choice for long-term feeding.
- Online vs. Brick-and-Mortar: While online prices were often lower, this advantage could be negated by shipping fees. It’s essential to compare the final cost, including shipping, to in-store prices.
- Product and Size Variations: Retailers sometimes offered different product sizes online compared to their physical stores, complicating direct price comparisons.
The most effective method for determining the best value is to calculate the unit price. By using a unit price calculator and inputting the price, quantity, and weight of the product, consumers can accurately compare costs on a per-ounce or per-pound basis, regardless of package size.
Additional Money-Saving Strategies
While coupons for pet food are not as common as for other goods, a little effort can uncover potential savings. Regularly checking manufacturer and retailer websites, as well as coupon aggregation sites like RetailMeNot, can reveal available discounts.
Smart shoppers can also strategize by stocking up during major sales events. RetailMeNot data indicates that the deepest discounts on dog and cat food often occur around Memorial Day, with savings potentially reaching 19 percent. Other opportune times to purchase include the end of September and during Cyber Week following Thanksgiving.
By combining diligent price comparison, strategic shopping at discount retailers, savvy online purchasing, and taking advantage of sales and coupons, pet owners can significantly reduce their annual spending on pet food, ensuring their furry companions are well-fed without breaking the bank.
