We all love our dogs and we want them to have a well balanced diet. On the other hand, we also don’t want to overspend on dog food purchases, so we are using a few tricks to manage both things — keep our pup well fed without breaking the bank.
Here we share 5 simple ways to save money on dog food. Some are not sustainable in the long run — the first on the list — but they could get you going. Here’s what we’ve got…
1. Get free samples
This is not a myth — you can get some free food for your dog. The problem with this method is that it’s not sustainable in the long run. You can save a bit, nonetheless.
Pretty much every dog food company out there offers free samples periodically. We can’t provide you with links as they expire quickly. Your best bet is to google “free dog food samples” and see what comes up. To get fresh results click on the “Tools”, then change “Any time” to “Past month.”
While preparing this article we have caught Purina One and Rachel Bay both offering free samples. Not sure those deals are still available, though.
You can also visit websites of many (if not all) dog food brands and sign-up to their newsletters. From time to time, they may offer free samples.
2. Shop at wholesalers
You could save a ton when buying dog food at wholesalers such as Sam’s Club, Costco and BJs. Yes, this will require buying stuff in bulk, but that’s the usual way to save. You will have to buy memberships to those clubs, but it’s well worth it.
What we have found during our little research for this article is that Sam’s Club and Costco can be up to 40 percent cheaper than traditional pet food retailers. Those are huge savings.
One word of warning: as you will be buying food in bulk, make sure to check out expiration dates so you don’t end up with a ton of food that will be no good in a week.
3. Check out store-brand offers
Big brands aren’t necessarily better. Some of them have been recalled, remember?
If you want to save, you may want to check out store-brand products. Read the label to find out what’s inside, though — some products that have a high “junk” content such as food colorings and preservatives.
There is a good reason why some dog food costs more than the other, but in many cases it’s the brand that carries the premium price tag. Again, read the label and ask yourself — is this something I want to give to my dog?
Remember that a non-adequate diet could make your dog sick more often, hence increase his/her medical costs.
4. Cook for your dog
This is the favorite option for DIY crowd, and it’s not that hard really. Also, it comes with twofold benefits — your dog gets to eat properly and you save money.
Generally speaking, dog food recipes are easy to prepare. You will need the following mix:
- 40% protein – animal meat, seafood, eggs or dairy
- 10% carbohydrates – grains and beans
- 50% vegetables
- Some vegetable oil and/or oatmeal to mix it all together and add even more nutrients.
Put it all in a blender and voila — you’ve just prepared a nutritional meal for your pup.
Bear in mind that based on the ingredients you use, a home-cooked meal could cost more than a can of pre-prepared food. On the other hand, your dog will get to eat the same stuff you have already bought for yourself. And that’s where the savings come from.
Also, you may want to check out this guide – Healthy Dog Food: Homemade Recipes.
5. Subscribe to dog food services
You may have noticed that there is a growing trend among merchants which want us to subscribe to their products rather than occasionally buying them. Dog food is “affected” by this trend as well, allowing you to “subscribe and save” (as they say it).
We suggest trying some of these services:
- PetSmart auto ship – with this automatic delivery program, you can enjoy the convenience of having products delivered to you weekly or monthly. You’ll also benefit from a 20% discount plus free shipping on your first order, and 5% off plus free shipping on all future orders.
- PetFoodDirect auto ship – you get 15% off everything and up to 25% off “Bonus Brands.” You can choose your delivery frequency, and if needed skip shipments or cancel orders at any time (like when you’re travelling). Also, PetFoodDirect will email you five days before your order ships.
- Petco Repeat Delivery – it’s a different name for “auto shop,” it provides you with instant savings of 5% plus free shipping on all deliveries, which you get to schedule.
When visiting one of these sites, just select “auto ship” or “Repeat Delivery” to benefit from savings of repeat orders.
Conclusion
It is important to feed your dog a balanced diet, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. See which of the options outlined in this article work for you, and act accordingly. Or if you have some other trick you want to share, do let us know. Comments form is all yours…