By Melissa Neiman, Money Talks News
Your dog or cat — or perhaps your rabbit, parakeet or bearded dragon — is part of the family. And you wouldn’t have it any other way. But as any pet owner knows, those furry, feathered and scaly friends can become uber-expensive in a hurry.
Perhaps that’s the price you pay for love. But you can still get a discount on all that affection by searching around for the best prices on pet food.
From buying in bulk at warehouse clubs to joining free rewards programs, there are many ways to slash pet food costs. Following are eight great ways to save.
1. Get coupons at Coupons.com
Each month, Coupons.com unveils hundreds of dollars in savings on groceries, personal care items and other goods — including pet supplies.
To view currently available coupons, which you can redeem digitally or by printing them out, simply visit the website and select “Pet Care” from the “Categories” pull-down menu.
New coupons are unveiled every month.
2. Use Amazon Subscribe & Save
Amazon has a service called Subscribe & Save that nets you up to a 15 percent discount when you set up regularly scheduled deliveries of five or more products each month. Pet supplies are on the list of options.
3. Use a discounted gift card
This cost-cutting method can make pet food even cheaper than it is on Amazon, as we detail in “How Unwanted Gift Cards Save Me Hundreds of Dollars a Year.”
You can buy discounted gift cards for major pet store chains at online marketplaces like Raise.com.
4. Join a pet store’s repeat delivery program
With Petco’s Repeat Delivery program, you can save 20 percent on your first order of pet food and other supplies. Items also ship free.
Other pet store chains also offer similar programs, so check with your preferred chain. For example, PetSmart calls its equivalent “Auto Ship.” It will save you 5 percent on all orders, and you’ll get free shipping for orders above $49.
5. Enroll in rewards programs
To further boost your savings at the pet store, ask your preferred chain about its rewards program as well. We cite Petco’s Pals Rewards program, for example, in “13 Retailers and Restaurants That Give You Rewards on Every Purchase.”
Additionally, some pet food brands offer rewards programs that grant you access to coupons and other promotions that can help you save. Examples include Wellness and Purina Cat Chow.
6. Check out pet food manufacturers’ websites
If your pet has a favorite food, keep tabs on the food maker’s website. You’ll often find good deals there.
7. Buy in bulk
Millions of people save money by shopping for the needs of their family — including their pets — at warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club.
8. Make your own
If you have the inclination, DIY pet food can save you a bundle. The internet is full of homemade pet-food recipes. But before you try this, consult with your veterinarian to make sure it’s right for your pet.
WebMD also has some tips on making homemade dog food — and offers the sobering reminder that some pets may require a diet that is actually a lot more expensive than you might think.
Do you know of other tips for saving on pet food? Share them by commenting below or on our Facebook page.
