Many people today have started ordering dog food online. There are several good reasons why a dog owner might prefer this method, but it may not suit every owner or every situation.
Why Order Dog Food Online?
If you live in an area that doesn’t carry many premium or “super premium” dog foods, ordering dog food online is a great way to access top dog food brands. Websites like PetFoodDirect.com, Amazon.com, Care-A-Lot.com, and many other online pet supply companies make it easy and safe to order dog food and have it delivered directly to your door. These sources often offer nutritionally advanced foods that are hard to find locally, especially if you live in a smaller town or don’t have access to a holistic pet food store.
Purchasing dog food online significantly expands your selection. This can be especially important if your dog has allergies or other health issues and requires a special diet.
Even if your dog doesn’t require a special diet, many people prefer to feed higher-quality food. Ordering online can give you access to grain-free foods, gluten-free foods, foods with higher protein percentages, pre-packaged raw diets, holistic diets, and many other options not typically available at local pet stores.
Is it Safe?
Yes, it is safe to order dog food online. Ordering dog food online is as safe as any other online transaction. Always look for secure connections when making a purchase, and consider using stores that accept PayPal for added security. If you’re uncomfortable providing your credit card information online, you can always call and place an order over the phone, though an online transaction on a secure website is generally safer than a phone transaction.
Are There Any Other Positive Features?
Most pet supply companies offer an auto-reorder feature, which you can activate if you wish. This ensures your dog food order is automatically refilled at certain intervals, so you never run out of food. You don’t need to go online to reorder—it will automatically be delivered to your house. Of course, your credit card will be charged automatically if you choose this option.
When you order online, you can purchase as much dog food as you need. It’s not unusual to order several hundred pounds, especially if you have multiple dogs. Some pet supply websites offer savings for bulk orders. If you have a good storage area, this can be a great option.
What is the Cost of Shipping?
This is one potential drawback of ordering dog food online. You might find dog food for less than what you pay at your local pet store, but shipping costs can be high, depending on your location. Since dog food is shipped “FOB” (freight on board), the cost of shipping can add significant expenses. You might save money on the dog food itself, but after factoring in shipping, the total cost could be the same or even higher than buying it locally—assuming the same product is available locally. If the product isn’t available locally, it will cost a bit more to order it online and have it shipped. In this case, you can either pay more to buy it online and have it shipped, or ask a local store to stock the product and inquire about their price. Sometimes, high-end products are simply more expensive, and shipping is part of the cost.
Should I Order Dog Food Online?
If you’re looking to buy a super-premium food that’s hard to find locally, then yes, ordering dog food online is a good idea. You can find the food you want at a fair price, especially if you compare prices at different sites. You can also compare shipping policies and prices and look for sales. If this is your first time buying this food for your dog, start by purchasing a small amount to see how your dog likes it before making a larger purchase. While shipping costs are unavoidable when buying hard-to-find products, they may be worth it.
However, if you’re feeding your dog a food that’s typically available at local pet supply stores, it’s probably not worth the shipping costs to save $1–2 on the food by purchasing it online—unless you’re buying in bulk.
