8 Simple Ways to Save Money on Pet Supplies and Care Costs

Owning a pet brings joy, companionship, and—let’s be honest—a lot of expenses. In the U.S., a staggering 66% of households have a pet—with millions of dogs and cats, pet expenses add up quickly. American pet owners collectively spend over $100 billion a year on food, vet care, pet toys, and supplies. But what if you could keep your furry friends happy without breaking the bank? The key is a stacking strategy; combining rewards programs, cash back, credit card offers, and more hacks to maximize every dollar spent.

1. Use Cash Back Sites & Apps

Before making any pet-related purchase, check a cash back portal like Rakuten, Top CashBack, or Capital One Shopping. These platforms offer rebates in the form of cash, points, or gift cards when you shop through their links at retailers like Chewy, Petco, and Walmart.

How to Get Cash Back on Pet Shopping

1. Sign up for a free cash back portal account. You can frequently get a welcome bonus, too.
2. Search the portal for a pet store or service, or use cashbackmonitor.com to compare the best cash back rates.
3. Activate cash back for the store from the cashback site, app, or browser extension, and shop as usual.
4. Checkout and earn cash back on your purchase subtotal (taxes and shipping don’t count).

Example: A $100 Chewy order with 5% cash back = $95 + stack with other tactics.

2. Take Advantage of Pet Store Coupons and Sales

Pet stores and online marketplaces frequently offer promo codes, manufacturer coupons, and in-store deals. This might include savings on specific products, buy one get one free, spending a certain amount for a percentage off, or first-time orders.

Best Ways to Find Pet Coupons and Sales

Example: A Chewy offer for “$15 off orders of $49+” on a $100 order = $85 + stack with other tactics.

3. Check Credit Card Offer Discounts

Many credit cards offer targeted merchant discounts through your account dashboard—for example Amex Offers, Chase Offers, and BankAmeriDeals. These can include limited-time cash back or statement credits on pet brands.

How to Find Pet Credit Card Offers

1. Login to your bank account.
2. Navigate to the “Offers” or similar section.
3. Activate relevant promotions before shopping.

Example: A Chase card offer for 10% back at Chewy on a $100 order = $90 + stack with other tactics.

4. Join Pet Store Loyalty Programs

Some pet retailers offer free loyalty programs that provide discounts, exclusive coupons, and points that convert into future savings when you shop with the same store often. This can stack with other tactics we’ve outlined to save you money.

Top Pet Loyalty Programs

Example: A $100 Petco order qualifies for a $5 reward redemption = $95 + stack with other tactics.

5. Use Subscription Services & Auto-Ship Discounts

Subscribing to get dog food, treats, pet medication, or supplements delivered straight to your door saves you time. Retailers offer large discounts for new subscribers, ongoing discounts for recurring auto-ship orders, and usually ship for free.

Where to Find Pet Subscription Deals

• Chewy Autoship – Save 35% off your first order + ongoing 5% savings. 
• Amazon Subscribe & Save – Up to 15% off scheduled deliveries.
• Petco Repeat Delivery – Save 35% off your first order + ongoing 5% savings.

Example: Switching to Chewy Autoship for dog food could save time and $50+ yearly + stack with other tactics.

6. Buy in Bulk or Shop Warehouse Clubs

Buying pet food and supplies in bulk often leads to better cost-per-unit savings. Memberships at Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s or buying online at stores like valuepetsupplies.com can pay off if you have the storage space.

Pet Bulk-Buying Strategies

• Compare per-pound or per-unit prices on larger size packages compared to standard sizes.
• Split bulk purchases with other pet owner friends, family and neighbors to save more.
• Stock up during big sales events on shelf stable items for long-term savings.

Example: A 40-lb bag of dog food at Costco for $45 vs. a 20-lb bag at Petco for $30 = better per-pound value.

7. Pay with High Cash Back Credit Cards

While there are no dedicated pet credit cards, many pet owners find that flat rate reward cards because they offer high cash back on all purchases. Plus, some earn high cash back at grocery stores, while others feature pet supplies as a quarterly bonus category.

Best Credit Cards for Pet Purchases

Example: A $100 Chewy order using a 5% cash back card = $95 + stack with other tactics.

8. More Ways to Save Money on Pet Care

Beyond the various savings methods we’ve covered on pet supplies you’re already buying, you can also implement other frugal ideas with a little added effort to save money on your pets. Here are a few popular DIY routines and preventative options.

Making Your Own Dog Food or Cat Food

One way to cut down on pet food expenses is by making your own pet food. Not only can homemade meals be more cost-effective, but they also allow you to control the quality of ingredients and avoid unnecessary fillers.

How to save on homemade pet food:

• Use vet-approved recipes or speak to your vet to ensure balanced nutrition.
• Buy ingredients in bulk or at discount retailers to cut costs.
• Make the food in large batches that you can freeze and serve for weeks.

Cost comparison example:

Buying Pet Insurance

Unexpected vet bills can be one of the biggest expenses for every pet owner. Emergency visits, surgeries, and long-term medical care can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Pet insurance helps cover these costs, making medical care more affordable when your pet needs it most.

How to save with pet insurance:

• Compare plans from Spot, Embrace, ASPCA, MetLife, Lemonade, and others to find coverage that works for you.
• Choose a higher deductible and lower reimbursement rate for the best monthly premiums.
• Enroll your pet while they are young and healthy, and avoid canceling to get better rates.

Cost comparison example:

Grooming Your Pet at Home

Professional grooming can be expensive, especially for breeds that require frequent maintenance. Learning to groom your pet at home can save hundreds per year while keeping your pet clean and comfortable.

How to groom at home & save:

• Invest in quality clippers, brushes, and nail trimmers (one-time costs $50–$100).
• Watch YouTube tutorials for breed-specific grooming techniques.
• Brush your pet regularly to prevent matting, and use wipes to keep them fresh between baths.

Cost comparison example:

Pet Care Savings: How it Stacks Up

We’ve shared an example for each of these individual savings methods, but now we want to show you some examples of how they could potentially stack together for even greater savings on your pet expenses. This will also help you see how cash back or credits are calculated by partners based on the order subtotal (after store discounts). 

Wrap-Up: Saving Money on Pet Supplies

Taking care of your pets doesn’t have to drain your wallet. By combining cash back apps, credit card offers, loyalty programs, and strategic shopping, you can significantly cut costs on pet food, supplies, and even vet care. Simple changes—like setting up auto-ship, buying in bulk, or grooming at home—can add up to hundreds or more in annual savings. With the right approach, you can keep your pets happy and healthy without overspending. Don’t wait—start stacking these savings strategies today.

Editor’s note: Opinions shared in this article are solely the author’s and do not represent the views of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other organization. The content has not been evaluated, approved, or endorsed by any of the mentioned entities. These are our recommendations but it isn’t financial advice. We may receive a commission if you click through any of the links in this article.

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