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The 7 Best Online Pet Shops To Buy Cat Food

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As a cat owner, you’re always on the lookout for a great deal. It’s your responsibility to provide your cat with a healthy and high-quality diet, but there’s no rule that says you have to pay a fortune for it.

While brick-and-mortar pet stores still exist, they don’t always offer best selection and you’ll often pay more for pet supplies in-store than you would online. Plus, if you shop in-store you’ll be stuck having to lug heavy jugs of cat litter or big bags of cat food out to the car by yourself.

Shopping for pet products online offers the ideal combination of convenience and quality. We’ve researched the options to bring you the best places to buy cat food online.

At A Glance: The Best Places To Buy Cat Food Online

In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each option. You’ll find more detailed information about each platform later in the article.

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#1
9.9
Picked by 1 people today!


Chewy

  • Wide variety of pet foods and supplies
  • New customers receive up to 20% off
  • First Autoship receives 30% off
  • Customer service is available 24/7
#2
9.9
Picked by 3 people today!


Amazon

  • Wide variety of products and brands to choose from
  • Subscribe and Save orders receive 5% to 10% off
  • Create lists of products you like for future reference
#3
9.9
Picked by 1 people today!


PetSmart

  • Both in-store and online shopping, free pickup in store
  • Shop by pet, category, or brand to find what you need
  • Free same-day shipping available on some orders
#4
9.8
Picked by 2 people today!


Petco

  • Shop online and receive discounts for Curbside Pickup
  • Enjoy free same-day delivery on local orders over $35
  • Wide variety of brands carried, including high-end brands
  • In-house brand WholeHearted offers affordable cat food
#5
8.9
Picked by 1 people today!


Walmart+

  • Wide variety of affordable pet product options
  • Enjoy free shipping with Walmart+ subscription ($98/year)
  • Save 30% on your first Walmart PetRx order
#6
9.0
Picked by 3 people today!


PetFlow

    • Carries nearly 300 brands of pet products
    • Save 30% on your first autoship, free shipping over $49
    • Easy to shop by pet, product type, or specialty diet
    • Customer service is available through four different platforms
#7
8.9
Picked by 1 people today!


Target

  •  Frequent deals on popular pet brands and products
  • Save 10% with same-day delivery or pickup with Target Circle
  • Shop by pet, product, or category with ease

 

Why Should You Trust Us?

Having spent over a decade owning and caring for cats, I’ve gained a great deal of experience shopping for cat food, both online and in-store. Not only have I spent a great deal of time researching the best options for my own cats, but I’ve spent countless hours learning the details about feline nutrition.

Keep reading to learn the details about the best places to buy cat food online and which options we like best.

The Benefits Of Shopping For Cat Food Online

Your cat has to eat, and it’s one of your primary responsibilities as a cat owner to provide your cat with a healthy everyday diet. If you’ve done any research about the pet food industry, you already know that all pet foods are not created equal. It’s up to you to do the leg work to find a high-quality formula.

Five to ten years ago, shopping for pet food involved walking into a brick-and-mortar pet store and walking up and down the aisles. You’d have to compare products by reading the label. Today, shopping for pet food is quick and easy. By shopping online, you can compare products side-by-side and search for the best deals with the click of a mouse.

Here are some other benefits of shopping for cat food online:

  • You get to save a lot of your precious time – no more long trips to the pet store.
  • You can shop once and call it done – with recurring orders and subscriptions you can receive deliveries of your cat’s food to your door when you need it.
  • You no longer have to waste gas or put extra mileage on your car by driving around looking for a store that carries your cat’s brand.
  • You can save yourself the hassle of lugging big bags of cat food around – they’ll be dropped right at your doorstep by the mail carrier.
  • You have access to a wider variety of brands and flavors online than in-store.
  • You can take advantage of special offers like same-day shipping or, depending where you shop, free or discounted curbside pickup.
  • You get to spend less time shopping and more time with your cat.

If you’re not the most internet savvy person, shopping for pet food online may come with a bit of a learning curve. We’d recommend starting with a pet-specific retailer like Chewy or PetFlow to make things a little bit easier. Keep reading to see our other top picks for the best places to buy cat food online.

The Best Places To Buy Cat Food Online: Our Top Picks

Shopping for cat food online gives you access to the largest variety of products, not to mention the ability to easily compare prices across different platforms. We’ve rounded up the best options for online pet shopping to help you keep your cat healthy and happy. Check them out below!

#1 Chewy

Chewy

Shop on Chewy

Chewy is your one-stop shop for all things related to pets. Not only does Chewy have a wide selection of cat and dog foods, but you’ll find an endless array of treats, supplements, grooming supplies, toys, bedding, and more. Chewy makes it easy to shop by pet, by category, or by brand and they provide helpful features like the Buy It Again bar on the homepage where you can click to reorder your favorites.

In addition to offering a wide range of products for pets, Chewy also offers great deals for pet owners. New customers can save as much as 20% on their first order or 30% on their first Autoship. Plus, you’ll receive a 5% discount on subsequent autoship fulfillments. You can change, reschedule, or cancel your Autoship orders at any time simply by logging into your customer account. Customers receive free and fast 1-to-2-day shipping on orders over $49 – all other orders ship for a flat rate of $4.95.

When it comes to cat food specifically, Chewy makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. Narrow down the options by selecting the type of cat food you’re looking for or shop by flavor or special diets. Chewy also makes it easy to shop for cat food formulated for specifical health concerns like immune support, urinary tract health, or sensitive skin.

In terms of customer support, Chewy offers 24/7 help via phone, chat, or email. They also make it easy to track your order and you can view the FAQ section to get a quick answer to common questions.

What We Liked:

  • Wide variety of pet foods, treats, toys, and other supplies
  • New customers receive up to 20% off or 30% off your first Autoship
  • Customer service is available 24/7 by phone, chat, or email
  • Free 1-to-2-day shipping on orders over $49

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Some brands don’t partner with Chewy

#2 Amazon

Amazon

Shop on Amazon

When it comes to product variety, Chewy and Amazon are easily the top two players in the game. Which one ends up at the top of the list really comes down to what you’re shopping for. Both have a large product selection, but both fail to carry certain popular brands. Some pet food brands simply prefer to work with small, local, and independent retailers over giants like Chewy and Amazon.

The key difference between Amazon and Chewy is that Amazon doesn’t exclusively sell pet products. They have partnerships with many of the top pet brands, but not all of them, and Amazon allows independent sellers to sell on their platform as well – Chewy does not.

In terms of customer experience, Amazon makes it easy to find what you’re looking for and there are plenty of options to filter your search results. You also have the option to create lists of products you like, and you can create recurring orders just as easily. Through the Subscribe and Save program, you’ll save 5% to 10% on recurring orders based on how many products are in the order.

Another key difference between Amazon and Chewy is the size of the company. Amazon has become one of the largest companies in the world, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their customer service works a little differently. Amazon offers a detailed Help section on their website and tries to resolve issues online – they make it a little tricky to figure out how to speak directly with a customer service representative and there are a large number of negative reviews for Amazon’s customer service online.

What We Liked:

  • Wide variety of products and brands to choose from
  • Subscribe and Save orders receive 5% to 10% off
  • Create lists of products you like for future reference
  • Free shipping with Amazon Prime (annual subscription)

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not a pet-specific platform
  • Limited options for free shipping
  • Poor reputation for customer service

#3 PetSmart

PetSmart

Shop on PetSmart

PetSmart is a privately held chain of pet superstores in the United States and the leading pet company in North America. As of 2020, PetSmart had more than 1,650 brick-and-mortar stores in North America. In addition to selling pet supplies, their stores offer grooming services, dog daycare, veterinary care, dog training, and dog and cat boarding.

When it comes to shopping at PetSmart.com, you can shop by pet or by brand. Once you select a pet, you’ll be able to filter the results by categories such as toys, litter & waste disposal, beds & furniture, grooming supplies, and more. PetSmart.com carries dozens of cat food brands, but they don’t carry some of the high-end brands like Acana, Orijen, or Stella & Chewy’s. They do, however, carry most of the bottom-shelf and mid-quality brands.

Though PetSmart may not offer the same selection as Chewy and Amazon, there is some benefit to choosing a pet retailer that offers both online and in-store locations. You can shop online and pick up in store, often on the same day. Certain orders may also qualify for free same-day delivery through DoorDash. Otherwise, orders over $49 ship free and smaller orders are subject to a charge.

PetSmart offers an extensive Help section on their website that walks you through common issues and questions. If you need to speak to customer service, you can contact customer care by phone or email.

What We Liked:

  • Both in-store and online shopping, free pickup in store
  • Shop by pet, category, or brand to find what you need
  • Free same-day shipping available on some orders

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Many high-end pet food brands are not carried
  • More limited array of brands than Chewy or Amazon

#4 Petco

Petco

Shop on Petco

Another American pet retailer, Petco is PetSmart’s largest competitor. This company sells pet products and services including grooming and dog training. They currently have over 1,500 retail locations in North America including nearly 100 Unleashed by Petco locations which is a smaller format store.

Shopping at Petco.com is very similar to shopping at PetSmart.com. You can search for items or browse by pet, services, or brands – you can also view current deals. Like PetSmart.com, Petco.com offers the option to shop online and pickup in-store. You can receive up to 25% off orders over $50 when you select Curbside Pickup as your delivery method or select free 1–2-day delivery for orders over $35. If you order by 2pm, you may qualify for free same-day delivery on local orders $35 and over.

On top of same-day delivery and curbside pickup deals, Petco.com offers a hefty discount on autoship orders. You can receive 35% off your first order plus 5% off future orders. You can change, reschedule, or cancel your auto-shipment at any time by logging into your customer account.

When it comes to their selection of cat food, Petco.com has plenty of options. They carry major brands like Blue Buffalo, Wellness, and Taste of the Wild as well as some of the high-end brands PetSmart doesn’t carry like Orijen, Canidae, and Acana. Petco also recently launched their own in-house brand WholeHearted which offers a large selection of affordable cat foods including wet food, dry food, limited ingredient formulas, and kitten food formulas.

When it comes to customer service, Petco offers several self-help features online but you can also contact customer care by phone between the hours of 5am and 9pm seven days a week.

What We Liked:

  • Shop online and receive discounts for Curbside Pickup
  • Enjoy free same-day delivery on local orders over $35
  • Wide variety of brands carried, including high-end brands
  • In-house brand WholeHearted offers affordable cat food

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Free shipping and curbside pickup discounts don’t apply to all products
  • More limited selection of brands than Amazon or Chewy

#5 Walmart+

Walmart+

Shop on Walmart+

Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that has more than 11,400 retail locations in 26 countries operating under over 50 different names. In addition to their brick-and-mortar stores, Walmart sells many of their products online, including pet products.

They also recently launched Walmart+, a membership club that gives you access to exclusive savings and benefits such as free shipping, free delivery from store, member prices on fuel, and mobile scan & go. A Walmart+ membership costs just $12.95 per month or $98 per year.

Similar to Amazon, Walmart is a major retailer that offers pet products as well as many others. To browse their selection, you’ll need to scroll down on the main menu to the Food, Household & Pets section or you can simply type your search query into the search bar at the top of the page. Like the other retailers we’ve reviewed, Walmart enables you to narrow your search options by product type or brand. You can shop major categories like Dry Cat Food or view their featured brands.

When it comes to their product offerings, Walmart primarily focuses on the cheaper brands of cat food like Iams, Sheba, and Meow Mix. Walmart also has a number of exclusive pet brands including Special Kitty, Ol’ Roy, and Vibrant Life. If you’re looking for premium cat food, you’ll need to shop elsewhere.

Though Walmart may not offer the top brands of cat food, they do offer great savings. You’ll save 30% on your first autoship order for flea and tick products through Walmart PetRx and free shipping with no minimum order on everything else with Walmart+.

In terms of customer service, Walmart offers an extensive FAQ section online including the Walmart Help Center where you can search by common help topics. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can contact customer care by clicking on the Contact Us button at the bottom of the help page.

This opens the chat function where you can talk to Walmart’s automated support assistant. If you want to speak to a human, however, you’ll have to jump through a few hoops to find one.

What We Liked:

  • Wide variety of affordable pet product options
  • Enjoy free shipping with Walmart+ subscription ($98/year)
  • Save 30% on your first Walmart PetRx order

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Customer service is primarily online, tough to talk to a person
  • Mainly carries low-end brands and Walmart exclusive brands

#6 PetFlow

PetFlow

Shop On Petflow

PetFlow was founded in 2010 and currently carries nearly 300 different brands of pet products. Unlike Walmart which focuses primarily on affordable and lower end brands, PetFlow is dedicated to supporting some of the top-quality pet brands on the market. Premium brands like Acana that don’t even partner with Chewy work with PetFlow.com.

What makes PetFlow different from other major pet retailers is that their business model is entirely focused on recurring orders. When you visit the website, you’ll see a menu with options to shop by pet or by brand – you’ll also see a Quick Reorder button where you can view past orders and duplicate them with the click of a button. PetFlow offers free shipping on orders over $49 with additional savings of 30% on your first auto-ship purchase.

In shopping for cat food on PetFlow, you’ll find it easy to find what you want. You can always type the brand name into the search bar or browse by pet or food type. PetFlow also makes it easy to shop by specialty food types like Grain-Free cat food or Allergy Safe diets with the click of a button. Plus, for every order they receive, PetFlow donates a bowl of food to pet shelters.

When it comes to customer service, PetFlow is ready and willing to help. You can contact their customer care team by email, chat, text, or phone between the hours of 9am and 10pm EST any day.

What We Liked:

  • Carries nearly 300 brands of pet products
  • Save 30% on your first autoship, free shipping over $49
  • Easy to shop by pet, product type, or specialty diet
  • Customer service is available through four different platforms

What We Didn’t Like:

  • More limited selection of brands than Amazon and Chewy

#7 Target

Target

Shop on Target

Like Walmart, Target is a major retailer that offers a decent selection of pet products. They may not carry all the major brands like Amazon and Chewy, but they do carry some of the more affordable brands as well as popular brands like Blue Buffalo and Purina One.

When it comes to shopping for cat food on Target.com, you have plenty of ways to narrow down the options. Shop by brand or product type or filter the results by life stage, flavor, health considerations, and other factors. Target also frequently offers deals on pet products which makes it easy to save on the brands you already buy.

In addition to offering deals, Target.com makes it easy to save on every order. Using the Target Circle app, you can receive up to 10% off pet products with same-day pickup or delivery. Flea and tick items are eligible for savings up to 15% with same-day pickup and delivery.

The downside of shopping Target.com is their customer service options are somewhat lacking. Like Walmart and Amazon, they offer a variety of online help options but make it a little difficult to talk to an actual person. They do, however, have a customer service number you can call.

What We Liked:

  • Frequent deals on popular pet brands and products
  • Save 10% with same-day delivery or pickup with Target Circle
  • Shop by pet, product, or category with ease

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Customer service options are a little confusing
  • Limited selection of brands, mainly low-to-mid quality

Where To Buy Fresh Cat Food Online?

When it comes to feeding your cat, convenience is a major concern. Shopping for cat food online takes the hassle out of the equation and saves you from having to make an extra trip each month. Plus, you won’t have to worry about lugging around big bags of cat food or heavy jugs of litter.

Online pet food retailers have partnerships with most major pet food brands, but before you settle for a traditional dry food or canned cat food, consider an alternative: fresh cat food.

Check out our guide to the best fresh cat food meal delivery service.

Pet nutrition experts agree that fresh cat food is one of the healthiest options for cats. After all, it comes pretty close to mimicking your cat’s natural evolutionary diet which is rich in protein and moisture but low in carbohydrates. The only thing better is a raw food diet consisting of raw meat, bones, and organs.

Not only is fresh cat food an excellent nutritional choice, but it is extremely convenient as well.

The primary benefit of ordering fresh cat food over shopping for traditional cat food online is that you don’t have to do it month after month. Fresh cat food delivery services gather basic information about your cat to create a custom meal plan then they send deliveries of fresh cat food right to your door.

Fresh cat food delivery services take the guesswork out of feeding your cat and they offer a convenient option for cat owners who are tired of shopping for cat food.

Here’s a quick look at our top 3 picks for the best fresh cat food delivery service:

#1 Raised Rights Cat Food Delivery

Raised Right logo

Shop on Raisedrightpets.com

Read Our Full Brand Review

Raised Rights is our top pick for the best fresh cat food delivery service they are made with the highest quality ingredients possible. Both recipes are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO for complete and balanced nutrition.

When you order Raised Right cat food, you have two options. One option is to purchase a sample box of two 2-pound bags for $19.99 each plus $9.99 shipping. The second option is to purchase a full box of eight bags for $19.99 each with free shipping.

Here’s what we like about Raised Rights:

  • Custom meal plans catered to your cat’s specific needs
  • Species-appropriate recipes made from human-grade ingredients
  • Food is high in moisture and animal-based protein

#2 Smalls Fresh Cat Food Delivery

smalls

ENTER “CATS35” TO GET 35% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER

Read Our Full Brand Review

If you’re looking for a fresh cat food company that offers a variety of options, Smalls is the way to go. This fresh cat food service offers human-grade fresh cat food in a variety of flavors and textures and sends them right to your door.

Smalls offers several poultry-based formulas made with chicken or turkey as well as beef- and fish-based formulas. Their fresh cat foods come in two textures – pate and ground – and each package contains 5 ounces of food.

When you start a Smalls subscription, you’ll receive a 10-pack sampler of different flavors and textures. Unless you cancel, your subscription will roll over into monthly deliveries that you can continue to customize according to your cat’s preferences and calorie requirements.

Here’s what we like about Smalls:

  • Variety of fresh cat food options in different flavors and textures
  • Species-appropriate recipes made with human-grade ingredients
  • Rich in moisture and packed with real animal proteins
  • Customize your cat’s meal plan according to their needs and preferences

#3 JustFood for Cats Fresh Cat Food Delivery

Shop on Justfoodfordogs.com

Read Our Full Brand Review

JustCats is the cat-based product line from Just Food for Dogs, a popular fresh dog food delivery service. This fresh cat food company only offers a single recipe at this time, but it is made with 100% human-edible ingredients and gently prepared in small batches to preserve the natural flavor and nutritional integrity.

JustCats fresh cat food is formulated by a team of veterinarians and board-certified specialists, plus it is packed with healthy moisture and animal-based protein from chicken and fish.

Flat rate shipping is $19.99 for orders that do not meet free shipping minimums. Free shipping is available on frozen orders and dry goods (DIY kits, supplements, treats, and merchandise) over $99. This is valid in the Continental U.S. only. For more information about their shipping policy and costs, please visit this page.

Here’s what we like about JustCats:

  • Formulated by veterinarians and animal nutrition specialists
  • Fresh cat food sent right to your door, no subscription required
  • Rich in real animal protein from chicken and fish
  • Packed with moisture and natural flavor, no artificial additives

Relevant Content:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to buy cat food online?

You can find great deals when shopping for pet food online, but it isn’t always cheaper. The primary benefit is that you can quickly and easily compare prices among different retailers online – it’s much more difficult to do that with brick-and-mortar pet stores. While it may not exclusively be cheaper to shop for pet food online, it’s generally easier to find the best deal that way.

What is the best online pet store?

There are many different places to buy pet food online, so it really comes down to what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to pay. Major online pet retailers like Chewy and Amazon tend to have the largest variety and often offer new member discounts and free shipping. Some pet food brands prefer to work with smaller retailers like PetFlow or PetSmart.

Is it better to shop for cat food online? 

It's largely a matter of preference where you choose to shop for cat food, but shopping online does come with certain benefits. You'll fid it easier to compare products and prices, plus you'll have access to a wide variety of product choices. Plus, many online retailers offer free shipping and auto-ship discounts.

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About Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is a writer with over twelve years of experience in the pet industry. She is an NAVC-certified Pet Nutrition Coach and has completed coursework in therapeutic nutrition, raw feeding, and the formulation of homemade diets for pets at an accredited university. Kate enjoys cooking, reading, and doing DIY projects around the house. She has three cats, Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit.

6 thoughts on “The 7 Best Online Pet Shops To Buy Cat Food”

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  1. Lori

    Chewy has become a time consuming frustration! The interface is clunky and unfriendly. When attempting to order canned food, the page shows items that look to be available, when you try to place in your cart, it is out of stock. Click back to continue ordering and you ALWAYS wind up at the very beginning of the offerings. Once you FINALLY find food to order, you go to check out and it’s edited out of your cart. If you have an infinite amount of available time, go for it, I am just too frustrated to continue to use this outdated site when there are so many alternatives.

    Reply
    1. small mallory photoMallory Crusta

      Thanks for sharing your experience with Chewy, Lori. Have you mentioned these concerns to the Chewy staff? I think it’s worth bringing it directly to them.

      Reply
      1. Lori

        Hi, I have, more than once. I just get something along the lines of “we understand you have to do what’s right for your furbabies.” They never address the ongoing site issues. Too bad, but now that I know (thanks to this article) who owns them, maybe I have even less reason to use them! Thanks for the informative article!

        Reply
  2. Chris

    Chewy is not No.1 by far. I purchased from there for several years and ALWAYS had problems. They do not package their shipments correctly. Things come missing, broken, leaking you name it. I cancelled my account with them for this reason. Do not buy from them, you will be sorry!!! It’s a flip of the coin if your product/s will arrive in time and not damaged. It’s not worth it anymore. Go somewhere else. Trust me!

    Reply
    1. kateKate Barrington Post author

      Thanks for your feedback, Chris! If you haven’t already, try reaching out to Chewy’s customer care about your concerns. They’re usually quick to send replacements for damaged products.

      Reply