# Pet food "subscription" at Amazon - Worth it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 11, 2017, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215 "2017-04-11T02:28:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/1 "2017-04-11T02:28:08Z")
So, looking at buying my dogfood online, as opposed to schlepping off to the local PetCo - I have three LARGE dogs\* (Shiloh Shepherds), and they can eat a fair bit, you betcha. Interestingly, the PetCo brick-n-mortar store prices actually beat most online costs - including PetFood Direct - with the notable exemption of Amazon. Is it worth setting up a recurring order via Amazon? Is there a better resource? Any caveats? (Product in [question](https://www.amazon.com/Hills-Science-Diet-Chicken-38-5-Pound/dp/B004CQZQQG)) \*and one elderly, medium-sized dog. Her diet is a special case. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/2 "2017-04-11T02:39:36Z")
I just bought cat food from Amazon and it arrived quickly and with no problem. It was slightly more expensive than getting the same prescription from the vet, but it’s more likely to be available at the vet’s. You might look into [chewy.com](http://chewy.com) ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/3 "2017-04-11T04:39:02Z")
The only caveat is Amazon purposefully delays those “subscribe and save” orders such that if you made one today, to be delivered as soon as possible this month, it would be 2-3 weeks before it arrives. But you get a discount for doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/4 "2017-04-11T04:47:27Z")
I have gone a little bit nuts with Amazon’s subscribe and save… I get about 10-12 items each month. The draw back is I now have a years supply worth of tooth paste, lotion and toilet paper. But I have my humidifier filter and laundry detergent spot on. The rest of my items are food / snacks. Once you balance your actual usage to your order, it works pretty nicely. You don’t have to think about getting those items, they just show up. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/5 "2017-04-11T08:44:25Z")
I use Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program for paper goods, batteries, toothpaste, dog food and more. My biggest challenge is determining how often to receive the delivery so as not to over order (every month, 2 months, etc.). There is a failsafe in that before the shipment is sent out, I receive an email from Amazon advising of the pending shipment. That gives me time to either take no action or delay any or all of the items. I’m a fan of both the convenience and cost savings. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/6 "2017-04-11T12:27:07Z")
I had a couple of issues with Amazon for dog food (I love them for everything else, but the timing of dog food deliveries is more important than, say, a new pair of shoes). I use [Chewy.com](http://Chewy.com) now, and I love them. It’s easy to adjust the delivery dates, if you need a change, or you can just set it and forget it. And, humbly offered for your perusal: [Dog Food Advisor](http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/7 "2017-04-11T13:38:03Z")
Seconding [Chewy.com](http://Chewy.com), even as a heavy Amazon user. Don’t use any subscriptions, though. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/8 "2017-04-11T14:13:28Z")
Interesting. Chewy-dot-com prices very closely match Amazon’s, within a few pennies. I’m inclined more towards Chewy, from a market influence perspective, more than anything else. All other things being equal - and they sound like they are - I like to support the smaller business. Thank you! Also: Dog Food Advisor is new to me as well. Thanks! > [@Amblydoper](#): > > I have gone a little bit nuts with Amazon’s subscribe and save… I get about 10-12 items each month. The draw back is I now have a years supply worth of tooth paste, lotion and toilet paper. Heh! You’re killin’ me here. I have a mental image of counter space overflowing with various products… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/9 "2017-04-11T15:25:33Z")
Comparison shop at places like [Walmart.com](http://Walmart.com), [Target.com](http://Target.com), Google Express /Costco–the last in much of the country, the first two nationwide. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/10 "2017-04-11T16:03:53Z")
I actually don’t have a local Target or WalMart. I know - go figure, right? WalMarts prices are comparable to the non-subscription prices, _if_ I go to the stor to pick it up - which kinda defeats the whole idea, especially since I’ll need to leave sales tax-free Delaware to pick it up. The local Costco doesn’t carry the food I want - I’ve checked - and neither does Target. If I lived closer to WallyWorld, maybe. But since it looks like I can get what I want to my door and save a couple bucks per unit by subscribing (it’s not like the dogs are going to suddenly go on a diet!), that’s less attractive. Especially since PetCo is a lot closer (and in Delaware). ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-food-subscription-at-amazon-worth-it/784215/11 "2017-04-11T18:38:16Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > I had a couple of issues with Amazon for dog food (I love them for everything else, but the timing of dog food deliveries is more important than, say, a new pair of shoes). I use [Chewy.com](http://Chewy.com) now, and I love them. It’s easy to adjust the delivery dates, if you need a change, or you can just set it and forget it. > > And, humbly offered for your perusal: [Dog Food Advisor](http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/) Thank you for those links–I am looking to make a change in my dog’s food and those are very helpful!