Where to Buy Pet Food
for the Lowest Price

Store-by-Store Price Breakdown

We analyzed prices for the 20 most popular dog and cat food brands across all four major retailers. Here's what we found:

Price Comparison: Popular Brands Across Stores

We pulled live prices for some of the most popular dog food brands in their 30–40 lb bag sizes (typical for medium-to-large dog owners). Prices vary weekly — use our comparison tool for today's exact prices.

*With Chewy Autoship discount applied. Prices updated weekly — check PetFood.bot for today's live prices.

How to Save the Most on Pet Food

1. Chewy Autoship — The Easiest Way to Save

Chewy's Autoship program automatically delivers your pet's food on your chosen schedule (every 2–12 weeks). You get 5% off every order after the first, plus free shipping on orders over $49. There's no cancellation fee — you can skip, pause, or cancel anytime. On a $70 bag of Purina Pro Plan, that's a $3.50 discount per order, or about $18–25/year.

2. Costco Membership Pays for Itself

A Costco Gold Star membership costs $65/year. If you buy dog or cat food there even 4–5 times per year, you'll likely save more than that versus PetSmart or Walmart. The 40lb Kirkland Signature dry dog food (made by Diamond Pet Foods, the same manufacturer as Taste of the Wild) is $32.99 — roughly $0.82/lb, one of the lowest prices available for a reputable brand.

3. Stack Discounts at PetSmart

PetSmart's Treats loyalty program gives you $5 off for every $100 spent. Combine this with the PetSmart credit card (which gives 5% back) and manufacturer coupons to stack savings on prescription and premium brands not available at Costco.

4. Buy in Bulk (If Storage Allows)

Dry kibble stays fresh for 6–8 weeks after opening if stored in an airtight container. Buying the largest available bag almost always gives a lower per-ounce price. Going from a 15 lb to a 40 lb bag can reduce your per-ounce cost by 15–25%.

5. Watch for Manufacturer Coupons

Purina, Hill's, and Royal Canin regularly offer coupons through their websites and via mail from your veterinarian's office. Signing up for brand newsletters typically nets $5–15 in first-time coupons.

Budget-Friendly Brands That Don't Sacrifice Quality

If you're on a tight budget, these brands offer good nutritional value at accessible price points:

For Dogs

• Purina ONE — ~$1.20/lb, solid nutrition, vet-friendly
• Kirkland Signature (Costco) — ~$0.82/lb, made by Diamond Pet Foods
• Purina Dog Chow — ~$0.75/lb, AAFCO complete, widespread availability
• Iams ProActive Health — ~$1.00/lb, good protein content

For Cats

• Purina ONE (Wet) — ~$0.35/oz, good protein for the price
• Fancy Feast Classic — ~$0.25/oz, no grains, decent ingredient quality
• Friskies Pate — ~$0.18/oz, budget staple (lower protein %)
• Kirkland Signature Cat (Costco) — ~$0.60/lb dry, excellent value

Frequently Asked Questions