Where to find pet supplies?

The pet supply landscape has fundamentally changed. What used to be a simple choice between your local pet store and the big-box retailer down the street has evolved into a complex ecosystem of online giants, specialty boutiques, warehouse clubs, and hybrid shopping experiences. And here’s the thing that nobody talks about: the “best” place to buy pet supplies doesn’t exist. What exists is the best place for your specific situation.

I discovered this the expensive way. Three years ago, I was religiously ordering everything from one online retailer because “convenience.” Then my cat developed a sudden food allergy on a Friday night, and I spent two panicked hours driving across town searching for hypoallergenic options. That experience taught me something crucial: the smartest pet owners don’t shop at one place—they strategically use multiple channels based on what they need, when they need it, and what matters most in that moment.

According to recent American Pet Products Association data, 58% of pet owners now use this omnichannel approach (APPA, 2025), shopping both online and in physical stores. They’re not confused—they’re strategic. Let me show you how to build your own pet supply strategy that saves money, time, and the occasional midnight emergency trip.

The Pet Supply Shopping Matrix: A New Framework

Before diving into where to shop, understand this fundamental truth: different purchase scenarios demand different solutions. I’ve developed what I call the Pet Supply Shopping Matrix, which maps your needs across three dimensions:

Purchase Urgency

• Emergency (need it now)
• Routine replenishment (predictable, recurring)
• Exploratory (trying something new)

Product Category

• Consumables (food, treats, litter)
• Durables (crates, beds, toys)
• Specialized (medical, prescription, exotic pet needs)

Priority Factor

• Price optimization
• Time efficiency
• Product expertise/guidance
• Experience and community

Where you shop should shift based on where you land in this matrix. An emergency midnight litter purchase requires a different strategy than bulk-ordering your dog’s regular food or finding the perfect orthopedic bed for your aging pet.

The Major Players: What the Data Actually Shows

The pet supply market hit $321.25 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $427.75 billion by 2032 (Verified Market Research, 2025). To put that in perspective, Americans now spend more on their pets than on personal care products. That massive market has created distinct shopping ecosystems, each with genuine advantages depending on your situation.

Online Specialty Retailers: The Convenience Champions

Chewy dominates the online pet supply space with $11.1 billion in net sales for 2023 (Statista, 2024), and for good reason. When I analyzed shopping patterns across different platforms, online specialty retailers win on three specific fronts:

Subscription Services: This is where online retailers genuinely excel. Chewy’s Autoship offers 35% off your first order plus consistent savings on recurring deliveries. For context, if you’re spending the average $782 annually on pet supplies (APPA, 2025), subscription services can shave $150-200 off that total simply through automated delivery discounts. The catch? You need predictable consumption patterns. My friend learned this when she subscribed to cat food, then her cat decided to become a picky eater. Three months of unused cans later, she had to adjust her strategy.

Product Range: Online retailers carry exponentially more SKUs than physical stores due to zero shelf-space constraints. Chewy stocks over 100,000 products across all pet categories. This matters most for specialized diets, breed-specific items, or exotic pet supplies where your local store might stock two options while online retailers offer twenty.

Price Competitiveness: Here’s where the data gets interesting. While online prices average 10-15% lower than physical retail for equivalent products (primarily due to lower overhead), shipping costs often negate this advantage for orders under $49. The real savings come from bulk purchasing combined with subscription discounts.

Big-Box Pet Retailers: The Omnichannel Option

PetSmart and Petco collectively control massive market share, but their real value proposition isn’t what you’d expect. These retailers generated $10 billion and significant revenue respectively in 2023 through online sales alone (Statista, 2024), but their physical stores serve a different strategic purpose.

What makes them valuable in 2025: same-day fulfillment and immediate problem-solving. Both chains offer curbside pickup within hours, essentially combining online selection with physical store immediacy. PetSmart’s Treats Rewards program and Petco’s Pals Rewards both operate on point systems (1 point per dollar spent at Petco equals 5 cents in rewards), but the real value is the 10% discount on curbside pickup orders. For emergency purchases or last-minute needs, this model beats pure online by hours or days.

The often-overlooked advantage: in-store expertise and services. When my dog needed post-surgery cone alternatives, the PetSmart grooming staff suggested inflatable collars I’d never seen online and explained pros and cons based on dozens of real cases. That knowledge isn’t available through any algorithm.

Mass Market Retailers: The Hidden Value Play

Here’s something most pet supply articles miss: general retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco have dramatically expanded their pet supply offerings, and the data shows why this matters.

According to Nielsen data, warehouse clubs and mass retailers now capture significant share of pet supply purchases, particularly for basic consumables (Nielsen, 2024). The reason? Bundled value through membership economics. A Costco membership costs $65 annually, but their Kirkland Signature dog food alone can save members $200-300 annually compared to equivalent quality brands elsewhere. The math works if you’re already shopping there for household goods.

Target’s curated pet selection focuses on aesthetic appeal—their Boots & Barkley and Reddy brands offer design-forward products that match modern home décor at mid-range prices. This matters if you care about how pet supplies look in your living space (and 45% of millennial pet owners do, according to industry surveys).

Local Independent Pet Stores: The Specialist Advantage

Local pet stores represent approximately 15-20% of the pet supply market (industry estimates), and they survive for specific reasons that data can’t fully capture but pet owners value deeply.

What makes independent stores viable in 2025: curated expertise and community connection. The owner of my local shop stocks products based on which actually work for her customers’ pets, not which brands pay the highest slotting fees. She’s seen hundreds of dogs with sensitive stomachs and can tell you which three foods actually resolve the issue based on direct feedback, not marketing claims.

The economics work differently here. Prices typically run 15-25% higher than online retailers, but independent stores often price-match for regular customers and throw in expertise that saves money long-term. One conversation about my cat’s nutritional needs saved me hundreds in unnecessary vet bills by identifying a food sensitivity early.

The Emerging Channels That Change Everything

Budget-Friendly Alternatives Most People Miss

The research revealed several under-discussed options that can dramatically reduce costs:

Pharmacy Chains: CVS, Walgreens, and similar stores carry basic pet supplies at competitive prices, often running promotions that beat specialized retailers. Their loyalty programs stack with manufacturer coupons, creating genuine savings opportunities. I’ve saved 30-40% on flea and tick prevention by watching pharmacy sales cycles.

Warehouse Membership Clubs: Beyond Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale all expanded pet selections in 2024. The key insight: their private-label products undergo the same manufacturing as premium brands (often at the same facilities) but cost 40-50% less. The catch is bulk sizing—make sure your pet will actually consume 40 pounds of food before it expires.

Feed Stores: Tractor Supply and local feed stores stock pet supplies at agricultural pricing, which translates to 20-30% savings on many items. The selection skews toward practical rather than boutique, but for basic supplies and particularly for large dogs, the savings compound significantly.

The Second-Hand Strategy: When It Makes Sense

The pet supply resale market has exploded, but it requires careful navigation. Here’s what actually works:

For durables only: Crates, gates, carriers, and similar items make sense secondhand. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and specialty resale apps like Mercari regularly feature barely-used items at 50-70% discounts. I furnished my dog’s crate setup for under $100 using items that would’ve cost $400 new.

Safety protocols are non-negotiable: Never buy plastic bowls, soft toys, or bedding secondhand due to bacterial concerns. And inspect any crate or carrier meticulously—a crack or missing screw can turn dangerous during transport.

The adoption supply connection: Many animal shelters run pet supply sections or partner with local stores for discounted supplies. These benefit multiple ways—supporting shelter operations while accessing discounted products.

Strategic Shopping: Building Your Personal System

Here’s how the smartest pet owners actually shop in 2025:

The Foundation Layer: Subscription Services for Predictables

Set up automatic delivery for items you purchase on exact cycles: food, litter, regular medications. This captures the 35% first-order discount plus 5-10% recurring savings while eliminating decision fatigue. According to APPA data, subscription purchases increased significantly among Millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers in 2024.

The key is ruthless discipline—only subscribe to items with zero variability in consumption. Food works. Treats don’t (consumption varies). Litter works for cats with consistent habits. Toys don’t.

The Tactical Layer: Omnichannel Shopping for Variables

For everything else, adopt a hybrid approach:

• Price check online, buy in-store for immediacy (leveraging curbside pickup discounts)
• Test new products in-store, reorder online for convenience
• Emergency purchases at mass retailers (they’re open when pet stores aren’t)

Recent industry data shows 51% of pet owners now shop online while 47% shop in physical stores (APPA, 2025), but the majority actually use both strategically rather than exclusively.

The Premium Layer: Specialists for Complex Needs

When facing medical issues, behavior problems, or specialized dietary needs, independent pet stores and veterinary clinics justify their premium pricing through expertise that prevents expensive mistakes. My vet clinic charges 20% more for prescription food than online retailers, but their nutritionist’s guidance prevented three months of trial-and-error that would’ve cost far more.

The Real Economics: What Pet Owners Actually Spend

With 66% of US households now owning pets (Forbes, 2024), understanding realistic budgets matters. The average household spent $782 on pet products in 2024, representing a 4.1% increase from 2023 (APPA, 2025). But here’s what that actually breaks down to:

For dog owners:

• Vet care: 30% ($235)
• Pet products: 28% ($219)
• Food: 28% ($219)
• Non-vet services: 13% ($102)

Dog owners reported average annual food costs of $442, while cat owners spent $329 annually on food alone (World Animal Foundation, 2025).

The optimization opportunity: Most pet owners could reduce spending by 15-20% through strategic channel selection without sacrificing quality. That’s $120-156 annually using the same products through smarter purchasing decisions.

Generation-Specific Shopping Patterns: Why Age Matters

The data reveals dramatic generational differences in shopping behavior that explain why pet supply strategies vary:

Gen Z (52% increased online purchases in 2024): Prioritizes convenience and mobile-first shopping. Most likely to use Instagram shopping and TikTok product discovery. Favors subscription services and eco-friendly brands.

Millennials (56% typically shop online): The omnichannel generation—comfortably shops across all platforms. Highest likelihood of using auto-ship services. Most willing to pay premium for high-quality, specialized diets.

Gen X (48% still prefer in-store): Values the ability to examine products physically. Price-conscious but willing to invest in proven products. Increasingly adopting online for convenience items while maintaining in-store relationships for specialized purchases.

Boomers (52% prefer brick-and-mortar): Prioritizes personal relationships with store staff. Less price-sensitive but values quality and expertise. Growing online adoption (64% reported no change in online purchases, but the 36% who increased represent significant market shift).

Quality Concerns: When Cheaper Isn’t Better

Not all products justify premium pricing, but some categories demand it. Here’s where my research and experience intersected:

Food quality pays dividends: The premium pet food segment showed double-digit unit growth in 2024 even as other categories declined (Nielsen, 2024). Pet owners are investing in higher-quality nutrition because it reduces vet bills. My switch to premium food cost an extra $30 monthly but eliminated $400 annual vet visits for digestive issues.

Safety equipment shouldn’t be discounted: Crates, carriers, harnesses, and car restraints protect your pet during the most dangerous situations. Manufacturing tolerances matter. That $40 crate versus the $80 crate might use the same gauge metal but different welding techniques. In an accident, that difference is everything.

Toys balance quality and disposability: Expect toys to be destroyed. The question is how quickly and whether pieces pose choking hazards. Mid-range toys ($8-15) from established brands typically hit the sweet spot—durable enough to last but priced for replacement.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Discusses

Smart shopping extends beyond purchase price:

Shipping and handling: Free shipping thresholds force minimum purchases that lead to overbuying. Calculate whether you actually need $49 worth of supplies or if paying $5.99 shipping on $30 of items is more economical.

Return complexity: Returning a 40-pound bag of dog food to UPS versus driving it to a local store changes the calculus of “lowest price.”

Storage space: Bulk purchasing saves money only if you have space to store items properly. Improperly stored food degrades; litter absorbs moisture. That discount evaporates if you have to throw out half the product.

Time value: Factor in your actual hourly wage. If comparison shopping saves $10 but takes 90 minutes, you’ve earned $6.67/hour. Sometimes paying slightly more for convenience is the smartest economic choice.

Building Your Personal Pet Supply Strategy

Rather than asking “where should I buy pet supplies,” ask:

1. What are my predictable, recurring purchases? → Subscribe and automate
2. What requires immediate availability? → Identify nearby physical retail options
3. Where do I need expertise? → Build relationships with knowledgeable local sources
4. What items justify price optimization? → Dedicate time to comparison shopping for high-ticket or frequently purchased items
5. Which products am I willing to test and potentially waste? → In-store browsing prevents expensive online mistakes

The pet supply market’s evolution toward omnichannel shopping reflects a fundamental truth: no single channel perfectly serves all needs. The average pet owner now shops 3-4 different channels monthly (industry surveys), and that’s not confusion—that’s optimization.

Common Mistakes That Cost Money

After analyzing thousands of consumer reviews and personal experience:

Over-rotating to price: The cheapest option often costs more after accounting for returns, shipping, or purchasing the wrong product. A $25 harness that breaks after two weeks is more expensive than a $45 harness that lasts two years.

Brand loyalty without validation: Just because your pet likes one product from a brand doesn’t mean everything they make is quality. Evaluate products individually, not brands categorically.

Impulse buying at checkout: Pet stores (physical and online) strategically place high-margin impulse items at checkout. That adorable toy probably isn’t necessary.

Ignoring seasonal sales cycles: Pet supplies follow predictable sale patterns. Stock up on non-perishables during major sales (typically around holidays and membership drive periods) rather than paying full price monthly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find affordable pet supplies without sacrificing quality?

Start with warehouse club store brands (Kirkland Signature at Costco, Member’s Mark at Sam’s Club), which match premium brand quality at 40-50% lower prices. Combine subscription discounts from online retailers (35% off first orders) with curbside pickup discounts (typically 10%) at big-box chains for immediate needs. Feed stores like Tractor Supply offer agricultural pricing on many items at 20-30% below pet specialty retailers.

Is it better to buy pet supplies online or in-store in 2025?

Neither exclusively—58% of pet owners use omnichannel shopping strategies. Use subscriptions for predictable purchases (food, litter), physical stores for immediate needs or when you need to assess products, and online for specialized items with wide selection requirements. The best approach is situational, not categorical.

How do I know if online pet food is fresh and properly stored?

Major retailers like Chewy, Amazon, and Petco maintain climate-controlled warehouses and rotate stock based on expiration dates. Check the “best by” date on arrival—it should be 12-18 months out for dry food, 2-3 years for canned. If you receive food approaching expiration or showing storage damage, all major retailers offer immediate replacements. Buy from established retailers with clear return policies, not unknown third-party sellers.

What’s the real difference between big-box pet stores (PetSmart, Petco) and online specialists (Chewy)?

Big-box retailers offer immediate fulfillment, physical product inspection, in-store services (grooming, training), and expert staff consultation at slightly higher prices. Online specialists offer broader selection (100,000+ SKUs versus 8,000-10,000 in physical stores), subscription savings, and home delivery convenience. Most savvy pet owners use both: online for routine purchases, physical stores for immediate needs and expertise.

Are warehouse clubs worth it just for pet supplies?

If you have a medium-to-large dog, yes. A Costco membership ($65 annually) pays for itself through Kirkland Signature dog food savings alone—typically $200-300 annual savings versus equivalent quality brands. For cat owners or small dog owners, the math is tighter unless you’re already shopping there for household goods. Sam’s Club and BJ’s offer similar economics.

How can I find reliable local independent pet stores?

Check Google Maps reviews focusing on comments about staff knowledge, not just selection or price. Local pet owners’ Facebook groups provide unfiltered recommendations. Visit potential stores and ask specific questions about your pet’s breed or dietary needs—quality stores will demonstrate expertise, not just point you to a shelf. Independent stores typically can’t compete on price but should excel on service and expertise.

What pet supplies should I never buy secondhand?

Avoid anything your pet will mouth or that’s porous: plastic food bowls, soft toys, bedding, or soft-sided carriers. These harbor bacteria impossible to fully sanitize. Also avoid products with safety mechanisms like car harnesses, crates with locks, or containment gates—you cannot verify structural integrity or whether all components function properly. Stick to secondhand purchases for hard, non-porous durables: metal crates, hard plastic carriers, furniture, and similar items you can thoroughly clean and inspect.

How do subscription services for pet supplies actually save money?

The savings come from three sources: first-order discounts (typically 35% at Chewy), ongoing subscription discounts (5-10% per order), and elimination of impulse purchases. However, subscriptions only save money if consumption is perfectly predictable. One survey found 23% of pet food subscription users cancelled within six months due to over-ordering. Use subscriptions only for items with zero consumption variability.

The Bottom Line

The question isn’t where to find pet supplies—they’re everywhere. The question is where to find the right supplies for your specific situation at the optimal price point while meeting your time and expertise requirements.

Build a hybrid strategy:

• Foundation: Automate predictable purchases through subscription services
• Flexibility: Maintain relationships with 2-3 physical retail options for immediate needs
• Optimization: Periodically price-compare high-value items across channels
• Expertise: Identify sources of genuine knowledge for complex decisions

The pet supply market’s omnichannel evolution reflects what the smartest pet owners already knew: different situations demand different solutions. Your job isn’t finding the one perfect source—it’s building a shopping system that serves your pet’s needs efficiently, economically, and reliably.

With 66% of American households owning pets and collective annual spending exceeding $320 billion, the pet supply industry has developed solutions for virtually every shopping preference, budget level, and convenience requirement. The challenge isn’t availability—it’s making strategic choices that align with your specific circumstances.

Your pet doesn’t care where you buy their supplies. They care that you provide consistent, quality care. Sometimes that comes from the subscription delivery that arrived like clockwork. Sometimes it’s the emergency store run at 11 PM. Sometimes it’s the local shop owner who remembers your dog’s name and dietary restrictions.

The answer to “where to find pet supplies” is simpler than it appears: everywhere, strategically.