Best Alternatives to Amazon for Pet Supplies

This is one of the clearest wins in the Amazon alternatives space: Chewy is almost universally better than Amazon for pet supplies — lower prices, faster shipping on most items, and customer service that Amazon simply doesn't match.

Chewy

Best for: Everything pet — food, treats, medication, supplies

Price vs Amazon: Usually 5–20% cheaper, especially on autoship

Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $49; often 1–2 days

Autoship discounts (additional 5–35% off)
Frequently cheaper than Amazon on pet food
24/7 customer service that is genuinely exceptional (known for sending flowers when pets die)
Pharmacy for prescription medications
Price-match guarantee

Tradeoffs:

Pet-specific only
Some items require $49 minimum for free shipping

Verdict: Just use Chewy for pet supplies. There's almost no reason to use Amazon if you have pets.

Petco

Best for: In-store shopping, grooming, vet services

Price vs Amazon: Comparable to slightly higher; better on sale items

Shipping: Free over $35; same-day delivery in many areas

Physical stores (grooming, vet clinics, training)
Same-day delivery available
Loyalty program

Tradeoffs:

Generally pricier than Chewy online

Verdict: Best when you need in-store services. For online ordering, Chewy is usually cheaper.

PetSmart

Best for: In-store shopping, grooming, boarding

Price vs Amazon: Comparable; strong on private label brands

Shipping: Free over $49

Wide physical store network
Grooming, training, and boarding services
Frequent sales and Treats loyalty program

Tradeoffs:

Online prices generally higher than Chewy

Verdict: Same as Petco — best for in-store services. Chewy wins online.

Direct from brand

Best for: Specialty and premium pet food

Price vs Amazon: Often comparable; sometimes lower direct

Buy Orijen, Acana, Taste of the Wild, etc. directly
No risk of counterfeit or improperly stored food
Some brands offer subscription savings

Tradeoffs:

Brand-specific only

Verdict: For premium pet food, check brand websites first. Some offer direct subscriptions with better pricing.

Honest assessment

The pet supply category is the clearest case where Amazon is not the best option. Chewy consistently beats Amazon on price for pet food, has dramatically better customer service, and offers autoship discounts Amazon can't match. The only reason to use Amazon for pet supplies is habit.

Bottom line

Switch to Chewy. Set up autoship for food and recurring supplies. That's it.