Every dog owner buying food online eventually asks: should I be buying this on Chewy instead of Amazon? Or vice versa? We tracked prices for 12 popular dog foods across both platforms for six months to answer this definitively.
The short answer: it depends — and it changes over time. But there are consistent patterns that help you default to the right platform.
What We Tracked
We monitored monthly prices for the following products on both platforms (regular price and subscription/auto-ship prices):
- Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult (34 lbs)
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed (30 lbs)
- Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Adult (30 lbs)
- Royal Canin Large Breed Adult (30 lbs)
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie (28 lbs)
- Wellness CORE Large Breed (26 lbs)
- Iams ProActive Health Large Breed (30 lbs)
- Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult (40 lbs)
- Purina Pro Plan Puppy Large Breed (34 lbs)
- Hill’s Science Diet Senior 11+ (15 lbs)
- Merrick Grain Free Senior (22 lbs)
- Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient (24 lbs)
The Results: Six-Month Average Comparison
| Product | Amazon Regular | Amazon Subscribe & Save | Chewy Regular | Chewy Autoship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purina Pro Plan LB 34lb | $56.98 | $54.13 | $59.99 | $53.99 |
| Blue Buffalo LP LB 30lb | $64.99 | $61.74 | $62.98 | $56.68 |
| Hill’s Science Diet LB 30lb | $61.99 | $58.89 | $61.99 | $55.79 |
| Royal Canin LB 30lb | $70.99 | $67.44 | $69.99 | $62.99 |
| Taste of the Wild 28lb | $53.99 | $51.29 | $54.98 | $49.48 |
| Wellness CORE LB 26lb | $73.99 | $70.29 | $71.99 | $64.79 |
| Iams ProActive LB 30lb | $36.99 | $35.14 | $35.99 | $32.39 |
| Diamond Naturals LB 40lb | $46.99 | $44.64 | $44.99 | $40.49 |
Key Findings
1. Chewy Autoship beats everything — when it’s available
Chewy’s Autoship (their subscription service) consistently offered the lowest prices in our tracking — typically 10-15% below Chewy’s regular price, and often below Amazon’s Subscribe & Save prices too. For products available on Autoship, this is the cheapest way to buy premium dog food online.
Chewy Autoship advantage: You can delay shipments as needed, and first-time Autoship orders often come with an additional 30-35% discount — making the first bag remarkably cheap.
2. Amazon Subscribe & Save is competitive but not the cheapest
Amazon’s Subscribe & Save (typically 5-15% discount, up to 20% on 5+ subscriptions) keeps Amazon competitive, but rarely beat Chewy Autoship in our tracking for the same SKUs.
Where Amazon wins: speed (Prime 1-2 day shipping vs. Chewy’s typically 1-3 days), and availability of products not sold on Chewy.
3. Regular prices are nearly identical
Without subscriptions, both platforms charge very similar prices — within 2-4% of each other for most products. Neither platform is dramatically more expensive for one-time purchases.
4. Chewy has better customer service for pet food issues
This isn’t a price factor, but it’s relevant: Chewy’s customer service reputation for pet food is outstanding. Multiple owners in our survey reported Chewy issuing full refunds or replacements for products their dog refused to eat — no return required. Amazon’s return process for large, opened food bags is more cumbersome.
5. Exclusive SKUs and sizes vary
Some products are only available in certain sizes on each platform. Always check both for the specific bag size you want — sometimes the “per pound” cost changes significantly with bag size.
Where Each Platform Wins
Buy on Chewy if:
- You’re setting up Autoship for regular orders (clear price winner)
- You want the first order 30-35% discount (excellent for trying a new food)
- You value their customer service (hassle-free refunds and replacements)
- You’re buying Hills, Royal Canin, or prescription diets (Chewy’s vet pharmacy is excellent)
- You’re buying a product you’ve never tried before — Chewy’s return policy is more generous
Buy on Amazon if:
- You need delivery today or tomorrow (Prime speed)
- You’re buying a product not available on Chewy
- You’re combining with other Amazon Subscribe & Save items to hit the 20% threshold (5+ items)
- You have Amazon gift card balance
- You prefer one-stop shopping with non-dog products
The Subscribe & Save Strategy (Amazon)
If you’re committed to Amazon, maximize your subscription discount:
- Add 5+ Subscribe & Save items (dog food + treats + supplements + household items)
- Schedule them all in the same month
- The 5th+ item in a month triggers 20% discount on ALL items that month
- You can skip months on anything — no penalty
At 20% off Purina Pro Plan Large Breed (34 lbs), that’s approximately $11 savings per bag. Over a year (roughly 8 bags for a 70-lb dog), that’s ~$88 saved versus regular price.
The Autoship Strategy (Chewy)
- Place first Autoship order — look for the 30-35% first-order discount
- Set delivery frequency to 8-12 weeks
- Delay or skip as needed
- No minimum spend, no cancellation fee
The first-order discount alone often covers the full bag price difference between Amazon and Chewy for a year.
Price Tracking Tools
Don’t trust prices at a single point in time — both platforms run frequent sales:
- CamelCamelCamel.com: Amazon price history. Set a price alert for any product — you’ll get emailed when the price drops.
- Honey browser extension: Automatically finds coupon codes and shows price history on both platforms.
- Chewy’s sale section: Chewy runs regular category-wide sales (20-30% off) that aren’t always prominently advertised.
FAQ
Q: Does food quality differ between Chewy and Amazon? A: No — you’re buying the exact same product from the same manufacturer. What differs is price, shipping speed, and return/replacement policy.
Q: Is it safe to buy dog food from Amazon third-party sellers? A: Only buy from “Sold by Amazon” or the official brand store. Third-party sellers have been associated with counterfeit products and improper storage conditions for consumables. Chewy sells only from official channels.
Q: Does Chewy carry prescription diets? A: Yes — Chewy’s pharmacy carries prescription diets (Hills Prescription, Royal Canin Veterinary) and requires vet authorization. Prices are competitive with purchasing through a vet’s office.
Q: What about Petco/PetSmart online? A: Both have Autoship/subscription programs. In our tracking, they were generally more expensive than Chewy or Amazon for the same products. Loyalty points programs can partially offset this for frequent buyers.
Our Verdict
For regular recurring purchases of major brands: Chewy Autoship wins. The consistent pricing advantage, first-order discounts, and superior customer service make it the better default for dog food buying.
For convenience and speed: Amazon. Prime delivery and the flexibility to combine with non-pet products in a Subscribe & Save bundle keeps Amazon competitive.
The best strategy: buy your first bag of any new food from Chewy (to take advantage of their generous refund policy if your dog hates it), then set up Autoship for your confirmed staple foods.