Shopping for Dog Food Online
If you’re a dog owner, you might be tempted to cut out the middleman and buy your pet’s food on the internet. You’ll get convenience, selection, and low prices, right? Right—but there are some pitfalls to watch out for when buying dog food online. Here are five common mistakes that pet owners make when opting for online dog food delivery:
Buying From a Brand You’ve Never Heard Of
When shopping online, it’s easy to fall for fancy marketing and pretty pictures. But when it comes down to it, there are a few key things you should look for when buying dog food online:
- Reputation: Is the company reputable? Is their website secure? Do they have good reviews from other customers?
- Customer service: Will you be able to reach someone by phone if something goes wrong with your order? Or will they just respond through email and wait days before replying?
- Return policy: If your dog doesn’t like the food or develops digestive issues after eating it, can you return it without hassle or extra fees?
Failing to Read the Calorie Count
The calorie count of your dog’s food is important for various reasons. If your dog is overweight, you can use the information to help you find a food that will keep their weight and be healthy for them.
If your dog needs to gain weight, then you’ll want to choose one with a higher calorie count. And if they need to lose weight, then choose a lower-calorie option.
Buying Dog Food That’s Too Rich or High-Calorie
It’s important to feed your dog a balanced diet. A balanced diet means the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat in the food you feed your dog. You should calculate the amount of calories in each serving based on your dog’s weight, not just on the number of cups or pounds recommended by the manufacturer.
If you’re considering purchasing a specific brand of dog food from an online store, it will be helpful to know how many calories are contained within that particular brand and type of food.
You’ll also want to calculate how much food your pup needs daily to get enough energy while remaining healthy. For example, a 40lb dog who eats 2 cups per day would need 80 calories/per day, whereas a 10lb pup eating 1/4 cup twice daily would require 20 calories/per day.
Not Reading the Fine Print
You’re probably familiar with the concept of “fine print,” but when it comes to online dog food delivery, you need to ensure that the fine print isn’t hiding anything important. That means reading the label and checking out your options carefully.
If a product has too many ingredients that are difficult to pronounce or that don’t seem very appetizing (think: “digest,” “byproducts,” or “beef meal”), find something else.
Choosing a Brand Without a Guarantee
Also, be sure that there is an actual guarantee on the bag—if it says something vague like “guaranteed fresh,” then you’re probably getting a product with no real guarantee.
Choosing a dog food brand without a guarantee is never a good idea. You’ll have questions about how long it will last, what happens if something breaks, and whether or not you can get your money back if the product fails to meet your expectations. For example:
- Does the company offer a money-back guarantee?
- Will they issue refunds for unopened bags?
- Are there any restrictions on using their products (for instance, only one bag per customer)?
Final Word
And that’s it. To sum up, if you buy dog food online, ensure you don’t fall into these common traps. They may seem like small things, but they can lead to big problems down the road.
And remember: always be on the lookout for recalls and other information about the brand’s reputation, so you know exactly what kind of food is coming through your door.
