Even though being a pet parent is one of the greatest jobs in the world, it can be a massive undertaking. As many of us are heading back to offices, most cats and dogs unfortunately have to stay behind at home. But there are some products and services that make the lives of busy pet parents easier. Food, toy and litter subscriptions, indoor cameras, pet telehealth and more from Amazon, Chewy and other pet sites can really come in handy — here are our top recs.
Pet Food Subscriptions
Paying for a food subscription is not only less expensive than buying bags as you need them. It also ensures your fur baby never runs out of food. Once you figure out how quickly your pet goes through a bag of food, schedule a new one to come a few days ahead of time. That way, you won’t find they’re out of food right before you have to go to work.
1. Amazon Subscribe & Save: It isn’t only high-end pet food that’s available for subscription. You can purchase almost any brand from Amazon for almost any pet imaginable, and take advantage of auto-ship on your schedule. For Purina Pro Plan Adult Dog Food, for example, auto-ship gets you $5 off per bag, so that will definitely save you money in the long run. It also combines with all of your other Subscribe & Save items, adding another 5% discount when you have five subscriptions.
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2. Chewy: Meow Mix, Meow Mix, please deliver! Chewy offers auto-ship for almost any type of pet food out there, including fresh, and you can save up to $10 per bag when you opt in. Meow Mix Original Choice is one of many varieties Chewy offers, that comes with balanced nutrition and high quality protein. Your cat will thank you.
3. Pet Supermarket: Pet Supermarket offers a wide range of cat and dog food options that can be purchased via auto-ship. Not only can you set how often you’d like a new shipment — you also save 35% on each bag of food. Plus, Stella and Chewy’s Raw Coated Small Breed Dog Food‘s raw ingredients are super healthy, so you’ll save time and money on vet appointments, in the long run.
4. PetCareRx: PetCareRx offers a wide range of pet food that’s also available via subscription, such as Hill’s Prescription Diet Joint Care Dry Dog Food. Although the site doesn’t seem to cut pet parents a deal, it’ll prevent you from having to buy something last-minute (and possibly lower quality!) at the grocery store.
Pet Supplement and Medication Subscriptions
Similar to a food subscriptions, there are many brands that offer pet medication subscriptions. They send you a steady shipment of any necessary supplements or meds, so you’ll never forget to re-up Heartgard, hip and joint supplements, or anti-anxiety medication.
1. Chewy: In addition to pet food, Chewy offers auto-ship for medications, including prescriptions. Whether you’re getting your dog’s monthly flea and tick protection, or supplements, you can get them on a steady schedule (and a pretty steep discount of 5% per bag, too!). Heartgard is just one essential medication every dog needs to prevent heartworm and other diseases, so this is a great place to get it.
2. Amazon: Amazon Subscribe & Save includes non-prescription pet pharmaceuticals, such as flea and tick prevention. Frontline Plus For Cats is one of many options for your fur baby, and not only does auto-ship save up to 15% on each order, but you can also opt for more doses per pack, which saves money, too.
3. Ultimate Pet Nutrition: Ultimate Pet Nutrition offers its own brand of foods and supplements for cats and dogs that you can buy in bulk and save on, like Nutra Thrive, a cat supplement that combines collagen, MSM, probiotics and more for all-around health. First time buyers get a $ off coupon, and the free VIP account lets you manage subscriptions.
4. Pet Wellness Direct: Pet Wellness Direct brings “vet science to your door” and makes six different highly rated products, including a probiotic, flea and tick shampoo, joint supplement, shampoo, oral bad breath spray and more for both cats and dogs. VetSmartFormulas Critical Immune Defense Powder contains compounds from mushrooms and turmeric. It helps immune function, promotes healthy cell development and protects your pup from illnesses. A subscribe and save feature saves you 15%.
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Pet Waste Solutions
Cleaning up after your pet is a must, and everyone hates running out of litter or bags. Many of our favorite pet sites offer subscriptions for things like poop bags, to promise you’ll never run out. That means you won’t be scrambling to pick up after your pup without a bag, ever again.
1. Amazon: Eco-friendly poop bags are a total must for pet owners, since your pets go through sometimes up to three a day. Earth Rated Poop Bags come in a box of 18 rolls, are leak proof and made from 65% recycled plastic, reducing your environmental impact. Amazon offers so many types of poop bags and pet waste solutions for auto-ship, and if you subscribe and save, you’ll get up to 10% off.
2. Chewy: Cats can go through so much litter per week, which is why a subscription for something like Tidy Cats Free & Clean Unscented Litter is so convenient. Chewy offers waste solutions for all kinds of pets, and the auto-ship feature will save you up to 35% on your first order.
3. Petflow: For puppies still working on potty training—and older dogs—a regular shipment of pee pads is essential. Four Paws Wee-Wee Pads are ultra absorbent and are treated to attract puppies when they need to go. Petflow offers all kinds of waste solutions, from wee-wee pads to dog bags, and opting for auto-ship will save long-term.
Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
Cleaning the litter box is just one more stressor for pet parents. So consider paying a little extra for a self-cleaning option. Your living space will smell much better, and your cleaning duties will become much easier — trust us.
1. Litter-Robot 4: See what the social media hype is all about with the Litter-Robot 4. This well-respected brand not only self-cleans, but it also works quietly to replace the litter itself. It comes in several colors and either a one- or three-year warranty. It will save you time on cleaning your cat’s box, and frustration with the stench that comes with out it.
2. MeoWant Self Cleaning Litter Box: The MeoWant Self Cleaning Litter Box not only features a large entrance, but it also offers safety alerts, to ensure your kitty won’t get stuck in the chamber. It connects to your smart phone, so you can monitor your cat’s habits and control it from wherever you are.
3. PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box: Chewy offers a wide range of self-cleaning litter boxes, including the PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box. Its SmartSpin technology detects your cats presence, and then quietly shuttles the waste into a sealed scent-proof drawer. It also gives insights on your cat’s bathroom habits, so you know how they’re doing, health-wise.
Automatic Feeders and Water Fountains
Busy pet parents might be working in an office, or simply running errands during the day. But you don’t want to worry about your cat or dog’s food and water levels when you aren’t there. That’s why automatic feeders and water fountains are so useful. They only need to be refilled every once in a while, and they promise your pet is satiated when you’re out of the house.
1. GAMMA2 NANO Automated Pet Feeder: Rest assured your cat or dog always has food whenever they need it, with the GAMMA2 NANO Automated Pet Feeder from Petmate. It has programmable features to control how much food they get at once, feeding times and speed. It notifies you when it has a low supply, and has a backup battery in case of power outages.
2. Fresh Flow Water Fountain: Your cat or dog shouldn’t run out of water when you’re out of the house, and because the Fresh Flow Water Fountain from Petmate holds 110 ounces (3.2 liters), it can last for days for smaller pets. It even recirculates water to keep it filtered and cool. It runs quietly and you can choose between white or grey, to match your aesthetic.
3. Automatic Cat Feeder, Water Fountain and Camera: Combining forces is Leicko’s 4.9-star rated, three-in-one Automatic Cat Feeder, Water Fountain and Camera. It your cat a steady amount of food and water while keeping an eye on them when you aren’t home. It’s made specifically for cats, since it’s on the smaller side, but it’s Wi-Fi and app enabled and has a backup battery for peace of mind.
Invisible Fences, Tracking and Cameras
Keeping track of your pets whether they’re playing outside or relaxing inside is crucial for safety. Invisible fence help your pet gets outside, without having to go on walks several times per day. Meanwhile, GPS devices reduce cause for concern so you can keep track of where they are, even if you’re walking with them. And even if they’re inside while you’re out of the house, surveillance cameras make sure they’re doing OK indoors, when you aren’t home.
1. Halo Collar 4: Make wireless fences and track your pup with Halo Collar 4. It allows you to create custom virtual fences to ensure they stay within the perimeter of your property. It prevents you from having to install any wires or physical fencing, because the boundaries are created virtually. And if you’re on a leash-free walk, you can rest assured you have their GPS location. Choose between four adorable colors.
2. eXtreme Underground Electric Fence System: If you’d prefer a foolproof fence with a physically wired system, Amazon’s eXtreme’s Underground Electric Fence System is easy to setup and was made to last. Each pro grade kit comes with 1,500 feet of pro grade underground wire , stakes, a transmitter, collar and more, and you upgrade if you have a bigger property. You can also add more collars if you have more than one dog, or want a backup.
3. Apple AirTag: While most think of using an Apple AirTag to keep track of your phone, keys, purse or backpack, it’s also a very popular and easy way to keep track of your cat or dog using GPS. Airtags connect to the Find My app, which you likely already have if you’re an iPhone user. There are hundreds of options for AirTag compatible collars and removeable holders .
4. Furbo Mini Pet Camera: When life started to resume post-COVID, almost every pet parent wanted a pet camera — and the Furbo Mini Pet Camera is one of the best. It can be connected to your phone, so you can check on your pet — and the rest of your home — at any time. And the speaker even allows you to talk to them… cute!
Pet Telehealth
Taking your pet to the vet for serious illnesses and injuries, vaccinations and tests is unavoidable. But sometimes — like humans — they have an ailment that can be addressed with a video call. Pet telehealth is on the rise, and there’s no question why. This is a great tool for pet parents to ensure their fur babies are happy and healthy.
1. Dutch Online Vet Care: Dutch Online Vet Care is a telehealth company that’s available 24 hours per day. It can prescribe and deliver any necessary treatments to your door. You’ll pick a plan and pay for a membership. Then you’ll schedule a call with a licensed vet, and receive unlimited care and follow-ups. It gives pet parents a little relief, knowing medical care is at their fingertips.
2. Chewy Connect With a Vet: In addition to offering a variety of pet essentials, food and medical subscriptions, Chewy’s Connect With a Vet feature allows you to video chat or instant message a vet in a matter of minutes. Live chat is free, while video calls cost $20 per 15-minute call. They can offer food and nutrition advice; skin treatments; answers to questions regarding behaviors; and new pet advice.
3. Vetster: Offering on-demand vet care, Vetster lets you book an appointment for your pet at any time. Practitioners can recommend OTC products, prescribe medications and give dietary recommendations. First, you’ll register your pet, list your concerns, and pick a time that works for you. Medical appointments start at $50, but appointment prices vary if you choose to communicate via text, video or phone call.
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