Shopping online the norm
I’m trying to remember the last time I bought dog food at a physical store. It’s been a while, and much of that has to do with my own shift in buying. There’s comfort in knowing I don’t have to haul a 50-pound bag of kibble, and that I have options to try out products without being judged.
Don’t take it personally
All of us share strong opinions of what we should feed our families (pets included). As with all parents, we try our best for those we love.
Yes, sometimes I let my children enjoy unhealthy snacks, the occasional Capri Sun, and flavored apple sauce that come in drinkable pouches. I am that way with pet food as well.
And food is the most important area we invest in as pet parents. US pet owners will spend $29.88 Billion on food this year, according to the APPA.
Delivered to your doorstep
Buying is happening online with much of it taking place on Amazon, PetSmart’s Chewy.com, Walmart.com, and specialty pet retailers. There’s also a growing segment of owners drawn to human-grade dog food with delivery services like Ollie, NomNomNow, and The Farmer’s Dog.
The trend should not be surprising. Particularly in urban centers, people are used to delivery services like Instacart and Postmates. DIY convenience cooking is a thing with the unbelievable popularity of the Instant Pot (yes! I am one of them) — not to mention DIY meal-kit services like Hello Fresh, Blue Apron and Plated.
Curated food options
With the dizzying array of pet food options (brands, SKUs, sizes, life stages, grain-free options, freeze-dried, kibble, human-grade, frozen, etc.), shopping can be overwhelming.
I enjoy my trips to Trader Joe’s because of the limited, curated selections and consistent store layout. I know exactly what I want, so I end up saving time and money. Curation can provide a level of consistency and quality vs. an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach.
Petcube.com has rolled out pet food online with emphasis on curation, convenience, and additional savings for members. Highlighted in the news and blog post.
Decision decisions….
Going back to the question, what do you feed your pet? Maybe it’s not that straightforward and clear cut. Each journey is personal, and tastes and life stages often dictate what you choose. Variety, nutrition, convenience, and price are general factors. Tack on the occasional cheat day and holidays, pampering from the friends and relatives, and those moments of inexplicable generosity.
And today, I’m feeling generous.
FlyteLiving 