How to Get Free Cat Food at the Supermarket: A Simple Trick to Save Big
As a cat owner, you want the best for your furry friend—but let’s face it, cat food isn’t cheap! The good news is, you don’t have to break the bank to keep your cat’s bowl full. With a little bit of effort, you can get free cat food right from your local supermarket. Yes, you heard that right—free cat food! Here’s how you can take advantage of in-store promotions, loyalty programs, and more to feed your cat for free.
1. Join Supermarket Loyalty Programs for Discounts and Freebies
One of the easiest ways to save money—and even score free cat food—is by signing up for your supermarket’s loyalty program. These programs are free to join and can give you access to exclusive deals, personalized coupons, and sometimes even free products.
How It Works:
Sign up for free: Most supermarkets offer loyalty programs that don’t cost anything to join. You can sign up either in-store or online.
Earn rewards: Every time you shop, you earn points or discounts, and these can be used for savings on future purchases—sometimes even free products like cat food!
Get personalized offers: Many programs send you special discounts based on your shopping habits, which often include pet food.
Example:
Take Kroger’s loyalty program, for example. After signing up, you’ll earn Kroger Fuel Points with every purchase, which can later be redeemed for discounts on your grocery bill. But that’s not all—Kroger also sends personalized coupons, and you might get a coupon for free cat food after accumulating enough points. It’s that simple!
2. Watch for In-Store Promotions and Free Samples
Supermarkets often run in-store promotions where you can get free samples of new products—including cat food. These promotions are typically temporary but a great way to try out new brands or types of food without spending a cent.
How to Find These Promotions:
Check the pet food aisle: Take a few minutes to browse the pet food section during your regular grocery trip. Supermarkets often set up special displays for free samples.
Ask an employee: Don’t be shy! Ask a store employee if there are any free samples or promotions available, especially for pet food brands.
Look for flyers or coupons: Some stores will include free sample offers in their weekly flyers or email newsletters.
Example:
At Walmart, you might find a free sample of Purina Cat Chow near the pet food section, or get a coupon for a free item when you purchase other grocery items. These promotions are often linked to new product launches, so they’re worth checking out.
3. Take Advantage of Cash Back Apps and Rebates
You can also earn free cat food through cash back apps like Ibotta or Fetch Rewards. These apps reward you for purchasing qualifying products, including pet food, by giving you cash back or points that can be redeemed for free items.
How to Use These Apps:
Download the app: Get started by downloading a cash back app like Ibotta or Fetch Rewards on your phone.
Browse available offers: These apps will show you offers for specific brands of cat food.
Buy the product: Head to the supermarket, buy the eligible cat food, and upload your receipt to the app to claim your cash back.
Redeem rewards: As you accumulate cash or points, you can use them to get gift cards or free products—including more cat food!
Example:
With Ibotta, you might find a deal for Purina Friskies at Target. After purchasing the product and uploading your receipt, you’ll earn cash back, which can add up to enough for a free bag of cat food on your next shopping trip. It’s an easy way to save on pet food every time you shop!
4. Look for Coupons for Free Cat Food
Supermarkets often offer digital or printable coupons that can help you get free cat food or significant discounts. These coupons are typically available on the store’s website, app, or coupon websites.
How to Find Coupons:
Check the store app: Many stores, like CVS, have their own apps where you can find digital coupons for cat food.
Sign up for email newsletters: Stores often send out special coupons to their email subscribers, so make sure you’re on their list.
Visit coupon websites: Websites like Coupons.com or RetailMeNot regularly list printable or digital coupons for pet food.
Example:
CVS regularly sends out coupons through their ExtraCare Rewards Program. For example, you might get a buy one, get one free deal on Friskies cat food, making it easy to feed your cat for free while stocking up on other essentials.
5. Look for Pet Food Trial Offers
Some pet food brands offer free trials or discounted starter packs for new customers. These trials let you test out a product without committing to buying a full-size bag of cat food.
How to Find Trial Offers:
Check online: Some brands, like Smalls or Pet Plate, offer first-time customers a free trial of their fresh or premium cat food.
Sign up for subscription services: If you’re willing to sign up for a subscription service, some pet food companies offer free or discounted trial meals as part of their introduction offer.
Example:
Smalls (a fresh cat food brand) often offers a free trial pack for first-time customers. You pay only for shipping, and you get to try out fresh meals for your cat without any upfront cost. It’s a great way to feed your cat healthy food for free—at least for the first few meals!
Conclusion
Getting free cat food at the supermarket is easier than you think! Whether it’s through loyalty programs, in-store promotions, cash back apps, coupons, or trial offers, there are plenty of opportunities to save money and keep your cat well-fed without breaking the bank.
The next time you head to the store, be on the lookout for these deals to score free cat food and save money for other things you need.
Happy shopping, and may your cat’s bowl always be full!