5 Tips When Buying From An Online Pet Shop
Today, almost everything can be bought online, thanks to e-Commerce. Online shopping is a lifesaver to a lot of people, especially now that everyone is encouraged to stay at home because of the global pandemic. Aside from buying basic household necessities, you shouldn’t forget about your pets at home. If you haven’t realized it yet, pets mostly keep you company at home, and they deserve the best care and products on the market.
Now, not all pet foods and treats are created equally, and it can get confusing as you shop online for them. What works for others’ pets might not work for yours and vice versa. There are several factors that you need to consider when buying from an online pet shop—whether you’re buying food, treats, accessories, and even maintenance products. Today, here are five tips to remember when buying from an online pet shop:
- Check Online Options First
This tip not only works for first-time buyers who don’t know where to shop online for pet needs, but seasoned veterans as well. If you’re used to buying pet products in store, switching to online shopping could be a breeze if you know your options. How do you do this? You can simply search for the most recommended products for your pet’s species and start there. You’ll be surprised to find several tips and recommendations from those who regularly shop at online pet stores.
After taking a look at these recommended products, you’ll be directed to websites from where you can purchase them. One of the most recommended online pet shops in Australia is PetCulture. Aside from a wide selection of products for all kinds of pets, their website also offers a rewards program that lets you earn points for each purchase. In return, these points can be converted to discounts, pet insurance, pet healthcare advice, and even personalized pet products.
- Consider Your Pet’s Dietary Needs
Another factor is your pet’s special dietary needs. It’s easy to shop online for basic pet products, but it’s a different story when your pet has a specific diet set by your veterinarian. These types of diets are imposed by vets to better manage your pet’s health conditions. One good example is when your pet is suffering from kidney disease. As such, their diet should be lower in protein.
Furthermore, some pets need hypoallergenic, natural, or grain-free foods. To better assess your pets’ nutritional requirements, make sure you visit your veterinarian first before feeding them anything.
- Go For Reliable Brands
As a pet owner, you’ll come across a variety of brands that all promise the best quality ingredients. As a responsible fur parent, though, it’s your decision to pick the most sensible brand that you can trust and rely on and that fits within your budget. Remember, not all expensive brands are the best, and cheaper alternatives do not always mean lower quality in retrospect.
The main question is, how do you spot a reliable pet product brand?
One rule of the thumb is to check the list of ingredients that their products contain. From where do they source these ingredients? Are they safe for your pets? What do credible pet product reviewers say about this specific product? For example, when buying an all wormer product for your cat’s flea problems, do a lot of cat owners vouch for its effectivity and its ease of administration?
These are some of the questions to keep in mind to help you know how reliable a pet product brand is. You can also ask around or look for online reviews to see if consumers are satisfied with the brand’s products.
- Refund Policy
Buying from an online pet shop is not exactly the same as buying at a physical pet store. Some sellers don’t allow returns and exchanges, so you have to carefully check their policy first before placing an order.
If they do accept returns and exchange, what are the terms? Do they offer free returns or will you have to pay for the shipping costs for returning the pet products? Having this information beforehand will help so you’ll know what to expect upon ordering.
- Compare Prices
As mentioned, high prices don’t always translate to high quality. However, admittedly, pet products containing healthier, better-quality, and organic ingredients tend to cost more than the generic brands. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t look for good deals and prices when buying from an online pet shop.
Another tip is to look for an online pet shop that offers discounts for bulk purchases or free shipping. Of course, you have to check the products’ expiration dates first, particularly pet foods and treats. For other pet products, though, like dental care products for your dog or cat, they usually have longer expiration dates.
You can also check out stores’ promotional offers for first-time customers who place their first order. Some online pet shops even have discount codes or vouchers upon signing up on their websites.
Conclusion
Of course, ensuring your pet’s health all falls on you as their pet parent. And choosing a reliable online pet shop is the first step to ensure your pets’ good health and well-being. There are several deals and promotional offers that you can find online if you’re looking for an online pet shop. You just have to learn how to search for them and to also check their reliability and quality.
With the help of these tips above, you no longer have to blind buy or search cluelessly for the best pet care products. Before you know it, you’ll be buying food or treats for your pets in the comfort of your own home while cozying up on the sofa and cuddling with your fur babies.