Mr. Chewy Pet Food and Treat Delivery Service Review

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Bonnie

Mr. Chewy Pet Food and Treat Delivery Service Review

By: Bonnie Sweebe

I was contacted to do a review on a pet food and treat delivery service called Mr. Chewy. Mr. Chewy sells dog food, dog treats, dog potty pads, cat food, cat treats, cat litter, and flea and tick medications. Their website is fun and easy to navigate. The blue and yellow colors used are pleasing to the eye and the Mr. Chewy logo is very cute.

Mr. Chewy’s claim is that the company delivers happiness and also gives free 1-2 day shipping on all orders of $49 or more which is easy to do when you are buying premium dog food. The dog food selections are arranged by brand, species, food form (dry, canned, powder, etc.), lifestage and speciality (gluten free, grain free, etc.). I will be purchasing dog food so that is what the review is focusing on.

The site listed 54 brands of dog food with several selections within each brand. I chose Innova, which is what my two golden retrievers eat, and clicked the brand link. There were 16 different choices within the Innova brand, 7 canned food choices and 9 dry food choices. My dogs eat dry, so I clicked the dry tab. Within the dry tab there were Puppy, Adult and Senior choices. My dogs are adults, so I clicked the adult tab.

Mr. Chew offers 70 brands of pet food

Within the adult tab, I had 6 more choices. I could select adult small bites, adult large bites, adult large breed, low fat formula, red meat formula small bites and red meat formula large bites. I chose a 30 lb. bag of large breed adult dry dog food for $58.99.

Upon checkout, I was prompted to set up a new customer order form that included name, email address, and a password. The site was secure as shown by the lock near the address bar. Then I had to fill out my shipping address and payment information, and the website gave you the opportunity of setting up regular deliveries and/or using a promo code on your order.

Mr. Chewy delivery dog

In 2 days, as promised, a box appeared at my door. The 30 pound bag of dog food was in a shipping box and arrived in perfect condition. It was the exact same product that I would have purchased at the big box stores and I didn’t have to pay sales tax or haul the heavy bag.

Mr. Chewy delivery arrives

To compare prices, I went to the stores that I regularly go to when purchasing my dog food. I went to Petco and Landmark.

First of all, Landmark didn’t have my size bag available. So I would have had to buy the smaller bag and come back again, or drive to Petco. I drove to Petco.

Petco had Innova on sale that week. Even with the sale, Mr. Chewy was cheaper and Mr. Chewy delivers right to my door. With Mr. Chewy, I wouldn’t have to haul the 30 lb. bag of dog food off the shelf to the cart, off the cart to the counter, off the counter to the car, out of the car and into the house. I have a weak back, so I appreciate the delivery very much!

Mr. Chewy price comparisons

But what about customer service? I checked their website. Mr. Chewy offers a Live Chat so I anonymously clicked and spoke with a friendly operator. Because Mr. Chewy also sells flea protection, I though I would ask the operator to explain their claim that Mr. Chewy only sells USA Frontline flea prevention. She explained to me that there is a company named Merial, an American company based in Georgia that oversees the products that are made in their plant in France. She assured me that it is USA Frontline and that Merial in Georgia inspects all products before release. I also asked her about purchasing flea prevention over the internet versus at a veterinarian’s office. She said that both Mr. Chewy and the veterinarian purchase the products from the same distributor. It is coming from the same place.

I then switched gears to product freshness. I asked her what the turnaround time was for a bag of dog food at Mr. Chewy. She said that Mr. Chewy stocks all items fresh and that the bags last about a year, so I should expect my expiration date to be at least 6-9 months away.

With regard to food and treats that are purchased from other countries, she said that it is up to the individual owner to know where their pet food company is headquartered and buy appropriately. Innova is made in the USA and manufactured in Fremont, Nebraska. Mr. Chewy sells many quality brands.

IN CONCLUSION…

For me, Mr. Chewy provided me convenience, saved my back and gave me a lower price for the exact same product I would buy in the big box stores. And if I would have set up a regular delivery, I would have received an even greater discount and I would never have to worry about the dog bin being empty ever again, which is especially appreciated when you run out of dog food at 6 a.m.

Full Disclosure: I received a product discount to facilitate this review with the stipulation that I give an honest review of the services provided. I have done so. Results may vary. Compare your dog food brands.

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Bonnie Sweebe is a dog lover, dog owner, dog advocate, and rescue and service dog volunteer. She is also the owner of WelcomePup.com, an online dog gift delivery company.

Edible Dog Food – Kathie Lee Gives It A Try!

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Bonnie

Edible Dog Food – Would You Eat It?

Kathie Lee Gifford gives edible dog food a try. Have you ever tried dog food? What did you think?

Let us know in the comment section below. This should be interesting…

Product Review: The Neater Feeder

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Bonnie

Is Your Dog A Sloppy Drinker?

Get The No-Spill Dog Bowl–The Neater Feeder!

by: Bonnie Sweebe

Got a sloppy drinker? Spilled water can be rough on a floor. It can seep behind baseboards and cause wood rot. You could try something like this:

But why not try something like this:

I purchased my Neater Feeder from Frontgate. Neater Feeders are available for dogs and cats. They come in two colors, bronze (above) and cranberry. They come in one size for cats and two sizes (small and large) for dogs. The above feeder is the large feeder and the extension legs (that other companies sell separately) are included when you purchase your feeder at Frontgate.

At first, the Neater Feeder had to pass Skye’s quality control sniff test.

She was impressed with the quality and design of the product. She noticed that any water spillage flowed to the drain and was caught in the reservoir below. She realized that the slanted design prevented bacteria growth and that was a big high five.

The design also affords the dogs an ergonomical way to eat. The extension legs can be used to reach the proper feeding height that aides in digestion and prevents joint and neck strain.

She also noted that the design edge makes the Neater Feeder virtually ant and pest proof. Great if you live in the South.

But would the dogs use it? At first, there was a stand-off:

But seconds later:

Sydney and Skye both loved it! Because the dog’s head fully encompasses the food bowl, if one dog finishes eating first, it cannot get to the other dog’s portion. No more food fights!

I don’t know about you, but the Neater Feeder seems like a visual and functional no-brainer. Easy to clean, easy to use,WelcomePup.com gives this dog feeder five paws!

If you own a Neater Feeder, we’d like to hear your comments below!

Dog Food Tips to Prevent Dog Obesity

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Bonnie

Dog Obesity

By: Bonnie Sweebe

Obesity is an American epidemic. It increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and joint pain. Obesity is also prevalent in a quarter of American dogs. Is your dog one of them?

A trim healthy dog has a waistline. Flesh covered ribs can be felt.

Not the case with an obese dog. Excess weight causes the body to appear sausage-like. Ribs may be difficult to detect.

It's the responsibility of a dog's owner to control a dog's weight!

Dogs and dog owners can take charge of weight gain with diet and exercise. However, there is a human element to dog obesity. It is the human that puts the food into the dog’s mouth.

Cut back on the treats. Give your dog carrots, instead!

Dogs don’t shop for their food. That’s why it is important that dog owners read dog food labels when considering what is best for their dog.

A visit to the pet supermarket to compare labels is a good start. However, with so many food choices available, how do you know what dog food is right for your dog?

If you purchased your puppy from a breeder, ask the breeder what he or she has been feeding the puppy, how much, and what he or she recommends as the puppy approaches adulthood. You can also search for canine nutritional information on the internet or at the library.

Then, when you take the puppy to your veterinarian for its well puppy check-up and vaccinations, ask the vet for his or her advice. They can help you sift through the multitude of health benefit claims and declarations made by pet owners and pet food manufacturers and give you an idea as to the quantity of food your puppy needs now and into the future.

For example, my golden retriever gets 2 cups of dry kibble per day. The package instructs me to feed 3 3/8 cups per day. If I did that, my dog would go from the fit dog in picture one above to the sausage-looking dog right below it. You must monitor your dog’s weight. Take your veterinarian’s advice over the dog food package recommendations that are oftentimes overstated.

There are four basic types of dog food:

1) RAW: Also called the BARF Diet (Bones And Raw Foods). A raw food diet is just what it sounds like: you feed your dog raw meat (including organs), bones as well as some fruits and vegetables. The raw food diet attempts to mimic the eating preferences of dogs before they were domesticated. Although there are no official studies to support the fact that a raw food diet benefits a dog long-term, some raw food advocates claim health benefits such as a shinier coat, increased energy from protein and less stool. Disadvantages of the raw food diet include bacterial contamination from raw meat, dietary imbalance resulting from misinformation and the possibility of bone ingestion resulting in a choking or intestinal hazard.

2) DRY: Often referred to as kibble, dry dog food has many advantages. Dry dog food is low in moisture (a dog needs less food to feel full). Many dog owners think that dry dog food is better for a dog’s teeth and that dry dog food produces better smelling dog breath. The shelf life of dry dog food is usually one year. Therefore, dog owners can purchase large quantities of dog food. The disadvantage of dry dog food is that with the dry comes an increased risk of more filler product. Thus, it is important to check the dog food labels to be sure that the main ingredients are not fillers but instead quality ingredients.

3) SEMI-MOIST: Semi-moist dog foods, the dough-like food products shaped into burgers, ground round, steaks or candy-like ribbons are not a good choice for a healthy dog diet. Often full of preservatives, additives and sugar, these moldable food products have a shelf life equivalent to a certain golden American snack cake. Some dogs have had reports of stomach upset and diarrhea. For nutrition’s sake, avoid semi-moist dog foods.

4) CANNED: The shelf life of unopened canned (or wet) dog food is two years. Therefore, dog owners can purchase large quantities of dog food. Canned dog food is very appetizing to most dogs. Canned dog food contains water. The mixture of water and food produce a strong odor that dogs like. Some dog owners claim that dogs prefer canned over dry dog food because it is more flavorful (although no one I’ve read admits to actually tasting it). This flavorful food makes dogs want more. Knowing this, dog owners should be aware of portion size. There is no need to preserve canned dog food, so it contains little or no preservatives. However, there have been claims that wet dog food contains more additives and is bad for a dog’s teeth (wet food can lodge between teeth). People claim wet dog food gives their dog bad breath and sometimes causes gastrointestinal upset. Others claim that once a dog is accustomed to eating wet dog food that it is a grueling chore to switch the dog to dry dog food.

7 Things to Consider When Comparing Dog Food Labels:

1) Package label portion sizes are oftentimes overestimated. Consult your veterinarian for the proper portion size for your dog.

2) Dog food contains protein (animal or plant/grain), vitamins and fatty acids. Look for meat, fish or eggs as the main ingredient(s). Chicken and lamb are preferred. These ingredients are of high quality and are easily digestible and absorbed.

3) While both chicken and chicken meal contain protein, chicken meal is preferred over chicken because the volume differs. (Guarantee Analysis) Chicken meal is ground into small particles with water removed. Chicken consists of three-fourths water.

4) Look for dog foods that contain corn versus soy or wheat. Certain dogs are more susceptible to allergies when eating dog food that contains soy or wheat.

5) Remember that there is no one dog food that is best for dogs. Each dog has different tastes and may react physically to one dog food over another.

I feel comfortable with the ingredients listed on this label. However not all foods agree with all dogs. You need to do your homework and ask for advice from your veterinarian.

6) The cost of a dog food does not necessarily translate to a better dog food. Check the labels and compare.

7) Certainly diarrhea or a consistently loose stool are good reasons to check with your veterinarian to determine if a change in diet would benefit your dog. An itchy dog or a dog with a dull or dry coat could be another reason to consult your veterinarian for a dietary switch.

Where dog food is concerned, one size does not fit all. Taking the advice of your breeder and/or veterinarian and monitoring your dog’s eating habits and portion size can result in a healthy happy dog.

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Bonnie Sweebe is a dog lover, dog owner, dog advocate, and rescue and service dog volunteer. She is also the owner of WelcomePup.com, an online dog gift delivery company.