Pet Supply Samples: Free and Discounted Treats, Toys, and Essentials for Your Pets
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Pets are family, and spoiling them with toys, treats, and quality food feels natural—but the costs can add up quickly. Luckily, many brands and retailers offer free or discounted pet supply samples that let you treat your furry friend without straining your budget.
Why Companies Offer Pet Supply Samples
Pet supply companies are in fierce competition for your loyalty. By giving you free or heavily discounted samples, they’re betting that once your pet loves the food, treats, or toy, you’ll come back for the full-sized version. This strategy benefits you too, because it means you can test new products without paying upfront.
Samples also give pet owners peace of mind before committing to expensive specialty diets, especially if a pet has allergies or sensitivities. Instead of wasting money on a bag of food your pet won’t eat, you can try before you buy.
Where to Find Free and Discounted Samples
Many brands and retailers make it easy to score samples—you just need to know where to look.
Pet food brands like Blue Buffalo and Hill’s Science Diet occasionally offer free sample packs through their websites or by request. Signing up for email lists or loyalty programs often comes with trial-size food, coupons, or special discounts.
Major retailers such as PetSmart and Petco regularly provide free samples during in-store events, like adoption days or product launches. Both also have loyalty programs that deliver exclusive coupons and birthday treats for your pets.
Subscription boxes like BarkBox and Meowbox sometimes offer heavily discounted first-month deals, letting you test premium toys and treats at a fraction of the price.
Leverage Loyalty and Reward Programs
Joining a loyalty program is one of the easiest ways to unlock ongoing freebies. For example, PetSmart’s Treats Rewards and Petco’s Vital Care program provide members with exclusive coupons, points on purchases, and occasional free items.
Some programs even give out freebies on your pet’s birthday or adoption anniversary, which is a fun way to celebrate without extra cost. Over time, the points you accumulate can translate into significant savings on essentials like litter, food, and grooming products.
Connect With Your Vet and Local Shelters
Veterinarians often receive sample packs of food, supplements, and medications from pet supply companies. Ask during your next visit if they have any available—you might walk away with free trial bags of food or new treats to test.
Animal shelters and rescue groups also partner with brands to distribute promotional items. Volunteering or attending local pet adoption events can sometimes give you access to sample packs while supporting a good cause.
Use Social Media and Online Freebie Boards
Brands frequently promote giveaways and contests through their social media channels. Following your favorite pet brands on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter keeps you in the loop for flash promotions.
Freebie websites and forums often list current offers, from coupons for free bags of pet food to trial-size treats delivered by mail. While not every sample is available in all areas, regularly checking these boards can help you snag the best deals before they expire.
Pair Samples With Smart Shopping
Samples stretch further when you combine them with smart shopping strategies. For example, using a free sample pack to transition to a new food can reduce the number of days you rely on a full bag. Stacking samples with store coupons or sales can also make higher-end pet products affordable.
If you’re trying out multiple sample packs, keep track of which ones your pet actually likes—there’s no sense in buying a full-size bag of food your dog refuses to eat.
Make It Part of Your Long-Term Budget Strategy
Relying on free samples alone won’t cover all your pet’s needs, but incorporating them into your routine can significantly reduce costs over time. Think of it as a way to supplement your budget while still giving your pet high-quality products.
For example, if you get just one free or discounted sample bag of food per month, that could add up to several weeks of free meals over a year. Paired with reward points, coupons, and occasional discounted subscription boxes, you can save hundreds annually while still spoiling your pet.
The Bottom Line
Pets deserve the best, but that doesn’t mean you have to overspend. By tapping into free and discounted samples from brands, retailers, vets, and community events, you can discover new products, keep your pets happy, and stretch your budget further. The combination of loyalty programs, smart shopping, and online freebies makes it easier than ever to spoil your pet without guilt.
Sources