Ultimate Guide to Free Pet Food Samples

Pet food companies are among the most generous with free samples, and for good reason. Once a pet develops a taste preference, owners tend to stick with that brand for years. This means brands are highly motivated to get their products into your pet's bowl. Here's how to take full advantage.

Premium Dog Food Samples

Blue Buffalo offers free samples of their Life Protection Formula through their website. Simply fill out the request form and choose between adult, puppy, or senior formulas. The sample is typically a generous portion, enough for two to three meals for a medium-sized dog. They also sample their Wilderness line, which is their grain-free, high-protein option.

Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and Hill's Science Diet all offer samples through veterinary offices. Ask your vet at your next visit — they receive cases of sample bags specifically for distribution. Many vets will give you multiple bags if you explain you're comparing brands. Purina also runs direct sampling through their website at ProPlan.com.

Cat Food Samples

Fancy Feast and Sheba both send free sample cans through their websites. Fancy Feast typically offers their Gourmet line, while Sheba sends their Perfect Portions twin packs. These are ideal for picky cats since you can test flavors without committing to a full case.

Wellness, Merrick, and Nulo all offer cat food samples through their websites and social media. These premium brands know their products are more expensive, so they're eager to prove the quality difference. Follow them on Instagram and watch for sampling promotions that pop up monthly.

Pet Treat Samples

Milk-Bone, Greenies, and Zuke's regularly distribute free treat samples at pet stores and through their websites. PetSmart and Petco both have sampling programs where brands set up tasting stations, similar to grocery store demos. Visit on weekends for the best selection of sampling events.

BarkBox and KitNipBox offer discounted or free first boxes that include treats along with toys. While the subscription continues at full price, the first box is an excellent way to discover new treat brands your pet enjoys. Many pet owners cycle through trial offers from different subscription services.

Specialty and Prescription Diet Samples

If your pet has dietary restrictions, sample programs become even more valuable. Hill's Prescription Diet, Royal Canin Veterinary, and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets all provide samples through veterinary clinics. These specialty foods are expensive, so being able to confirm your pet will eat them before buying a full bag saves significant money.

For raw and freeze-dried food, brands like Stella and Chewy's, Primal, and Open Farm offer sample sizes through independent pet stores. These boutique shops are more likely to carry sample packs and often have their own loyalty programs that include free products.

Tips for Pet Food Sampling

Always transition slowly when trying new foods — mix a small amount with your pet's current food over several days. Sign up for loyalty programs at PetSmart, Petco, and local pet stores for exclusive sample offers. Join online pet communities on Reddit and Facebook where members share current sample links. And remember, veterinary offices are one of the best untapped sources for premium pet food samples.