We love our pets and always want the best for them, which is why we spend money on pet goodies to make our companions happy.
Since we all love a freebie, can we get the same for our beloved pets?
Yes.
There are several companies that will give you freebies for your favorite furry friend, which makes running errands or taking walks with them that much more fun at no extra cost to you! All you need to know is where to look, and these perks will be at your disposal.
We all love to give gifts to our animal companions, and getting these gifts for free is an added bonus. Alternatively, you could find some pet coupons to save on purchases.
Read on to discover pet freebies available to you and your fur baby.
Table of Contents:
- What are pet freebies?
- Where to get pet freebies
What are pet freebies?
Pet freebies come in different forms. Some delight our pets, while others reward us for being fantastic pet parents. It's hard not to be obsessed with your dog or cat (even if they're naughty at times), and several businesses understand that.
This is why a lot of businesses go above and beyond to show their pet-friendly side.
Dog owners in the United States spend an average of $1,200 per year on their pet, while cat owners spend an average of $687. Pet freebies might not be much, but they can help save on these expenses.
If you bring your pet along when getting food or drink at certain restaurants, they'll extend a pet snack, such as whipped cream. This way, your pet won’t stare at you with envy while you enjoy your snack or drink.
You can also enjoy freebies at pet-friendly hotels, and they’ll often offer your pet treats during your stay at no cost. Some will even provide pet room service at heavily discounted prices to ensure your pet enjoys the visit.
The retailers you buy pet supplies from may also offer a few freebies. Some of them include free food, pet accessories, or training sessions for your pet. You can also get a wide variety of pet-themed accessories for yourself, such as mugs, t-shirts, or even hoodies.
The secret here is to know where to look, as most of these perks aren't heavily advertised. But that’s where we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at some businesses you can visit to enjoy freebies for you and your fur baby.
Where to get pet freebies
In this section, we’ll dive into a variety of pet freebies and where to find them. Plus, most of these perks are also available online — as some pet parents prefer to make purchases over the internet.
Pet food
Chick-fil-A is the top-ranking fast-food chain in the United States in terms of customer satisfaction, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. You've probably driven past one or visited a branch near you for some chicken nuggets or their classic chicken sandwich.
They have a secret dog treat that's not on their menu. The restaurant doesn't make dog treats but hands them out to customers coming through the drive-through. All you have to do is ask for the treat, and depending on what's available, they'll give it to you. A typical treat you can get here's a "pup cup," which is a scoop of ice cream topped with a dog treat.
The Starbucks puppuccino is one of the most famous pet treats available today. It's a secret menu item that you have to ask for.
The puppuccino is whipped cream in an espresso or short-sized cup and is a favorite item for dogs.
If you don't know it by name, just ask for a little whipped cream on the side. Make sure that your dog has no food sensitivities when asking for this treat, but generally, it's safe for most of them.
While the puppuccino is free, be sure to buy something else at the cafe, as it is designed for customers who come to pick up their purchase.
Like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts has a special treat for your pet called the Puppy Latte or the Cup for Pup. It's a four-ounce cup with whipped cream, perfect for dogs and cats who like it.
This treat is free, but on some days, the store might ask for $1 to boost their charity initiative, Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation.
Dairy Queen, a famous food brand, has a secret dog menu item called a Pup Cup — and it’s free! The cup contains a small serving of vanilla soft-serve ice cream and a dog biscuit floating on it. Some stores will even give you an extra biscuit! If your pet isn’t sensitive to dairy products, they’ll likely find this treat delicious.
Due to the demand for these Pup Cups, some outlets charge $1.39 for them, so be sure to confirm when you head over to one near you.
Tim Hortons, a Canadian restaurant with branches in the U.S, is known for doughnuts and coffee. Their Timbits, which are essentially mini-donuts, are the standout pick from the menu. If you visit a Tim Hortons branch, ask for a pet-friendly Timbit, and they'll give you one that has no added sugar for your pet.
There's a limit of one donut per pet.
Sonic Drive-In is acclaimed for its burgers and fries, but customers are also eligible for pet treats. Mostly, customers eat Sonic foods in their cars while parked in one of the stalls, and it's always a good idea to give your pet a treat to enjoy as you finish your meal.
The pet treats available at Sonic include a doggie treat, which varies by location. Most of these treats are readily available, so ask the person you're ordering from, and they'll bring it to you. Alternatively, they can give your pet a pup cup, like the one offered at Dairy Queen or Starbucks.
Culver's, a Wisconsin-based burger joint, is known for its "ButterBurgers," french fries, and other foods. While this chain isn’t as large as some of the others we’ve explored, it's one of the most pet-friendly ones.
Most of the Culver’s outlets have a defined dog-friendly sitting space. If your pet needs fresh water to quench their thirst, Culver's staff will readily provide it. Also, Culver’s has special dog treats available to pet owners on request.
Culver’s drive-through customers get a dog biscuit on request, and, if they’re lucky, they can even get it served on a scoop of special vanilla custard. Make sure your dog can tolerate dairy products before taking this pet freebie.
Pet travel deals
Several Hyatt hotels have pet deals that you can enjoy, but this varies by location, and you should check with a specific one before going. Their different brands have varying amenities, including the pet deals available.
For example, the Alila Hotels and Resort, a new addition to the Hyatt family, is very dog-friendly, despite having a single location in California in the U.S. On arrival, you’ll receive a dog bed, water bowl, and dog brochure with all the perks your four-legged friend will enjoy.
Also, the hotel has a resident Sheepadoodle your dog can play with if they’re friendly.
The Hyatt Centric, an upscale brand in the Hyatt family, is known for its modern boutique hotels across multiple cities. They've curated spaces not only for you but for pets as well. In fact, their pet-friendly hotels encourage you to bring your poochie along.
The Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami is known for its Wooftop, a large party spot where your dogs can run around while you enjoy cocktails and watch them play.
The Red Roof Inn has one of the most friendly pet policies, as owners are allowed to bring one dog weighing up to 80 pounds. This weight restriction doesn't apply to emotional support and service animals.
Depending on the area, hotel management sometimes allows you to bring more pets at their discretion. However, specific restrictions apply for all locations, and you should double-check with the particular branch you’re visiting before your pet tags along.
Westin Hotels and Resorts are pet friendly, with most of their locations known for rolling out red carpets for all guests and pets alike. The locations that accept pets specify that they should be below the 50 lb limit, save for a few exceptions — some charge a small fee to allow you to bring a pet, while others give you this perk for free.
Check in with a specific Westin Hotel to understand the details before planning a visit. Most of the available perks are at the manager’s discretion. However, the hotels have numerous pet amenities — for instance, luxurious pet custom beds, floor mats, food bowls, ID tags, and more.
When you check in with your companion, you'll receive a doggie welcome kit that has an itinerary of all the local pet activities and places you can visit so that they also can enjoy your stay.
Additional hotels that are pet-friendly include:
- The Venetian, Las Vegas, offers a barkbox at check-in.
- Loews Hotels and Resorts offers pet room service.
- Kimpton Hotels welcomes pets that can fit through the door and offers amenities like pet beds, toys, and bowls.
- Mandarin Oriental offers dog and cat food, as well as additional freebies — for instance, toys, a plush bed, and homemade treats.
- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts accept pets for free and offer multiple pet amenities.
Pet treats
Places you buy pet supplies, as well as online pet clubs and organizations, offer great freebies for your four-legged friend. These are great buys for pet owners who love to give their pets gifts.
Petco, a popular pet supplies store, has a rewards club where pet owners enjoy discounts when they sign up and become members. This can also include cash back or store credit.
If you make purchases through the Petco app, you'll get your eighth package of food and eighth grooming session for free. Also, Petco offers free half-hour training sessions at specific locations.
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Petsmart, another pet supply store, has a rewards program where members enjoy several perks, including a free surprise on their birthday.
Other perks include eight points for every dollar spent, and you earn freebies once you accumulate one thousand points. When you buy ten items, your dog becomes eligible for a free Doggie Day Camp session.
Pet Supplies Plus has a pet club where members earn several freebies for their pets. For instance, your pet gets a gift on their birthday, and members get special savings on purchases. All the coupons available here can be used by members only, and don't miss out on these discounts.
Petsworld has an excellent freebie for owners who have pets that are still potty training. To score this perk, you'll have to fill out a pet sample request form — after which you'll receive two samples of their puppy pads. They're great replacements for litter boxes and will help keep your place clean.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) makes sure pets are well cared for. You can score a free pet safety pack by simply filling out an online form.
The pack contains a pet rescue window and stickers that alert people that pets are in your home in an emergency. It also has an ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Magnet to help when your pet eats something they weren’t supposed to and needs some help.
Additional places you can get pet freebies include:
- CouponFollow helps you find discounts on pet supplies, which you can use to save up to 50% on pet purchases.
- Dogs of Instagram gives you free samples of various products once you add their page to your feed.
- Great Pet Care extends deals received from sponsors to their readers, so sign up to see what's available.
- Chewy offers a ‘buy two and get the third item free’ deal for mix-and-match pet accessories and toys.
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Conclusion
Freebies can help make life with your pets even more fun. And these aren’t just limited to pet stores — as eateries and travel destinations offer pet perks too.
Your pet deserves all the love, and some of these simple treats and perks will delight them without costing you a cent.
If you're looking to get more value for less and to save on purchases, check out CouponFollow for a collection of discount codes you can use on all types of purchases — not just those for your pets.