Couponsforless
HomeGuides & BlogThe best ways to save at Chewy
Store Guide

The best ways to save at Chewy

Chewy's Autoship discount, first-order code, and price matching make recurring pet costs noticeably cheaper.

By the Couponsforless Savings TeamWritten in-house and re-checked when a store changes its policy
Updated August 18, 2026
3 min read · Fact-checked
What this guide covers
  • Autoship adds a standing discount plus free shipping on the pet supplies you rebuy.
  • A first-order welcome code stacks with Autoship on your initial box.
  • Chewy price matches many competitors on identical items through customer service.
  • Its service team is unusually flexible on returns, replacements, and goodwill.
  • Buying the right pack size and comparing unit prices avoids overpaying in bulk.
Length
5 sections
Last checked
August 18, 2026
Topic
Store Guide

Set up Autoship

Autoship is Chewy's core saving: a recurring discount plus free shipping on the food, litter, treats, and medications you rebuy anyway. The first Autoship order often carries an extra-large discount, and ongoing deliveries keep a standing percentage off.

You can change the frequency, skip a shipment, or cancel anytime at no cost, so you never over- or under-order. Set it for the items you're certain to keep buying — our pet savings guide covers what's worth subscribing.

Use the welcome code

New customers get a first-order discount that stacks with the initial Autoship savings, so your first box can carry two layers of discount at once. Combine them rather than using the code on a one-time order.

Start your first Autoship with your largest recurring items — a big bag of food, a case of litter — to maximize what the welcome code applies to on that initial delivery.

Ask for a price match

Chewy will match many competitors' prices on identical items through customer service. If you find the same product cheaper elsewhere — including Amazon or a big-box pet store — a quick chat with a screenshot often gets it honored.

It's a low-effort way to keep Chewy's convenience without paying a premium for it, especially on high-volume staples where a small per-unit difference adds up over a year of Autoship deliveries.

Lean on the service team

Chewy's customer service is a genuine saving in itself. It's known for hassle-free returns, sending a replacement without requiring the original back on damaged or wrong items, and even refunding or advising when a pet can't use a product.

That flexibility lowers the risk of trying a new food or product — if your pet won't touch it, a quick message usually resolves it in your favor, so you're not stuck eating the cost of a bad guess.

Buy the right size

Bulk only saves if your pet gets through it before it goes stale and the per-unit price actually beats a smaller pack on sale. For dry food especially, freshness matters, so match the bag size to how fast you'll use it.

Compare the price per pound or per count across sizes rather than assuming the biggest bag wins, and factor Autoship's discount into that math — the mid-size on Autoship often beats the jumbo at full price.

Frequently asked questions

How do I save the most at Chewy?
Set up Autoship for a standing discount and free shipping, stack the first-order welcome code on your initial box, ask customer service to price match, and compare unit prices across pack sizes.
How much does Chewy Autoship save?
It adds a recurring percentage discount plus free shipping on items you rebuy, with an extra-large discount on the first Autoship order, and it stacks with the welcome code initially.
Does Chewy price match?
Chewy will match many competitors on identical items through customer service — start a chat with a screenshot of the lower price to request it.
Is Chewy's return policy good?
Yes, unusually so. Chewy is known for hassle-free returns and often sends a replacement or refund on damaged or unsuitable items without requiring the original back.
Can I cancel Chewy Autoship anytime?
Yes. You can change the frequency, skip a shipment, or cancel entirely at no cost, so there's no penalty for using Autoship purely to capture the discount.

Keep reading & keep saving