If you‘re a pet parent, you‘ve probably heard of Chewy – the popular online retailer known for their wide selection of pet food, toys, supplies and more. Chewy has established themselves as a go-to destination for pet owners not only because of their convenient online shopping experience, but also for their superior customer service and satisfaction.
But one question many budget-conscious shoppers have is: does Chewy actually send free stuff?
The answer is yes – but not necessarily in the way you might expect. While Chewy doesn‘t send out tons of free full-size products at random, there are many strategic ways you can score some complimentary pet goodies and maximize your savings when shopping on their site. If you know where to look and how to leverage the available offers, you can definitely get your paws on some free or seriously discounted items.
As a picky shopper myself and an expert in the retail space, I‘ve analyzed all the ways you can potentially get "free stuff" and more from Chewy.com. Let‘s dive in!
Chewy‘s Growth & Customer Base
First, it‘s important to understand the scale of Chewy‘s operations. According to recent data, Chewy‘s net sales have grown rapidly over the past few years, reaching $7.15 billion in 2020 – a 47% year-over-year increase [^1^]. Chewy‘s customer base has also expanded significantly, now topping 19.2 million active customers [^2^].
These figures matter because they demonstrate Chewy‘s buying power and ability to offer competitive deals and discounts. As a large, fast-growing retailer, Chewy can negotiate favorable terms with suppliers and secure exclusive promotions for their customer base. This ultimately benefits the end shopper.
New Customer Offers & Welcome Gifts
One of the best times to snag free extras from Chewy is when you‘re a new customer. Upon creating an account, you‘ll likely receive a welcome offer, such as a 30% off coupon for your first purchase or a $15 gift card with a minimum spend. These offers vary and may be even more generous during peak shopping periods.
In addition to a discount code, Chewy has been known to include a free welcome gift with an initial purchase, such as a bandana, toy, or treats. While not guaranteed, it‘s a pleasant surprise that many first-time Chewy shoppers have experienced.
Compared to other major pet retailers, like PetSmart or Petco, Chewy‘s sign-up offers tend to be more valuable and flexible. Rather than a one-time discount on a single item or brand, Chewy‘s welcome promotions usually apply to your entire order – making it easy to save on a wide range of products.
AutoShip Discounts & Perks
Another way to consistently save with Chewy is by signing up for AutoShip – their subscription service for regularly scheduled deliveries of pet food and supplies. With AutoShip, you can unlock 5-10% off select brands, plus get free shipping on every AutoShip order over $49.
Chewy‘s AutoShip discounts are some of the most competitive in the pet retail space. While Amazon does offer a similar Subscribe & Save program with 5-10% off, Chewy‘s AutoShip provides a wider selection of eligible brands and products. Plus, Chewy routinely runs promotions for bonus savings on your first AutoShip order, such as 30-50% off or a free gift worth $20 or more.
According to a 2021 survey by Profitero, 49% of pet owners said they were interested in subscribing to a service that automatically delivers pet food and supplies on a recurring basis [^3^]. Chewy‘s AutoShip program caters directly to this growing demand for convenience and built-in savings.
Sales, BOGOs & Sitewide Offers
Beyond welcome offers and subscriptions, Chewy runs frequent sitewide sales, brand-specific promotions, and buy one get one (BOGO) deals that let you score some freebie items.
For example, Chewy consistently offers a "Spend $49+, Get $30 Off" deal – one of the most generous threshold-based discounts among pet retailers. They also have a rotating selection of "buy X, get Y free" mix-and-match offers on treats, toys, and other accessories.
Savvy shoppers can stack these promos with category-wide or brand-specific sales (like 20-30% off all dog toys or a certain food brand) to maximize savings and get high-ticket items for cheap or free. Checking Chewy‘s "Today‘s Deals" section and signing up for email newsletters are great ways to stay in the loop on limited-time offers.
Free Shipping & Easy Returns
One perk that sets Chewy apart is their low threshold for free shipping. Shoppers get free 1-3 day shipping on all orders over $49 – a significantly lower minimum compared to many other online retailers. Chewy also offers a "free shipping on $49+" promotion quite frequently, waiving delivery fees for a limited time.
While not technically "free stuff," Chewy‘s shipping policy allows customers to save on both time and delivery costs – a key consideration for busy pet parents. Orders are also packed with care and arrive quickly, with many shoppers praising Chewy‘s efficient fulfillment centers.
Additionally, Chewy has an incredibly generous 365-day return policy on most items, so if you‘re not fully satisfied with a product, you can get a refund or replacement without any return shipping fees [^4^]. This gives customers extra peace of mind and flexibility to try new products risk-free.
Surprise Samples & Gifts
Along with promotions and discounts, Chewy is known for occasionally surprising customers with free samples, toys, or other small gifts just because. It‘s not unusual for shoppers to find some bonus goodies in their Chewy box, like sample treats, a cute bandana, or seasonal toy.
These freebies are a delightful extra that you don‘t often see from other large retailers. It‘s a smart tactic for encouraging customers to try new products or brands while generating some positive buzz and loyalty.
Chewy also has a history of going above and beyond for customers in small, personalized ways. Shoppers have received handwritten notes, artwork, holiday cards, and more from the Chewy team – little gestures that make a big impact [^5^].
While you shouldn‘t necessarily expect free samples with every order, Chewy does sprinkle in surprises more frequently than many other pet retailers as part of their commitment to creating an exceptional customer experience.
Referral Programs & Rewards
In addition to traditional promotions, Chewy offers some unique programs that let you earn discounts or freebies by shopping and engaging with the brand.
Chewy Rewards, their loyalty program, allows members to accrue points for completing certain actions, like making purchases, leaving reviews, or downloading the Chewy app. Points can then be redeemed for discount codes or bonus gifts.
Loyalty programs like this encourage repeat business and reward shoppers for their continued patronage. Compared to the rewards schemes of other pet retailers, Chewy Rewards offers an array of ways to earn points (beyond just purchases) and provides a range of enticing redemption options.
Chewy also has a referral program where customers can share a unique link with friends and family. If someone makes a purchase through your referral link, you‘ll get a $25 discount code to use on a future Chewy purchase [^6^]. It‘s an easy way to spread the word about Chewy while snagging some bonus savings for yourself.
Exceptional Customer Service
Chewy‘s most standout feature is arguably their unparalleled customer service. The company has become famous for going the extra mile to support pet parents, even in small, meaningful ways.
There are countless examples of Chewy‘s outstanding service, including:
- Sending flowers, cards, and care packages to customers grieving the loss of a pet [^7^]
- Surprising loyal customers with a free hand-painted pet portrait
- Offering full refunds (no return required) for products that didn‘t meet expectations
- Expediting shipping on time-sensitive items like medication
- Providing personalized product recommendations based on a pet‘s needs
Chewy empowers their service representatives to be compassionate, flexible, and generous in order to prioritize the customer‘s experience. This "wow" factor is what inspires so many glowing reviews, social media posts, and word-of-mouth recommendations for the brand.
In fact, a 2020 survey by Newsweek named Chewy "America‘s Best Customer Service" in the online pet supplies category [^8^]. Chewy ranked first for factors like accessibility, quality of communication, and customer focus.
For many shoppers, Chewy‘s exceptional service is just as much of a draw as their wide selection and competitive prices. The potential for surprise freebies and gestures is the icing on the cake.
Exclusive App Offers & Features
For tech-savvy shoppers, Chewy‘s mobile app provides even more ways to save and get free stuff. Available on iOS and Android devices, the app includes exclusive deals, easy reordering, and order tracking.
App users can get notified about limited-time offers, add discount codes with one tap, and earn bonus Chewy Rewards points. The app also includes a "Faves" feature for quickly reordering staples, plus the ability to set up AutoShip subscriptions on the go.
Chewy‘s app offers a more seamless, personalized experience compared to many other pet retailer apps. With a 4.9-star average rating across 670K+ reviews, it‘s clear that customers find significant value and convenience in the app‘s features and interface [^9^].
Commitment to Pet Welfare
Finally, it‘s worth highlighting Chewy‘s social responsibility initiatives and charitable giving. As a company, Chewy partners with thousands of animal shelters, rescue centers and non-profit organizations to support pets in need.
Some examples of Chewy‘s philanthropy:
- Donating over $76 million in pet food, supplies and products to animal welfare organizations [^10^]
- Covering adoption fees during special events to encourage pet adoption
- Providing ongoing food, treat and supply donations to shelters
- Hosting fundraisers and donation drives for animal rescue groups
- Supporting disaster relief efforts with pet supply donations
While these programs don‘t necessarily equal "free stuff" for individual customers, supporting Chewy means supporting a mission-driven company that gives back to pets and communities in need. Many customers feel good about directing their dollars to a retailer that champions animal welfare.
The Bottom Line
In summary, Chewy may not send out free products 24/7, but they do provide ample opportunities to get serious discounts, bonus items, and even surprise freebies. By leveraging welcome offers, AutoShip deals, BOGO promos, app-exclusive deals, and more, strategic shoppers can save big while keeping their pets happy and healthy.
Of course, Chewy‘s free stuff and perks are only part of the equation. Equally important is their unmatched customer service, easy shopping experience, and commitment to giving back. For many pet parents, those factors – combined with the potential for bonus gifts – make Chewy the go-to choice over other online retailers.
Ultimately, whether you‘re hunting for freebies or just looking for the best overall value, Chewy delivers. With a little savvy shopping (and maybe some luck), you can definitely score some free goodies while experiencing Chewy‘s top-notch service and selection.
The key is to stay engaged, keep an eye out for special promotions, and be a loyal customer. By shopping strategically and taking advantage of Chewy‘s many perks, you‘ll be well on your way to getting the most bang for your buck – and maybe even a few fun freebies along the way.
