Petstores ~Vs~ Online ?

[TwoOfaKind]

Hello fellow cavy slaves

So, I have been doing a great deal of research and alot of changing up in our lives - for the piggies & Myself, which will hopefully help them and help my own pocket

I am considering changing how I get their supplies (I usually buy all of their hay, food, toys, chewblocks, etc. at the petstore) I also am in the process of switching from Softsorbent Bedding to Fleece.

So my question to you all is this: Where do you get your piggy supplies? If you get them online, do you find it easier or harder - and why? Do you find the quality of product is better for the money (especially regarding hay, I have horrible luck with Timothy hay in the petstores), & which do you find more cost effective?

Thanks, I'm trying to find what works best on a whole, being a new cavy slave it is alot of trial and error

Have a good Monday!

[envisionary333]

I find ordering online to be much better than shopping from a pet store for the following reasons...

1. I choose not to support pet stores because they continue to purchase and sell animals from breeding mills where they are severely mistreated. Also, pets stores give incorrect care advice and sell harmful products.
2. Most of the products available in pet stores can be found online at a cheaper price.
3. Many products sold online are higher quality than those in pet stores, if you know where to look.
4. Ordering online is convenient, and can be done at any time day or night.
5. There is a much wider range of products available online than at a pet store.

Personally, I order my food and hay from Oxbow in very large quantities. The quality is fantastic, and ordering in bulk allows me to save a considerable amount of money. The shipping is admittedly expensive, but you will still end up saving money compared to most pet stores that sell small quantities of low quality, expensive food and hay. As for other supplies, I order most frequently from Amazon and Pet Food Direct. The prices are much better than in most pet stores, and they have many more products as well.

I hope that info helps a little!

[TwoOfaKind]

Thanks for the response! I think I am going to switch to online ordering, thanks. I will look at the places you mentioned (Amazon, Pet Food Direct). I have done some ordering before from Oxbow for my Bunny

Thanks again !

[Texas Rustlers]

Where abouts in Texas are you?

We sell supplies American Pet Diner and Oxbow Food and Treats, Bedding, Coroplast and Cage Accessories and we are cheaper than the Pet Stores!!

We are located in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and are 'open' on Saturdays from 9.00am until 5.00pm

And of course, we don't sell animals

[PiggieMamaKelly]

My most cost-effective means of getting food and hay is a small petstore that does not carry animals. You may only notice the big Petco's and Petsmarts when you are out and about, but if you check around you may find a little mom and pop type store within a reasonable distance. I didn't know this one existed until I put my zipcode into Oxbow's store locater.

[Sandy_Acres]

I buy my hay from the farmer that grows it. I am very picky about the hay I buy from my horses and feel that the variety I get is also good for my piggies. I feed Prairie hay as well as Coastal (both grass hays). It's fresh, never been wrapped in plastic and stored somehwere forever.