Is a Chewy+ Membership Worth It?

Advertiser Disclosure: At Slickdeals, we work hard to find the best deals. Some products in our articles are from partners who may provide us with compensation, but this doesn’t change our opinions. Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.

Pet ownership is expensive and every pet parent knows it. We’re talking premium kibble that costs more than some people’s groceries, toys that somehow disappear into the void after two days and don’t even get us started on emergency vet visits. So when Chewy comes along asking you to pay for the privilege of shopping with them, it’s natural to be skeptical.

We’ve used Chewy+ for months, and the results have genuinely surprised us. This isn’t your typical “pay more to save more” gimmick that leaves you wondering where your money went, but it’s also not the miracle money-saver some people make it out to be.

Here’s our honest assessment of whether this membership actually delivers, who should sign up and who should probably keep their money in their pocket.

What Exactly Is the Chewy+ Membership?

Think Amazon Prime, but specifically designed for pet parents. Chewy launched Chewy+ because it recognized something pretty obvious. Pet parents are always shopping for supplies. We’re not buying furniture once every five years. We’re ordering food, treats, medications and replacement toys on what feels like a weekly basis.

Chewy+ functions as Chewy’s answer to customer loyalty programs, though it works differently than a traditional points system. Instead of earning points purchase by purchase, you pay an upfront fee to access ongoing benefits: free shipping on every order, 5% back in rewards on eligible purchases and priority customer service when something goes wrong.

When we first heard about it, our reaction was skeptical. Another subscription competing for our dollars. But after actually using it, the convenience factor is genuinely useful. No more adding random items to your cart just to hit a free-shipping threshold, and no more paying $5 to ship an $8 bag of treats because your dog ran out and you forgot to plan ahead.

The Real Cost Breakdown

Chewy+ currently costs $79 per year. That’s a real jump from where the program started. It launched at $49 a year, and Chewy raised the price as the program grew. Chewy typically offers a 30-day free trial for new members, so it’s worth testing before you commit to the annual fee.

Chewy accepts pretty much all major payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal and gift cards. The membership auto-renews, and Chewy is generally good about sending a reminder before charging you again.

Cancellation terms are stricter than some subscriptions. If you cancel within three business days of signing up or of converting from a free trial, you’ll get a full refund. Cancel later, and you’re only eligible for a refund if you haven’t made any purchases or used any benefits since your last charge. Don’t expect a prorated refund partway through the year once you’ve actually used it.

At $79 annually, that works out to about $6.58 a month. Keep that number in mind as we look at whether you’ll actually save more than that.

What You Actually Get for Your Money

Free Shipping on Every Single Order

This is the biggest benefit for most members. Regular Chewy customers need to spend $49 to qualify for free shipping, but members get it on a single $3 toy if that’s all they need.

We tested this extensively, ordering everything from individual treats to emergency medication refills. Every order, regardless of size, shipped free. For anyone who tends to order things as they think of them rather than planning everything out, this eliminates a real pain point.

If you place even one small order monthly that would normally cost $4.95 to ship, you’re already most of the way to breaking even on the membership fee relative to shipping costs alone. At $79 per year, you’ll want a bit more than that to fully justify the cost. See the real-world scenarios below.

5% Back in Rewards

Members currently earn 5% back in rewards on eligible purchases, which functions similarly to cash back, accumulating credit you can put toward future orders. Note that if your annual Chewy spend exceeds $3,000, purchases beyond that threshold stop earning rewards, per Chewy’s current terms. Worth knowing if you’re a very high-volume shopper.

Chewy also runs member-exclusive pricing on select products and brands, though this varies by item and isn’t universal the way the rewards and free shipping are.

Priority Customer Service

Chewy’s customer service is already good, but members get moved to the front of the line. In practice, this means significantly shorter wait times when you call or use the chat feature.

We’ve used this benefit several times for order issues and prescription questions, and the difference is noticeable. Instead of waiting 15 to 20 minutes, we typically get connected within five. This probably isn’t worth $79 by itself, but when you need help with a time-sensitive order or prescription refill, it’s genuinely valuable.

Additional Member Perks

Members get early access to sales, occasional exclusive deals and small touches like birthday treats for your pets. Chewy remembers your pet’s birthday and sends a special offer. There are also occasional member-only events and expert Q&A sessions, though interest in those tends to vary quite a bit from customer to customer.

How Does It Compare to Other Programs?

Amazon Prime costs $139 annually and covers far more than pet supplies, but it doesn’t offer pet-specific benefits or specialized customer service for pet issues. If you’re already a Prime member for other reasons, the pet benefits are a bonus. If you’re only shopping for pet supplies, Chewy+ is more focused and considerably cheaper.

Petco’s Vital Care costs around $20 yearly but leans heavily on in-store services like grooming and vet care. The retail benefits are minimal compared to Chewy+, and it’s really built for people who use Petco’s physical locations regularly.

PetSmart’s Treats program is free but runs on a modest points system. You’re not getting the same level of convenience or consistent savings as a paid membership.

Chewy’s approach of paying upfront for ongoing benefits rather than earning points slowly works better if you’re already shopping regularly and want predictable perks. Traditional free points programs work better for occasional shoppers who don’t mind waiting to accumulate rewards.

Who Should Consider Signing Up (and Who Shouldn’t)

The ideal candidates:

• You’re spending $100 or more monthly at Chewy.
• You have a multi-pet household.
• Your pet is on a special diet or medication requiring regular, smaller orders.
• You value convenience over bargain hunting.

Who should skip it:

• Light spenders who order infrequently.
• Dedicated bargain hunters who shop around every purchase.
• Anyone on a tight budget who’d feel another recurring charge.
• Shoppers who prefer buying locally or rarely order pet supplies online.

Real-World Cost Analysis

We ran the math on a few realistic scenarios, updated for the current $79 price:

Typical single dog owner spending about $80 a month on food, treats and supplies: Without membership, you’re likely making two to three orders a month and occasionally paying shipping on smaller ones. With membership, the combination of free shipping and 5% rewards typically saves $10 to $15 monthly. Annual savings land somewhere around $120 to $180, enough to comfortably cover the $79 fee, though the margin is tighter than it was at the old $49 price.

Multi-pet household spending $200 or more a month across multiple animals: Rewards alone can add up to $10 to $12 monthly at the 5% rate, plus consistent shipping savings on frequent smaller orders. Annual savings in the $250 to $300 range are realistic for households in this category, meaning the membership pays for itself well before the year is up.

Light user, a single cat owner spending $35 a month mostly on food and litter: 5% rewards come out to under $2 monthly, and shipping usually isn’t a pain point since these orders are naturally batched. At this spending level, the $79 fee is a much harder sell.

Prescription food or medication scenario: These orders tend to be smaller quantities at premium prices, ordered monthly, which is exactly the pattern where free shipping shines. Customers in this category often save $100 or more annually on shipping costs alone, with rewards adding more on top.

Maximizing Your Membership Value

• Don’t fall into the trap of ordering more frequently just because shipping is free.
• Take advantage of ordering prescription items or special dietary products the moment you need them, rather than batching to save on shipping.
• Watch for member-exclusive pricing tags while shopping.
• Use Autoship for regular items, but don’t set it and forget it. Check periodically that you’re still getting the best price.
• Use priority customer service when you actually need it.

The Drawbacks Worth Considering

There’s a psychological element here. Once you’ve paid the membership fee, you might feel obligated to shop at Chewy even when better deals exist elsewhere. We’ve caught ourselves doing this occasionally.

The membership also nudges you toward being a one-retailer shopper. You might miss out on sales at other retailers, unique products from smaller companies or bulk deals at warehouse stores.

Rewards and member pricing, while genuinely useful, aren’t always the lowest price available. During major sales events like Black Friday or end-of-year clearances, we’ve found better deals elsewhere that beat what Chewy+ offers.

And like any subscription, there’s a risk of paying for something you forget you have. If your pet’s needs change, you move somewhere with great local options or your shopping habits shift, you could end up with a membership you’re not actively using. Given the stricter refund terms once you’ve used any benefit, that’s not a cheap mistake.

How to Sign Up and Cancel

Joining is straightforward. Log in to your existing Chewy account, find the membership option in account settings or at checkout and sign up. Benefits start working immediately. Look out for the free trial (typically 30 days) if you want to test things out before paying.

If you decide it’s not working out, cancellation is simple. Do it online through account settings or by calling customer service. Just remember the refund terms above. Canceling after you’ve used any benefit means you likely won’t get a prorated refund, so time your decision before your next renewal charge rather than partway through.

We’d recommend setting a calendar reminder about a month before your renewal date to actually evaluate whether you’re getting good value, rather than letting it auto-renew on autopilot.

Our Final Assessment

So, is a Chewy+ membership worth it? For regular Chewy customers already spending a decent amount monthly, the answer is probably still yes. But the math is tighter now than when the program cost $49.

If you’re spending $75 or more monthly on pet supplies and shopping primarily at Chewy, the combination of free shipping and 5% rewards will likely still cover the $79 fee, with the convenience and priority service as a bonus on top. It’s not going to revolutionize your pet care budget, but it can make regular shopping noticeably more convenient and a bit less expensive.

For light users, dedicated bargain hunters and anyone on a tight budget, it’s a harder sell at this price point than it used to be. If you’re on the fence and already shop at Chewy regularly, try the free trial and track your actual savings for a few months before committing to the annual fee. The math should make the decision for you.

Chewy+ Membership FAQs

Does Chewy have other rewards programs besides the membership?

Chewy+ is Chewy’s primary membership program. Chewy also offers Autoship discounts for recurring orders and runs regular sales and promotions, but outside of Chewy+, it doesn’t have a traditional points-based rewards system.

Can family members use my membership benefits?

The membership is tied to your specific account, but family members can place orders through your account to take advantage of the perks. There’s no option for separate sub-accounts or family sharing.

What happens to my membership if I move?

Your membership travels with you as long as you’re moving within Chewy’s delivery area. You’ll just need to update your shipping address in your account settings.

How does Autoship work with the membership?

Autoship discounts stack with your Chewy+ benefits, which can lead to substantial savings on regular orders. You can pause, modify or cancel Autoship subscriptions anytime without affecting your membership status.