Is Petstock Australia’s Answer to Chewy? Here’s What Happened When I Tested It for 6 Months

The Story

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How I Found It

During my relocation to Melbourne, I panicked when my anxious rescue terrier refused to eat local kibble brands. After wasting $87 on rejected bags from Petbarn, a dog park regular told me: “Mate, you need Petstock’s Taste Guarantee.”

Why I Bought

Three words: 100% refund promise on rejected food. As someone whose picky eater had cost me $400+ in wasted food annually, this was revolutionary. Their website surprised me with:

Kangaroo-based treats (novel protein for allergy-prone dogs)
Dental chews shaped like Aussie landmarks (Sydney Opera House, anyone?)
Subscription savings matching Chewy’s 30% auto-ship discount

First Impressions

Unboxing felt like Christmas Down Under:

Packaging: Double-walled boxes with quirky koala tape
Freebies: Sample pack included emu jerky & dental kelp sticks
Handwritten note: “Thanks for giving Bruce his lunch!” from team member Dave

Real-Life Usage

My “Aussie Food Tour” subscription:

Month 1: Kangaroo jerky (devoured)
Month 2: Crocodile dental sticks (side-eyed but accepted)
Month 3: Green-lipped mussel supplements (game-changer for joint health)

The Experience

Daily Wins

5:30 AM walks: Their LED collar with kangaroo leather trim survived 47 rainy mornings
3:00 PM Zoom calls: Wombat-shaped puzzle feeder kept my dog busy during meetings
9:00 PM meltdowns: Lavender-infused calming spray actually worked during fireworks

Oh No Moments

Shipping math: That “$9.95 flat rate” became $29.87 after DHL’s “rural Australia” surcharge
Time zones: Called support at 2 AM forgetting they’re 16 hours ahead
Size confusion: Ordered a “king size” bed that fit my cat, not Great Dane mix

Unexpected Perks

Secret clearance section: Got $120 worth of returned items (unopened) for $28
Rewards program: Earned a free bag of food after reviewing 3 products
Eco-options: Compostable poop bags cheaper than Amazon’s basics

Let’s Break It Down

Pros

Novel proteins: 37 unique meat options (emu, brushtail, etc.) for allergy testing
Return policy: Full refunds without return shipping - they donate rejected food
Gear durability: Harnesses outlasted 3 Ruffwear products
Rx access: Got vet-prescribed anxiety meds delivered in 2 days
Price parity: Despite import costs, same Orijen pricing as Petco
Easter eggs: Found limited-edition Tim Tam dog cookies (yes, that Tim Tam)

Cons

Shipping costs: $14.95 minimum to US West Coast, 10-14 day delivery
Currency confusion: Checkout defaults to AUD - nearly overpaid 30%
Size charts: Australian “large” = American “medium”

Workarounds That Saved Me

VPN trick: Set location to Australia for lower subscription pricing
Bundling hack: Combine with Aussie friends’ orders to hit free global shipping at $169
Size solution: Add 10cm to their measurements for US equivalents

Real Talk

Find Your Next Favorite on petstock.com.au

Perfect For…

Owners of pets with severe allergies (novel protein heaven)
Premium brand loyalists wanting Orijen/Acana at 20% off US prices
Adventurers needing rugged gear (their Outback line survived Outward Bound)

Money-Saving Tips

Stack discounts: Combine first-order 15% off + subscription 30% + rewards $10
Time orders: Ship during Aussie winter (June-August) when rates drop 18%
Go refill: Save 35% bringing old packaging to resuable stations (in-store only)

The Bottom Line

After 189 days, $647 spent, and one dog who now sits on command in Australian…

Worth It If:

You need prescription diets or novel proteins
Will spend $200+ annually to justify shipping
Want gear tested in harsh conditions (their stuff survives Tasmanian hikes)

Skip If:

You need next-day delivery
Have a pet who only eats Purina/Walmart brands
Hate currency conversion math

Limited Time Savings at petstock.com.au

Final Verdict: 4.2/5 - Loses points for shipping complexity but delivers where US retailers don’t. I’ll keep using them for specialty items, but stick to Chewy for basics.

Pro Tip: Order during Australia’s EOFY sales (June) - scored $400 worth of gear for $171 including shipping!