Can You Buy Pet Food with EBT (Food Stamps)?
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The questions could go on, but the goal here is to get clear answers ASAP. “I thought pet food was included,” or “I meant to ask someone about it” – there are too many assumptions.
If your pet’s part of the family, let’s dig in and find out for sure: Can you buy pet food with EBT?
1. Can You Buy Pet Food with EBT (food stamps)?
Unfortunately, you cannot buy pet food with SNAP EBT. Though pets are part of your family, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is developed strictly for human food consumption.
USDA defines what counts as an “eligible food item.” Pet food is considered a “non-food item”, along with things like cleaning supplies, paper products, and vitamins.
Then, if you’re shopping at a regular grocery store, EBT will not work for anything in the pet food aisle (and not even pet toys).
Find out for sure what you can buy with SNAP EBT cards:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food
>>> Read more: Surprising Things You Can Buy With an EBT Card
And what you can not buy:
- Pet food (dog food, cat food, bird seed, treats, or any other animal-related items)
- Household supplies (cleaners, toilet paper, etc.)
- Toiletries or hygiene items
- Hot foods (unless your state participates in the Restaurant Meals Program)
- Alcohol and tobacco
2. What to Do If You Can’t Buy Pet Food with SNAP
Just because your pet’s part of the family doesn’t mean your SNAP benefits automatically cover their needs. But no worries, there are still practical ways to get your pet assistance.
2.1. Homemade Pet Food
You can use your EBT card to buy ground meat, vegetables, fruits, and rice, and some of these items can be used to prepare homemade dog meals.
These ingredients are all SNAP-eligible, and you can create a nutritious home-cooked meal for your pet. (homemade food, though, may sometimes cost more than dry kibble, depending on your ingredients)
In fact, some have fed their dogs home-cooked food, adding it to kibble or using it exclusively.
Just be mindful of safety, proper nutrition, and storage. Pets have very different nutritional needs from humans and should not be fed an imbalanced diet long-term, which can cause health issues.
It’s so important, dogs can suffer from food allergies, too. The five most common ingredients that trigger allergies in dogs are beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, and eggs.
If you’re unsure about an ingredient, double-check with a vet or trustworthy resource like the American Kennel Club before feeding it to your pet.
2.2. EBT Cash (TANF)
Cash EBT is often issued through a program called TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
TANF is a government assistance program that helps low-income families with children. It provides monthly cash benefits that are loaded onto your EBT card.
Eligible residents can use the funds almost anywhere a regular debit card is accepted or withdraw them as cash from an ATM.
TANF funds can be used for nearly any essential living expense. You can use your benefits to purchase pet food, cleaning supplies, personal care items, transportation, and more.
To qualify for TANF cash assistance, you must be pregnant or have at least one child under 18 in the home. TANF cash assistance is available to families with little or no income and limited ways to support themselves.
2.3. Pet Food Pantries & Shelters
These should be part of your ongoing resource list.
Pet Help Finder:
If you can’t afford pet food, vet care, or other pet-related essentials, Pet Help Finder can help to connect pet families with affordable help in their area.
This free locator brings together a wide range of resources (nonprofit organizations, pet food banks, temporary housing, etc.). Search by your location, and you will see many of the services listed are completely free or available at a deep discount.
Feeding Pets of the Homeless:
Feeding Pets of the Homeless operates hundreds of pet food donation sites across the U.S. These are often located at local food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.
These partner organizations distribute pet food and supplies directly to people experiencing homelessness or economic hardship.
Meals on Wheels:
It is true for housebound seniors: pets provide love, meaning, and companionship. Yet, keeping a pet cannot be easy for elderly persons on a limited income.
Meals on Wheels America and PetSmart Charities have partnered to deliver pet meals across the nation. Also, they assist with homebound seniors’ pets.
Local Animal Shelters & Rescues:
Many of them host pet food giveaways. Keep yourself in the loop by checking their websites or calling ahead.
2.4. Veterinary Clinics & Nonprofit Support
Start with your local vet clinic. It might not seem like the most obvious place for pet food assistance, but many veterinary offices, in fact, either offer assistance themselves or know where to send you.
Vet offices may not have shelves of freebies, but they often have very accurate referrals to pet food banks or community programs.
2.5. Community-Based Resources
Churches, mosques, and synagogues may organize pet food drives. Moreover, some local food pantries are expanding their support to include dog and cat food alongside regular groceries. Find them in your area.
2.6. Online, Social, and Direct-to-Consumer Options
There’s nothing wrong with accepting help or asking for it, especially when community-driven options are right at your fingertips.
Buy Nothing or some Facebook groups are perfect examples. Through their free app, website, and online forums, the Buy Nothing Project connects people who are giving away unused items, including pet food.
In addition, breed-specific groups (through AKC or Facebook) often know what you need and may help with food or supplies tailored to your pet’s breed.
Likewise, some neighborhood pet stores might offer discounts or informal barter options.
For more help, RedRover Relief, The Pet Fund, Animal Humane Society, Petco Love, Best Friends Animal Society, and many others offer various forms of pet assistance, such as emergency assistance and veterinary care.
3. Related Benefits You Can Get If You Have EBT (food stamps)
Can’t say enough how valuable it is to take advantage of every support program you qualify for. Because being enrolled in SNAP could automatically open the door to other assistance, like Lifeline.
That one connection might lower your phone or internet bill by $9.25 a month or even $34.25 if you’re on Tribal lands. Some providers even offer free smartphones or tablets, unlimited texting, and free talk time.
How to apply for Lifeline with SNAP benefits:
- Visit one of the provider’s websites that offers free service and a free device (AirTalk Wireless) and enter your ZIP code.
- Browse available plans in your state.
- Select a free or upgrade device.
- Submit your application. If your eligibility can be verified automatically, you won’t need to upload anything. Otherwise, you may be asked to upload proof of SNAP participation.
In addition to Lifeline, your EBT card may also give you access to free museum and zoo admission, public transit discounts, and more discounts.
Conclusion
Quit reading this article right now and start checking. You’ve got a job to do – Look up your local rules, explore pantry programs, and ask about pet-specific support in your area. Get moving now and make sure every member of your household, paws included, gets support.
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