Before we dive in – the short answer is no, Amazon does not sell traditional pets like dogs, cats, rabbits, or reptiles. The only live animals you can currently purchase on Amazon are fish, aquatic snails, and shrimp intended for home aquariums. But Amazon does carry an enormous assortment of pet supplies for all animals.
Now let‘s look at everything you need to know about buying pets and pet products on Amazon in 2024.
Overview: Pets You Can and Can‘t Buy on Amazon
It‘s easy to assume that a vast online marketplace like Amazon would offer many types of live pets for sale. But in reality, Amazon tightly restricts which animals can be sold by third-party sellers on its platform.
Here are the basic guidelines as of 2024:
Allowed
- Freshwater tropical fish
- Saltwater fish
- Aquatic snails like nerite, mystery, etc.
- Shrimp such as cherry, ghost, amano
Prohibited
- Dogs
- Cats
- Rabbits
- Rodents
- Birds
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- All mammals
Other restrictions
- No endangered species
- No venomous/poisonous animals
- Must adhere to Amazon‘s animal welfare policies
So if you‘re hoping to conveniently order a new puppy, kitten, or other traditional pet on Amazon – you‘re out of luck. Pets are limited to aquatic species only.
Next let‘s look at the pros and cons of buying fish online, and where you can adopt other types of pets.
The Pros and Cons of Purchasing Fish on Amazon
For fishkeeping hobbyists, Amazon provides an affordable, convenient way to order live aquarium fish and inverts delivered directly to your door. Some benefits of buying fish online through Amazon include:
Pros
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Huge selection of freshwater and saltwater fish species
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Inverts like snails and shrimp often cheaper than local stores
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Can easily buy multiples of schooling fish like tetras or rasboras
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Healthy, high-quality fish when ordering from reputable sellers
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Overnight shipping minimizes transit stress and mortality
Cons
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Can‘t personally pick exact fish (color, size, etc)
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Potential for DOAs (dead on arrival) with improper shipping
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Difficult to return/exchange if issues arise
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Disease transmission risks if fish commingle at exporters
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Supporting local fish stores is better for the hobby
So while buying aquarium fish on Amazon can work well, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Do your homework on sellers, reviews, and policies to ensure the best experience.
Where To Adopt Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets Online
Since Amazon doesn‘t sell traditional pets, where should you go instead to find your perfect furry, scaly, or feathered friend? Here are some great resources beyond Amazon to adopt pets:
Adoptable Dogs
- Local animal shelters and rescue organizations
- Petfinder.com lists adoptable dogs at shelters and rescues
- Responsible breeders like AKC marketplace breeders
- Apps like GetYourPet make it easy to apply to adopt dogs
Adoptable Cats
- Local cat-specific rescues like Save-A-Kitty
- Petco and PetSmart often have cats for adoption
- Working Cat programs to adopt feral or barn cats
- Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs need cat adopters
Other Pets
- Rabbit rescues or House Rabbit Society chapters
- Local bird shelters or parrot rescues
- Reptile classifieds like MorphMarket for reptiles/amphibians
- Guinea pig, ferret, rat, and mouse rescues nationwide
Doing your research is key to ensure any pet you adopt or purchase online comes from an ethical, responsible source. But many wonderful pets need loving homes, so be sure to check out these resources!
How Amazon Ships Live Fish Safely
Ordering live animals like fish online raises an obvious concern – how can the retailer ensure they arrive alive and healthy?
For its live fish orders, Amazon has implemented careful shipping standards:
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Overnight shipping required – Most fish and inverts must ship overnight to reduce transit time. This costs more but minimizes stress.
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Insulated boxes & gel packs – Sellers package fish in insulated boxes with gel packs to maintain ideal 72-78F transit temperatures.
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Guaranteed live arrival – Reputable sellers will guarantee your order arrives alive and offer refunds or replacements for any DOAs.
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Special handling – Live animal shipments are prioritized for faster processing and transit.
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Must be present to accept delivery – You or someone else has to be available upon delivery to immediately open the insulated box and acclimate the fish.
As long as these precautions are taken, live fish orders through Amazon can arrive happy, healthy, and ready for their new aquarium habitat. Pay close attention to specific handling and shipping requirements before placing your order.
Additional Restrictions On Animal Products Sold on Amazon
Beyond live creatures, Amazon enforces strict policies around prohibited animal products. Some key restrictions include:
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Ivory products – All elephant ivory merchandise is banned, including antiques.
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Endangered species – Products from endangered/threatened species cannot be sold.
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Dog/cat fur – Amazon prohibits any merchandise containing domestic dog or cat fur.
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Wildlife products – Game trophies, pelts, or any product requiring a permit cannot be sold without proper licensing.
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Inhumane treatment – No animal products resulting from perceived inhumane practices are allowed.
There are a few exceptions, such as certain vintage items containing ivory components. But Amazon aims to discourage trade in products that may support poaching, illegal wildlife trafficking, or animal cruelty.
When buying any goods containing animal materials, be sure to carefully vet the seller and product origins.
Vetting Sellers: How To Source Pets Ethically Online
Speaking of vetting – ordering live animals or pets online requires extra due diligence. Here are some tips for ethically sourcing pets on the internet:
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Research breeders – Check reviews, complaints, licensing, and facilities. Don‘t fall for scam websites.
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Ask detailed questions – A quality breeder will gladly answer questions and explain processes openly.
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See parents & conditions – Ask to see photos/videos of the parents and breeding conditions.
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Look for certifications – Humane breeding certifications indicate higher welfare standards.
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Arrange veterinary checks – Have your vet examine new pets within days of arrival.
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Report concerns – If you encounter less-than-ethical sources, report them to help protect animals.
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Adopt when possible – Opt to adopt before shopping breeders or pet stores.
Taking these steps will help ensure you obtain any pet ethically through a responsible online source.
Pet Supplies You Can Buy on Amazon
Okay, enough about pets – what about pet supplies? Anything you need for your furry, scaly, or feathery pals, you‘ll find on Amazon. Here‘s an overview of the major categories:
| Product | Examples |
|---|---|
| Food | Dry kibble, canned/pouch foods, raw, frozen, freeze-dried, prescription diets, supplements |
| Healthcare | Medications, flea & tick control, joint supplements, probiotics |
| Housing | Crates, cages, tanks, coops, litter boxes, beds |
| Furniture | Cat trees, perches, hammocks, shelves, dog houses |
| Toys | Balls, chew toys, treat dispensing toys, catnip, interactives |
| Tech | Pet cameras, GPS trackers, water fountains, automated feeders |
| Grooming | Shampoos, brushes, nail clippers, toothbrushes, combs |
| Apparel | Collars, leashes, harnesses, sweaters, boots, life jackets |
| Travel | Carriers, car harnesses, seat covers, portable habitats |
| Cleaning | Poop bags, stain removers, vacuums, odor neutralizers |
And those are just the basics! You‘ll also find pet memorials, urns, backyard habitat supplies, and specialty items for pets with disabilities.
Compared to big box pet retailers, Amazon often offers the best prices and fastest shipping on many top brands. Prime members can get staples like food and litter delivered conveniently on a schedule.
For any pet owner, Amazon can be a real time and money saver. But how exactly do the prices compare?
Pet Food Price Comparison
Here‘s a look at current prices for a popular dog kibble brand on Amazon vs. major pet retailers:
| Amazon | Chewy | Petco | PetSmart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Buffalo 30 lb bag | $51.48 | $56.99 | $64.99 | $64.99 |
*Prices as of 2/21/23
For a 30 lb bag, Amazon comes in at $5-13 cheaper than competitors – that adds up over time! Cat owners can find similar savings, with a 15 lb jug of Tidy Cats litter costing $16.48 on Amazon and $18.99 at Petco/PetSmart.
Pet Medication Price Comparison
Medications and supplements are another area where Amazon shines:
| Amazon | Chewy | Petco | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 mo. supply of Heartgard Plus (for dogs 51-100 lbs) | $42.95 | $45.95 | $49.99 |
| 3 pack of Frontline Gold for Cats | $52.46 | $59.95 | $59.99 |
Across popular meds and flea/tick preventatives, Amazon consistently offers the best deals. Saving 10-15% on pet meds adds up fast for multi-pet households!
So while Amazon may fall short when it comes to buying actual pets, it‘s a leader in price and selection for pet supplies. For anything you need to care for your animals, it‘s tough to beat the Amazon marketplace.
Final Thoughts
If you made it this far, hopefully you now have a thorough understanding of Amazon‘s current policies on live pets and animal products. To quickly recap the key points:
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The only pets you can buy on Amazon are select aquatic species like fish, snails, and shrimp. No traditional pets are allowed.
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Take precautions when buying fish online – research sellers and follow proper acclimation.
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For other pets, use adoption/rehoming resources and vet breeders thoroughly first.
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Amazon allows some animal-derived products but prohibits anything unethical or illegal.
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Pet supplies on Amazon are high-quality, well-priced, and ultra-convenient for multi-pet households.
So while Amazon won‘t directly fulfill your pet adoption dreams, they make caring for your furry family easy once you find them. Hopefully this guide gave you some helpful insights on shopping for pets both on and off Amazon. Let me know if you have any other pet buying questions!
