You might be a little disappointed to hear this, but because you’re wondering does EBT work for dog food? Unfortunately, NO. You cannot purchase dog food or any pet food with food stamps.
The reason is that food stamps or the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are meant to facilitate humans who have low incomes, with the purchase of nutritious food for their households. You can only purchase grocery items, or more specifically, the food items using food stamps.
Any non-food items are not eligible to be bought using your EBT card or food stamps at any store. That is why you cannot purchase pet food with EBT.
For the dog owners, their dogs are a part of the family and so, according to them, good nutritional health is equally important for their dogs as well. But the point is, there are so many pets kept at homes, and feeding them too would cost another huge amount to the government and organizations working for the cause.
So, the policy remains the same for all pets. You cannot buy pet food with food stamps!
This article further includes answers to all your queries related to the purchase of pet food using EBT at different stores, and in different states.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy Dog Food with EBT Card?
No. Dog food is considered a non-food item and the purchase of any non-food item is prohibited using your EBT card. However, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) allows you to purchase dog food.
So, if you’re approved for the TANF program through your EBT card, you might be able to buy dog food with your EBT card. However, there are certain conditions that must be met in order to qualify for TANF benefits.
Can You Buy Dog Food with Food Stamps at Walmart?
No. Dog food being a non-food item cannot be purchased with food stamps at Walmart.
In fact, all the stores that accept food stamps have the same policies for the type of items you can purchase. And hence, every grocery store that accepts EBT or food stamps, won’t allow buying dog food or any pet food with food stamps.
Can You Buy with EBT at Walmart?
Yes. Walmart accepts EBT at almost all of its locations. You can buy all the eligible items with your EBT card at any Walmart nearby you.
In fact, for online transactions as well, both the EBT food and EBT cash are accepted by Walmart in 44 states. The only states that don’t allow using EBT benefits at online Walmart stores are Hawaii, Louisiana, Alaska, and a few others.
What Can You Buy with EBT at Walmart?
All the food-related items are considered eligible for buying with EBT at Walmart. So, every food item that falls under the category of ‘eligible items can be bought using EBT at Walmart.
Here’s a shortlist of the type of items you can buy with EBT at Walmart.
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Cereals, grains, and snack foods
- Fish, meat, and poultry
- Dairy products such as milk, yogurt
- And all other grocery food items
Can You Buy Cat Food with Food Stamps?
No. Again, cat food is basically pet food and it’s a non-food item. So, you cannot buy cat food with food stamps.
Can You Buy Dog Food with Food Stamps in Pennsylvania?
No. You cannot buy dog food with food stamps in Pennsylvania.
Can You Buy Dog Food with Food Stamps in Louisiana?
No. You cannot buy dog food with food stamps in Louisiana.
Can You Buy Dog Food with Food Stamps in New York?
No. You cannot buy dog food with food stamps in New York.
Can You Buy Dog Food with Food Stamps in Texas?
No. You cannot buy dog food with food stamps in Texas.
Can You Buy Dog Food with Food Stamps in Ohio?
No. You cannot buy dog food with food stamps in Ohio.
What Human Food Can Dogs Eat?
Dogs are carnivorous which means meat is an essential component of their diet, but they are not only meat-eaters. Wild dogs can also survive on seasonal vegetables and fruits too.
The human food that is healthy for dogs, and they actually like eating it includes the following:
- Fish
- Eggs, yogurt, and cheese
- Pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lena beef
Surprising Things You Can Buy with Food Stamps
We all know you can buy all the grocery items and eligible food items with food stamps. But here are a few things that might surprise you. Because yes, you can buy them with food stamps.
- Birthday cakes
- Seafood (Lobster and Shellfish)
- Gift baskets
- Energy drinks
- Hunting and fishing equipment
- Plants and seeds to grow fruits and vegetables
Final Verdict
Although pet food can’t be bought using food stamps or EBT cards there are several petitions being signed and their purpose is to request the allowance of beneficiaries to buy pet food just like other food items.
Maybe in near future, food stamps would allow the purchase of pet food as well.
