Our old beagle Maisie passed two winters ago, and the house felt awfully quiet. Then, around Easter, my daughter Karen called to say the shelter outside Grand Rapids had a five-year-old shepherd mix nobody was claiming. Tom and I drove out the same afternoon. That dog, Ranger, is snoring at my feet while I type this. So when folks ask me whether a pet is worth the money, the time, or the vet bills, I nod and let them watch him for ten minutes.
The good Lord didn't make us to live alone, and a lot of older folks I worked with in the hospital did better at home when they had something warm and four-legged waiting on them. After thirty-eight years of nursing I've learned a thing or two about what's worth your money and what's just clever packaging. The catalogs below are ones I've ordered from or seen recommended often enough that I trust them. All are free to request, and most have a website if your eyes are tired by evening like mine.
A note on pet insurance and household budgets
Before we get into the catalogs, a word from the practical side. A senior dog or cat will, sooner or later, cost you money at the vet. Tom and I budget about forty dollars a month into a savings envelope for Ranger, and we've used it twice already — once for an ear infection, once for a bad reaction to a foxtail. Some folks prefer pet insurance. Either way works; doing nothing does not.
Read the fine print on any wellness or insurance plan. Watch for waiting periods, age cutoffs, and what counts as a pre-existing condition. If your dog already limps in cold weather, an orthopedic claim later may not be covered — that's how every insurance product works, human or animal.
10. In the Company of Dogs
This one has been around since 1994 and is still mailing catalogs in 2026. It leans toward gifts and gear — sturdy collars, raised feeders, those padded orthopedic beds that are a blessing for an older dog with hip trouble. It's not the cheapest catalog you'll ever order, but the quality holds up to a Michigan winter, which is more than I can say for some of the bargain stuff. Order the free catalog here.
9. Petco
Petco still mails materials and runs a deep website, though I'd mention that the company has been closing some underperforming stores in 2025. If your local Petco is still open, the curbside pickup is a real help on the days my knees are talking back. They carry the basics for dogs, cats, fish, birds, and small animals, and the in-store vaccination clinics are a reasonable option if you don't have a regular vet. Request the free Petco catalog.
8. Orvis
Orvis is best known for fly fishing, but their dog catalog is excellent — particularly for sporting breeds and older dogs that need a memory-foam bed. Their tough chew toys held up to my son-in-law Paul's labrador for almost a year, which is some kind of record. Pricey, but you're not replacing things every six months. Order the Orvis pet catalog.
7. Wagmo
Wagmo isn't a product catalog so much as a pet wellness and insurance company. They were founded around 2017 and are still operating as of 2026, with both wellness reimbursement plans and accident-and-illness insurance. I'd recommend folks compare at least three pet insurance providers before signing anything, because rates vary wildly by zip code and the age of your animal. Wagmo is one option to put on the list, not the only one. Learn more about Wagmo here.
6. Back in the Saddle
For the horse folks and the rest of us who grew up on Westerns. Mostly horse-themed gifts, apparel, and home décor rather than feed or tack. I've ordered Christmas presents from it for my brother in Kentucky three years running. Order the free catalog.
5. Pet Supermarket
If you live in the Southeast, you may have a Pet Supermarket store nearby; up here in Michigan we order online. Food selection is good, prices reasonable, promotions frequent. Sign up for their email list only if you trust yourself not to over-order — I've made that mistake more than once. Get the free Pet Supermarket catalog.
4. PetSmart
PetSmart hasn't done the kind of store closures Petco announced, and the chain is still the largest specialty pet retailer in the country. Their grooming services are fairly priced, and the in-store training classes are gentle and well-structured — we took Ranger through basic obedience there and the trainer was patient with both the dog and the elderly handler. Order the free PetSmart catalog.
3. Murray McMurray Hatchery
Now this one is special. Murray McMurray has been hatching and shipping baby poultry since 1917 — that's over a hundred years — and their catalog is a reading experience all on its own. If you've moved to a few acres in retirement and have ever thought about backyard chickens for fresh eggs, this is the catalog to start with. They also sell incubators, books, and feed equipment. Just check your town's zoning before you order anything that clucks. Request the Murray McMurray catalog.
2. Pet Supplies 4 Less
This is the one I order from when I want to stretch a dollar. Pet Supplies 4 Less, based out of Fairbury, Nebraska, focuses on flea and tick prevention, dental care, and basic medications — usually at lower prices than the big-box stores. They partner with a verified online pharmacy for prescription items, which I appreciate; I've seen too many folks order pet meds from sketchy overseas sites and get something that's the wrong dose or worse. Order the Pet Supplies 4 Less catalog.
1. The Ritzy Rover
I'll be honest — this one is not for me. The Ritzy Rover sells designer dog clothing, fancy beds, and upscale accessories, and Ranger would tear a sweater apart in about four minutes flat. But my granddaughter Hannah has a little Yorkie in Ann Arbor that wears a different outfit every Sunday, so I order this catalog and pass it along. If you have a small dog and an indulgent streak, you'll enjoy flipping through it. Get The Ritzy Rover catalog.
What I'd actually do if I were starting fresh
If a friend at church asked me, I'd tell her to start with three catalogs, not ten. Order the In the Company of Dogs catalog for the orthopedic bed and a sturdy lead. Order Pet Supplies 4 Less for the routine medications. And if you've got the room and the temperament for it, order Murray McMurray and dream about chickens for a while.
A few things worth remembering
- Talk to your vet before changing food or starting supplements. What works for the neighbor's dog may not be right for yours, especially with a senior animal or one on medication.
- Watch the auto-ship. Most of these companies will happily charge your card every month. Set a reminder to look at the next shipment a week before it goes out.
- Stairs and slippery floors are harder on a dog than most folks realize. A simple runner in the hallway saved Ranger's hips and saved my back when I stopped lifting him onto the couch.
- Don't underestimate companionship. The research on pets and older adults is consistent — lower blood pressure, fewer falls in some studies, better mood. The cost of food and a vet visit is usually worth it.
Pets ask very little of us and give back a great deal. If you've been on the fence about adopting one in retirement, talk to your doctor, talk to your family, and visit a shelter. The right one will let you know.
