Saving with 6abc: Best pet food buys

We all love our pets. But let's face it, buying pet food can get pricey.

Consumer Reports ShopSmart checked out prices at supermarkets and at stores like Target, Walmart, Petco and PetSmart in its quest to find where to buy pet food for less.

"We sent a team of our secret shoppers to find the best prices on 23 pet products, including dog food, cat food, kitty litter, and treats," said Mandy Walker of Consumer Reports.

ShopSmart also checked pet food prices online. "PetFoodDirect.com is the biggest pet food e-tailer," according to Walker, "But we found it usually charged 50% more than the lowest prices we paid."

When deciding between PetSmart and Petco, Consumer Reports says you're better off at PetSmart. Its prices averaged 13% cheaper than Petco's.

But your best bet is a regular big box retailer!

A bag of Meow Mix Original Choice cost nearly $7 at Petco. It was just under $4 at Target. Milk-Bone dog treats at Petco were $6.50, but at Walmart they cost $2.50.

"In our search, we found Target and Walmart were much cheaper than anywhere else," according to Walker, "and their prices were usually just pennies apart."

If you're in a time crunch and end up buying your pet food at a supermarket or grocery store, don't feel bad. Consumer Reports found they're right in the middle of the pack when it comes to price.