As a devoted pet parent, you want the very best for your beloved companion – but with so many pet supply retailers to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to shop. Two of the biggest names in the industry are Petco and PetSmart. While these pet superstores may seem similar at first glance, there are actually some notable differences that are worth considering.
To help you determine which retailer is the best fit for you and your furry friend, we‘ve put together this comprehensive Petco vs PetSmart comparison. We‘ll take an in-depth look at their product selection, services, adoption programs, vet care, prices, customer reviews, and more. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to make an informed decision about where to get your pet supplies.
Petco Overview
Let‘s start with some background on the first contender – Petco. This pet specialty retailer was founded all the way back in 1965, originally operating as a mail-order veterinary supply company. Over the decades, Petco has greatly expanded its retail footprint. Today, you can find more than 1,500 Petco stores across the US, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
The company‘s mission revolves around promoting the health, wellness, and happiness of pets. In Petco stores, you‘ll find a wide array of high-quality pet products, including food, treats, toys, bedding, habitats, and supplies for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals. Petco also offers helpful pet services like grooming, positive dog training, and full-service veterinary hospitals in many locations.
Animal welfare and adoption are important causes for Petco as well. Through their Petco Love initiative (formerly the Petco Foundation), they partner with thousands of local animal welfare groups to help shelter pets find loving homes. Since 1999, the Petco Love program has facilitated over 6.5 million pet adoptions.
Another advantage of shopping at Petco is that they will match competitors‘ prices on identical products, both in-store and online. So you can always feel confident you‘re getting the best deal.
PetSmart Overview
Next up, let‘s get to know PetSmart. Founded in 1987, PetSmart was one of the first retailers to bring the pet superstore concept to North America. Their goal was to create an all-in-one shopping destination for pet owners.
This approach clearly resonated, as PetSmart has grown to be the largest specialty pet retailer in North America with over 1,650 stores across the US and Canada. Inside these stores, pet parents will find a broad selection of products for dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, birds, and small pets.
In addition, PetSmart provides an array of convenient pet services to make life easier for busy pet owners. These include professional grooming, dog training, adopting kiosks, and Banfield Pet Hospital locations for vet care. Select PetSmart stores even have PetsHotels that provide fun doggie day camps and overnight boarding.
Giving back is at the heart of the PetSmart brand as well. The company partners with over 4,000 animal welfare organizations through PetSmart Charities, which is the largest funder of animal welfare in North America. Together, they‘ve helped facilitate over 9 million pet adoptions. When you adopt a pet at PetSmart, you receive valuable coupons and a free vet visit to get your new addition started on the right paw.
PetSmart also matches competitors‘ prices on products, ensuring you always get a great value when you shop with them.
Comparing the Pet Supply Shopping Experience
While Petco and PetSmart are both stellar choices for your pet supply needs, you‘re probably wondering how they stack up in terms of the actual shopping experience. Let‘s go through some of the key factors to consider.
Product Selection
Both Petco and PetSmart carry a wide variety of pet products, but there are some differences in selection and organization. Petco‘s aisles and website are divided by animal type, with separate sections for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals. Within each of those categories, you‘ll find food, treats, toys, habitats, and other supplies.
PetSmart, on the other hand, seems to have a slightly larger overall selection, but organizes its products a bit differently. Rather than being grouped strictly by animal, their aisles and site have sections like "Food", "Treats", "Beds", and "Toys" with options for different animals within those broader categories. Some shoppers may find PetSmart‘s layout more intuitive, while others prefer Petco‘s animal-specific organization. It really comes down to personal preference.
Services
Another aspect to compare is the pet services offered by each retailer. Both Petco and PetSmart have grooming salons, dog training classes, vet clinics, and adoption centers in many of their stores.
However, there are a few key service differences. Petco offers a self-service dog wash area in some locations where pet parents can bathe their pooch. They also provide pet insurance and same-day delivery from select stores.
PetSmart, in contrast, has unique offerings like the PetsHotel for doggie day camp and boarding, as well as in-store Doggie Day Camps. So if you‘re looking for pet sitting or boarding services, PetSmart may be the better bet.
Adoption Programs
For prospective pet parents, both Petco and PetSmart are great places to adopt a dog, cat, or other animal in need of a forever home. Petco partners with local shelters and rescue groups through the Petco Love adoption program. You can search the Petco Love site by zip code to find adoptable animals near you and upcoming adoption events.
PetSmart makes adoption easy with in-store Adopting Spots and website through PetSmart Charities featuring pets available at their partnered organizations. Bonus: if you adopt from PetSmart, you can get a free vet checkup and coupons for all the new pet essentials.
Vet Services
For pet parents‘ convenience, you can find veterinary services at both Petco and PetSmart. Petco offers Vetco vaccination clinics and full-service vet hospitals right inside select stores, although exact services and pricing may vary by location.
PetSmart has Banfield Pet Hospitals connected to many store locations, providing full-service preventive, routine, and emergency vet care. Banfield also offers Optimum Wellness Plans that make budgeting for your pet‘s veterinary care easy with convenient monthly payments.
While both in-store vet services are great in a pinch, it‘s a good idea to establish a relationship with a trusted local vet for your pet‘s ongoing needs as well.
Price Comparison
Let‘s face it, cost is a major consideration for most shoppers. To help you decide where to get the most bang for your buck, we compared prices on some popular pet products at Petco and PetSmart:
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Toy Breed Adult Dog Food (4 lb bag)
Petco: $11.99
Petsmart: $11.99 -
Clumping Cat Litter (14 lb)
Petco: $9.99
Petsmart: $8.99 -
Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
Petco: $5.99
Petsmart: $6.99 -
Catnip Mouse Toy (2 pack)
Petco: $2.49
Petsmart: $2.99 -
Plush Squeaky Dog Toy
Petco: $5.99
Petsmart: $4.99
As you can see, prices on individual items are very comparable, with both retailers having the edge on certain products. With price matching guarantees at both stores, you really can‘t go wrong either way.
It‘s also worth noting that Petco and PetSmart frequently run sales and promotions to help you save. Applying for their free loyalty programs (Petco Pals or PetSmart Treats) will get you additional coupons, as well as earning points back on purchases.
Customer Reviews & Reputation
To gauge what real pet parents think of Petco and PetSmart, we combed through countless customer reviews on sites like Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, and Google. While both retailers have their share of positive and negative feedback, the general consensus is favorable towards both.
Many Petco shoppers rave about the store‘s knowledgeable, friendly staff and appreciate their commitment to animal welfare. Customers also praise Petco‘s high-quality products, competitive prices, and convenient in-store services. On the negative side, some shoppers have reported inconsistent stock issues.
PetSmart similarly receives kudos for helpful employees, clean store environments, and great product selection. Customers love the one-stop-shop experience of getting everything they need for their pet in one place, from food to toys to vet care. A few reviewers noted longer than expected wait times for services like grooming.
Ultimately, your experience may vary depending on your local store and staff. But based on our research, you‘ll likely have a positive experience at both Petco and PetSmart.
Shipping & Returns
If you prefer to shop online and have pet supplies delivered to your door, you‘ll be happy to know that both Petco and PetSmart offer easy ecommerce options. Here‘s how they compare:
Petco Shipping & Returns
– Free economy shipping over $35
– $5.95 flat rate under $35
– Most orders delivered within 2-5 business days
– 30 day return policy (some exclusions apply)
– Free in-store returns
PetSmart Shipping & Returns
– Free shipping over $49
– Ships in 1-5 business days
– 60 day return policy with receipt
– Free in-store returns
Both retailers‘ shipping and return policies are fairly standard. PetSmart does have a slight edge with the longer 60 day return window compared to Petco‘s 30 days. But Petco offers free shipping at a lower minimum purchase amount.
Final Verdict: Should You Shop at Petco or PetSmart?
After this deep dive comparing Petco and PetSmart, you‘re probably still wondering – which pet superstore is better? The truth is, both retailers offer high-quality products, helpful services, and great value for pet parents.
Your decision may come down to which store is more convenient or has specific services you need. For example, if you‘re looking for pet boarding or doggie day camp, PetSmart is your best bet. If you like to keep your dog freshly bathed with self-service dog washing, Petco has you covered.
Keen to adopt a new companion? Both Petco Love and PetSmart Charities are wonderful programs to find your next furry family member. Whichever store you choose to adopt from, you‘ll feel great knowing you‘re giving a deserving pet a loving home.
When it comes to the basics like food, toys, and treats, you really can‘t go wrong with either Petco or PetSmart. They carry top brands at competitive prices, frequently offer sales and promotions, and allow you to rack up rewards through their loyalty programs. Just go with whichever store is most convenient for you or happens to have a specific item you‘re searching for.
Ultimately, the best pet retailer for you is the one that helps you be the best pet parent you can be by providing everything your companion needs to thrive. Whether you opt for Petco, PetSmart, or a combination of both, the most important thing is showering your animal friend with love, care, and plenty of belly rubs. They‘re the real winners in this scenario.
We hope this comprehensive comparison has been helpful as you navigate the options and decide where to pick up your pet essentials. For even more pet parenting tips, product reviews, and adorable animal content, be sure to check out the rest of our blog.
