Is Petco Cheaper Than PetSmart? Prices and Rewards Compared (2026)
Neither Petco nor PetSmart is cheaper on every item in the US; the gap usually comes from rewards, subscriptions and memberships. PetSmart Treats Rewards gives 10 points per $1 with 1,000 points worth $2, while Petco Perks Premier costs $24.99 a month for dogs and cats with Petco Cash and member discounts, per each retailer. Check ShopBack before you check out.
Petco is not reliably cheaper than PetSmart, or the reverse, since the real 2026 difference comes from rewards, subscriptions and memberships, so compare both, then shop through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. According to PetSmart, Treats Rewards members earn 10 points per $1 and 1,000 points equal $2. According to Petco, Petco Perks Premier costs $24.99 a month for dogs and cats and includes $15 in Petco Cash each month plus member discounts.
ShopBack US is a free app and website that returns part of what you spend at partner stores as cash you can withdraw. Petco and Chewy are on ShopBack US; PetSmart is not at the time of writing. Check ShopBack before you check out, and after the order is confirmed, cash comes back to your account. Join ShopBack US free here
Is Petco cheaper than PetSmart?
Usually it depends on what you buy and how you shop, not on the store name. Both are national pet chains selling many of the same food brands, litter and supplies, and both change prices by item and week. Here is how the two compare on the facts each one publishes, at the time of writing:
| What you want to know | Petco | PetSmart | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | San Diego, California | Phoenix, Arizona | Wikipedia |
| Store count | 1,382 locations (2025) | More than 1,650 stores in the US and Canada (2020) | Wikipedia |
| Free loyalty program | Petco Perks: points toward Petco Cash, three times the points on Petco brands | Treats Rewards: 10 points per $1, 1,000 points = $2 | Petco; PetSmart |
| Paid membership | Perks Premier: $24.99 a month for dogs and cats, $9.99 for small pets, annual commitment | No paid tier; Bestie and VIPP tiers unlock by annual spend | Petco; PetSmart |
| Subscription orders | Autoship savings for Perks members | 5% off recurring Autoship orders for members | Petco; PetSmart |
| Shipping | Check Petco's current terms | Free ship to home on select orders of $49 or more | PetSmart |
| Services | Grooming, training and vet care in many stores | Grooming, daycare, boarding, training and in-store vet clinics run by third parties | Wikipedia |
What that adds up to: on a single bag of food, a weekly sale at either store can flip which one is lower. Over a year, the store that gives you more back through its rewards, membership or subscription is usually the cheaper one for you.
The short version: compare the same item and size in both carts, add what each program gives back, and check ShopBack before you check out at Petco.
Petco vs PetSmart in 2026: the rewards programs side by side
In 2026, PetSmart's Treats Rewards is a points program that pays about $2 per $100 at the base tier, while Petco Perks has a free points tier and a paid Premier tier built around monthly Petco Cash and discounts.
PetSmart Treats Rewards, according to PetSmart:
- Free to join for US residents aged 18 or older.
- 10 points per $1 on merchandise and services; 1,000 points equal $2 in savings.
- Tier bonuses of 2 extra points per $1 for Bestie members ($500 to $999 a year) and 4 extra points per $1 for VIPP members ($1,000 or more a year).
- 1,000 points for completing your profile, members-only in-store pricing, personalized offers, and a birthday or Gotcha Day gift.
- Gift cards, shipping, discounts, taxes and vet services do not earn points.
Petco Perks, according to Petco:
- A free tier that earns points toward Petco Cash on most purchases, three times the points on Petco brands, Autoship savings, a birthday treat and personalized offers.
- A paid tier, Perks Premier, at $24.99 a month for dogs and cats and $9.99 a month for birds, reptiles, fish and small pets, with an annual commitment.
- Premier for dogs and cats includes $15 in Petco Cash each month, 10% off all food, 20% off every dog groom, 20% off all cat litter and unlimited vet exams at Petco.
- Premier for small pets includes $5 in Petco Cash each month, 15% off food and 15% off supplies.
If you spend a moderate amount on one cat or dog and rarely use services, PetSmart's points and Petco's free tier are close enough that the shelf price usually decides it. If you groom, buy litter and visit the vet at Petco, Premier changes the math.
Petco vs PetSmart best deals in the US: when Premier pays off
Petco Perks Premier pays off for dog and cat owners who would use most of the Petco Cash, food discount and services each month. A worked example, with illustrative spending only:
| Line | Illustrative amount per year |
|---|---|
| Premier membership ($24.99 a month for 12 months) | $299.88 |
| Petco Cash ($15 a month) | $180 back to spend at Petco |
| 10% off food on $80 a month of food | $96 saved |
| Value before grooming, litter or vet visits | $276 |
In that example, Premier on its own falls about $24 short of its cost from food and Petco Cash. Add a few dog grooms at 20% off, monthly litter at 20% off or a vet exam, and it can come out ahead. If you buy only food, a free rewards tier at either store is usually the cheaper route.
Before you check out, go through ShopBack to get a post-purchase discount on the order. That applies whether you pay Premier prices or regular prices at Petco.
Petco vs Chewy vs PetSmart: price comparison in 2026
For a 2026 price comparison, treat Chewy as the online-only option, Petco and PetSmart as store-plus-online options, and compare the same item, size and delivery cost across all three. Chewy is an online retailer of pet food and supplies based in Plantation, Florida, founded in 2011, and Wikipedia notes its Autoship subscription program as a driver of its sales. Petco and PetSmart sell online too, with store pickup and services such as grooming.
How to compare fairly:
- Same product, same size. Price per pound or per count is the only fair way to compare food and litter.
- Add delivery. PetSmart lists free ship to home on select orders of $49 or more; check the current delivery terms at Petco and Chewy for your order.
- Count subscription discounts. Autoship savings at each store change the price of repeat orders, but the first order and later orders may be priced differently.
- Count rewards. Points at Petco and PetSmart lower future orders at that store only.
- Check ShopBack before you check out. Petco and Chewy are on ShopBack US, so the money that comes back lowers the effective price there.
Other US stores that sell pet food and supplies on ShopBack US include Walmart and Target, if you prefer to add pet items to a household order.
Petco, Chewy and PetSmart in the US: subscriptions and services
In the US, all three pet retailers offer repeat-delivery subscriptions, and Petco and PetSmart add in-store services that can matter more than product prices.
- Subscriptions. PetSmart says Treats Rewards members get 5% off recurring Autoship orders. Petco lists Autoship savings as a Petco Perks benefit. Chewy runs Autoship as its subscription program. Check each store's current terms before you sign up.
- Grooming. Petco Perks Premier for dogs includes 20% off every dog groom, according to Petco. PetSmart Treats Rewards includes Salon Reward Certificates with bath or groom purchases, up to two a year, according to PetSmart.
- Vet care. Petco runs vet clinics in many stores, and Premier includes unlimited vet exams at Petco. PetSmart stores host vet clinics run by third parties, according to Wikipedia.
If your pet needs regular grooming or vet visits, price those services first. They often cost more over a year than the food itself.
Can you earn ShopBack Cashback and store rewards on the same order?
Usually yes: Petco rewards and ShopBack Cashback come from different places, so on an eligible Petco order you can typically earn both. PetSmart is not on ShopBack US at the time of writing, so its points are the main money back there.
Check ShopBack before you check out at Petco or Chewy
Check ShopBack before you check out. On ShopBack US, open the store first, then shop and pay:
- Sign in to ShopBack US on the app or website.
- Open ShopBack's Petco page or ShopBack's Chewy page.
- Check the live rate, then tap through to the store.
- Shop and check out.
- After the order is confirmed, cash comes back to your ShopBack account, ready to withdraw.
The effective price is what you pay minus what ShopBack returns. Check the live rate on ShopBack's Petco page, because it can change.
Why Cashback works like a discount
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Petco Cash and PetSmart points can only be spent at those stores; ShopBack cash can be withdrawn.
That makes it simple to compare stores: take the cart total, subtract what each loyalty program gives back, and subtract what ShopBack returns where the store is on ShopBack US. The lowest number is your cheapest store for that order.
Frequently asked questions
Is Petco cheaper than PetSmart?
Not across the board. Shelf prices on the same national brand change by item and week at both Petco and PetSmart, so the real gap usually comes from rewards, subscriptions and memberships. Compare the same item in both carts, add what each loyalty program gives back, and check ShopBack before you check out at Petco.
What do PetSmart Treats Rewards points work out to?
According to PetSmart, members earn 10 points per $1 on merchandise and services, and every 1,000 points equals $2 in savings. That works out to about $2 back in points for every $100 spent at the base tier, with extra points per $1 for Bestie and VIPP members. Joining is free.
What is Petco Perks Premier and what does it cost?
Petco Perks Premier is Petco's paid membership tier. According to Petco, it costs $24.99 a month for dogs and cats and $9.99 a month for birds, reptiles, fish and small pets, with an annual commitment. The dog and cat tier includes $15 in Petco Cash each month, 10% off food, 20% off dog grooms, 20% off cat litter and unlimited vet exams at Petco.
Is the free Petco Perks membership worth joining?
For most regular Petco shoppers, yes, since it is free. According to Petco, free members earn points toward Petco Cash on most purchases, get three times the points on Petco brands, Autoship savings, a birthday treat for their pet and personalized offers.
Does PetSmart give a discount on Autoship?
According to PetSmart's Treats Rewards page, members get a 5% discount on recurring Autoship orders and earn base points on every Autoship order. Check the current Autoship terms on PetSmart's site before you sign up, as offers change.
Is Petco or Chewy cheaper?
It depends on the item and the week. Chewy is an online-only pet retailer with an Autoship subscription program, while Petco sells online and in stores with services such as grooming and vet care. Compare the same item and size, including shipping and any subscription discount, and go through ShopBack before you check out at either store.
Is PetSmart on ShopBack US?
Not at the time of writing. Petco and Chewy are on ShopBack US, so if you buy from either of them, open the store through ShopBack before you check out so part of what you spend comes back as cash.
Can I earn ShopBack Cashback and Petco rewards on the same order?
Usually you can earn Petco rewards points and ShopBack Cashback on the same eligible order, because they come from different places.
What is the effective price of a Petco order after ShopBack?
The effective price is what you pay minus what ShopBack returns. Check the live rate on ShopBack's Petco page before you check out, since rates change.
Is ShopBack Cashback the same as Petco Cash or PetSmart points?
No. Petco Cash and PetSmart points can only be spent at those stores. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. ShopBack US is free to join.
Related reads
Check ShopBack before you check out at: Petco · Chewy
About this guide
Petco Perks and Perks Premier terms come from Petco's MediaRoom page on Petco Perks. Treats Rewards and Autoship terms come from PetSmart's Treats Rewards page. Company locations and store counts come from Wikipedia. Membership prices and offers change, and Cashback rates change too, so this guide points to the live rate on each store's ShopBack page instead of quoting one.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Prices, membership fees, rewards terms and Cashback eligibility vary by retailer, item and time and are subject to change. Check the current terms with Petco, PetSmart and Chewy and on each merchant's ShopBack US page before you buy. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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