Petco is probably one of the first places that come to mind when shopping for all your pet’s food, toys, and supplies. Even though they are a company that has been around since 1965, they aren’t your only in-store and online option anymore. In today’s consumer-based world, there are numerous other stores for you to shop with—some of which you might enjoy more or save more money with.
Check out our direct comparisons of six of the top Petco alternatives below!
A Quick Look at Our Winners of 2024
| Image | Product | Details | ||
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Chewy |
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Visit Chewy |
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Amazon |
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Visit Amazon |
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PetSmart |
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Visit PetSmart |
The 6 Petco Alternatives
1. Chewy vs Petco
When it comes to pet supplies, no one is doing it better than Chewy.com. Shopping currently only takes place online, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for shoppers. This company currently has eight fulfillment centers covering over 9 million square feet. Their philosophy is, “The bigger, the better. The more supplies we stock, the faster the products get shipped.” If you’ve already shopped through Chewy, you know this is true. Their shipping is fast, and they carry over 2,000 brands for you to choose from. On top of that, they offer 24/7 customer service.
They don’t currently have a loyalty program set up, but you can save money by signing up for their auto-ship program.
2. Amazon vs Petco
Another top-notch Petco alternative to save you money is Amazon. Amazon.com has become a place for all your shopping needs—not just pet supplies. This is one of the best online stores to shop through if you’re trying to save money because the number of brands and suppliers that they have is unmatched. It does not matter what type of pet you’re shopping for; you can most likely buy whatever you need through Amazon.
While most shopping does take place online, having an Amazon Prime account can get you free next-day and sometimes same-day shipping depending on your location. It’s also ideal because you can find plenty of reviews to help make your decisions about the products you’re considering. Unfortunately, they don’t currently offer pet medications like the stores that focus on pet supplies specifically.
3. Allivet vs Petco
Allivet is less popular than some other pet retailers, although you shouldn’t overlook them when it comes to shopping for your pet. This site is similar to Chewy.com in that it offers thousands of pet products. You can save money both through their rewards program and with their auto-ship program. Allivet only offers free shipping for orders over $49, but it isn’t too costly if you do all your shopping at once. Most customers love this company because they have a huge range of pet medications available for dogs, cats, birds, livestock, fish, and horses. They don’t provide a lot of sales and can be a bit pricey at times. Still, it might be your new go-to pet supply store after shopping there a few times.
Allivet is a one-stop shop for all things pet and offers a rewards program, while Petco offers everything you need at a more reasonable cost.
4. PetSmart vs Petco
PetSmart is an obvious Petco alternative because it is one of few pet supply companies that still have brick-and-mortar stores located across the country and also offer online shopping. They have a range of products comparable to Petco as well. However, delivery can be slow, and shipping is only free when spending over $49. There are ways to save money through their loyalty program and curbside pickup, but this isn’t ideal for customers who prefer delivery.
5. Budget Pet Care vs Petco
If you’re solely looking to save money on pet supplies, then Budget Pet Care is the place to shop. This company offers free shipping on all orders being delivered in the United States. They also have constant deals being offered and a rewards program available. Customers also enjoy that there is an online chat for when you need fast customer service.
That said, many of their deals are limited to only a few specific products at a time, and you have to check constantly to see if your brand cut. Unless you’re truly dedicated to a discount and enjoy a challenge, Budget Pet Care can be super time-consuming.
6. Only Natural Pet vs Petco
The first thing that immediately grabs your attention when shopping at Only Natural Pet is their rebate program. Customers save 5% on all Only Natural Pet brand products and 2.5% on all other brands that they offer. These savings also apply to sale and discount items. Only Natural Pet offers hundreds of healthy products and a library of helpful articles on holistic pet care. However, they don’t have nearly the number of brands of products available that many other pet supply stores do.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right Petco Alternative
The pet store or website that you purchase your pet supplies from might not seem like that big of a decision. After all, as long as you get what you were looking for, why would it matter? Many of these stores offer rewards programs, though. That means that the more you shop with that company, the more money you save—that can really add up throughout the year. These companies also offer different perks. If you want a store that offers auto-ship so that you don’t have to constantly be online, that immediately rules out some of your options. If you want free delivery, then it rules out even more stores. Here are some more things to consider when looking for Petco alternatives:
Product Range
Most pet owners find it helpful when a store has hundreds, if not thousands, of brands that they can shop with. It seems a little overwhelming at first, but most well-made online stores allow you to filter the products and brands that pop up while browsing.
Shipping
Shipping prices can completely alter your shopping experience. Your online cart might be just within budget, only for it to be way over budget once shipping and taxes are added when you reach the checkout screen. Ask yourself what you expect from a company. Are you okay with companies that offer free shipping only after spending a certain amount of money, or would you rather pay a membership fee and always have free shipping regardless of how much you spend? These are things that any smart shopper needs to consider.
Rewards Programs
There is nobody in the world that doesn’t like to save money when they can. Rewards and loyalty programs are an easy way to do this. Think of it as a reward for being a dedicated customer. The more you shop through that store, the more savings are offered to you. This is a win-win for both the customer and the company.
Sales
Not every pet store is going to have sales going on all the time. If saving money and sticking to a budget is important to you, then you need to find a company that always has sales going on throughout the year. If not sales, then at least a great clearance section.
Conclusion
You may have been shopping with Petco for years, and that is perfectly fine, but it’s nice to know that there are other options out there for you when you’re ready— many of which might offer you more perks, brands, and savings.
While Petco is still a great place to shop, these comparisons show that there might be better in-person and online pet stores available to you. Chewy has our vote for the top Petco alternative while Amazon is great for convenience and value. PetSmart is another viable option to facilitate last-minute or emergency pet supplies shopping.
Featured Image Credit: Bussakorn Ewesakul, Shutterstock
