When it comes to pet supplies, Petco and Pet Supplies Plus are two of the biggest names in the industry. But which one is better for your furry friend?
This comprehensive guide will compare and contrast these two pet retail giants to help you decide where to shop.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Petco | Pet Supplies Plus |
| Store Locations | 1500+ nationwide | 500+ concentrated in Midwest and East Coast |
| Ownership Model | National chain | Local franchises |
| Product Selection | Very broad, many brands | Narrower selection, fewer brands |
| Pricing | Competitive with sales/rewards program | Price match guarantee to beat competitors |
| Services | Grooming, training, vet clinics | None beyond basic supplies |
| Rewards Program | Petco Pals rewards program | Pets Plus Perks program |
| Animal Support | Petco Foundation donations | Shelter adoption events |
| Store Experience | More big box | Neighborhood, community-focused |
Overview Of Petco
Founded in 1965, Petco is one of the most established pet supply chains in the US. They boast over 1500 brick-and-mortar stores across the country, making Petco products easily accessible for most pet parents.
Some key features of Petco include:
- Huge selection of pet foods, treats, toys, beds and other supplies for dogs, cats, reptiles, fish and small animals. Name brand and Petco’s own private label brands available.
- Full-service grooming salons and dog training services available in-store.
- Vetco clinics provide vaccinations and wellness services during routine visits.
- Repeatedly ranked among the top pet-friendly companies by various organizations.
- Petco Foundation actively supports animal welfare initiatives. Donated over $300 million to date.
- Pals Rewards membership program offers discounts and perks.
- Easy to shop online or in-store. Free shipping over $49 online.
Overview Of Pet Supplies Plus
Founded in 1988, Pet Supplies Plus specializes in neighborhood pet stores. They have over 500 locations in over 30 states, focused heavily in the Midwest and East Coast.
Some key features of Pet Supplies Plus include:
- Wide variety of pet foods, toys, treats and supplies for all types of pets. Both brand name and proprietary brands.
- More locally owned franchise model Vs. national chain for Petco.
- Pets Plus Perks rewards program offers coupons and discounts for frequent shoppers.
- In-store adoption events held regularly when shelters bring adoptable pets on-site.
- Low price match guarantee assures you get items for the lowest price.
- Neighborly, community feel due to more local ownership.
- Easy to shop online for delivery, buy online pick up in-store, or same day delivery.
Pet Supplies At Petco Vs. Pet Supplies Plus
When it comes to the actual pet products available, Petco and Pet Supplies Plus have many similarities with a few key differences.
- Food Selection
Both stores offer name brand and house brand dog and cat foods, including dry kibble, canned wet food, grain-free, raw food, prescription diets and more. Petco has a notably wider selection of brand name and specialty foods.
- Treats & Chews
Endless assortment of pet treats at both stores. Petco frequently runs deals like buy two get one free on treats.
- Toys
Huge variety of dog and cat toys available, spanning from basic tennis balls to high-tech interactive toys. Prices range from a few dollars to over $50 for “smart” toys.
- Medications
Prescription and over-the-counter medications sold at both stores. Petco offers in-house Vetco clinics for added convenience.
- Accessories
Standard accessories like collars, leashes, beds, apparel, bowls, crates, litter boxes, etc can be purchased at both Petco and Pet Supplies Plus. Petco typically has a greater product range.
- Grooming & Training
Full-service grooming salons only at Petco locations. Both feature dog training classes.
- Live Pets
Select stores for both sell small animals, reptiles, birds, fish. Not available online or at all locations.
Also Read: Differences Between Petco Vital Care And Banfield.
Key Differences Between The Retailers
While Petco and Pet Supplies Plus share many similarities, there are some key differences that set them apart.
- Store Locations: Petco has over 3 times more brick-and-mortar store locations compared to Pet Supplies Plus. Petco is located nationwide while Pet Supplies Plus is concentrated more on the East Coast and Midwest regions.
- National Vs. Local: Petco follows more of a national chain model with uniformity across stores. Pet Supplies Plus has more local and regional ownership through its franchise model. This gives Pet Supplies Plus stores more flexibility to cater to local community needs.
- Selection: Petco has a noticeably wider selection across pet categories, attributable to their greater market share and purchasing power. For unusual pet food brands or products, Petco is more likely to carry it.
- Prices: Pet Supplies Plus promotes a low price match guarantee, vowing to match lower prices from competitors. This makes their everyday pricing very competitive with Petco.
- Rewards Programs: Both feature rewards programs that offer discounts, coupons and perks for members. Petco Pals likely has wider national reach.
- Grooming & Vet Services: Key advantage that Petco has over Pet Supplies Plus is their full service grooming salons and Vetco veterinary clinics located conveniently in stores. For one-stop-shop pet needs, Petco has more services under one roof.
- Non-Profit Support: Both are actively involved in animal welfare and giving back to communities, with Petco Foundation making very significant monetary donations totaling hundreds of millions to various causes.
Pros Of Shopping At Petco
Here are the biggest benefits of choosing Petco for your pet supply purchases:
- Convenience of Services: Grooming, training and vet services at Petco stores are hugely convenient for pet owners. You can get your dog groomed while buying food or get kitty vaccinated during a regular shopping trip.
- National Brand Selection: With their market-leading size, Petco has the buying power to offer an unmatched assortment of pet brands and products. Hard-to-find specialty items more likely to be in stock.
- Competitive Pricing: Prices are fair and in line with other major pet retailers. Frequent sales and promotions make Petco pricing competitive.
- Ease of In-Store & Online Shopping: Huge network of conveniently located stores plus user-friendly ecommerce website and app makes shopping at Petco a smooth experience. Curbside pickup and same day delivery also offered.
- Petco Pals Rewards Program: Big discounts and coupons offered to members. Members-only pricing on select products.
Cons Of Shopping At Petco
As with any retailer, Petco isn’t perfect. Here are a few drawbacks to watch out for:
- Higher Prices on Select Items: While Petco is competitively priced on most products, some non-promotional items can cost more than competitors. Do price comparisons, especially on higher-ticket items.
- Quality of House Brand Food: Petco’s WholeHearted brand dry foods get mixed reviews from pet parents regarding ingredients and quality. Many prefer to stick to name brands.
- Staff Knowledge Inconsistent: Petco employees vary in their knowledge about pet nutrition and products. Some are extremely knowledgeable while others seem under-trained. Do your own research in addition to staff recommendations.
- Pushy Sales Tactics: Like most chains, Petco pushes promotions, warranties, memberships, etc to boost sales. Be firm about what you really need.
- Supply Shortages: Popular pet food brands may frequently be out-of-stock both online and locally due to supply chain issues.
Also Read: Comparison Between Seresto and Hartz
Pros Of Shopping Pet Supplies Plus
Switching over to Pet Supplies Plus, here are the notable benefits they offer:
- Local Ownership Experience: The franchise model results in more community-connected, small business style stores. Sales staff often know regulars and their pets by name, providing personalized service.
- Low Price Match Guarantee: Prices as good or better than competitors, ensured by their price match policy. This makes it easy to get confident you’re getting the best deal.
- Neighborhood Location Convenience: For areas where Pet Supplies Plus has locations, the smaller, neighborhood-based stores can be more conveniently located than larger Petco stores. Easy to zip into your local PSP.
- Animal Shelter Support: Hosting shelter pet adoption events is a great initiative that helps local rescues and homeless pets find loving homes.
- Up-Close Pet Interaction: Smaller size allows for closer interaction with pets versus a big box environment in Petco locations.
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Cons Of Shopping Pet Supplies Plus
Some drawbacks to watch for when shopping at Pet Supplies Plus include:
- Limited Brand Selection: With 500+ stores nationwide Vs. 1500+ Petco stores, Pet Supplies Plus can’t match the breadth and depth of brand selection. Specialty brands may not be available.
- No Grooming/Vet Services: Lack of in-house grooming salons and vet clinics is a disadvantage compared to Petco if you want those services handled where you buy supplies.
- Regional Store Locations: Heaviest presence is Midwest and East Coast, with just a fraction of stores compared to Petco, so harder to find and access stores on the West Coast or in the Southwest.
- Coupons & Discounts Less Available: Petco runs more frequent promotions both online and in the Pals rewards program. Pet Supplies Plus discounts aren’t advertised or offered as often.
- Smaller Stores Equals Lower Stock: The smaller store footprint of Pet Supplies Plus means fewer options on the shelves and popular items selling out fast. Expect supply shortages.
Also Read: Comparison Between World’s Best Cat Litter Multi-Cat and Regular
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In general, Petco and PetSmart are competitively priced with each other on popular pet food brands and supplies. Both chains frequently run promotions and sales, making direct price comparisons difficult. Overall, prices are similar with no consistently cheaper advantage for one over the other. It’s smart to compare individual prices before purchasing.
For dogs specifically, Petco holds an advantage over PetSmart with more available services that benefit dog owners. Petco offers full in-house grooming salons and dog training classes that PetSmart lacks. This makes one-stop shopping much simpler at Petco if you need both supplies and services.
Both Petco and PetSmart have faced some ethical concerns over the years, but have taken steps towards running more socially responsible businesses with significant charitable work.
Petco’s Petco Foundation leads the way with over $300 million in donations to animal welfare causes to date. Both have room for improvement but are viewed as ethical overall.
Online retailer Chewy.com is frequently cheaper than Petco on certain items, which is how they compete. However, Petco price matches so an item won’t be more expensive.
Exclusive sales and autoship discounts at Chewy provide added value. But Petco’s convenience, immediate availability, and bundling services like grooming give them a unique edge over online-only Chewy.
Also Read: Is Freshpet Better Than Blue Buffalo?
The Verdict
Determining whether Petco or Pet Supplies Plus is the better option comes down to your specific needs and preferences as a pet parent.
If you value convenience, broad product selection and integrated services under one roof, Petco likely gets the edge. The availability of on-site grooming, training and veterinary clinics stands out, in addition to a vast array of pet brands and supplies rarely out of stock. Just expect to pay a small premium on some items.
For maximum savings and a neighborhood pet shop feel, Pet Supplies Plus has appeal. The prices may beat Petco after price matching, and supporting local businesses and animal shelters are definite perks. Just know that selection is more limited and buying may involve multiple stops if you need services beyond supplies.
Whichever retailer you choose, you can feel good knowing your dollars go towards improving pet health, charities, and caring for our furry family members. Now those are pros for pets everywhere!
