Quick answer: PetSmart is the largest pet specialty retailer in North America, with roughly 1,650 stores across the continent and 1,533 in the U.S. as of May 15, 2026 (ScrapeHero, May 15, 2026). Its edge is physical: the biggest store network plus an in-store Banfield Pet Hospital inside about 1,000 locations. On price it tracks close to Petco and sits above Chewy’s autoship. Buy here for in-person shopping and in-store vet access; shop Chewy for the lowest online price.

GetPetPros score: 7.7/10. We research and evaluate retailers from published data, pricing, and program terms. We do not buy from or physically test every store. See how we evaluate.

Best for: owners who use the Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan, shoppers who prefer picking products in person, and adopters (PetSmart Charities runs adoption events in stores).

Not ideal for: online-first shoppers who optimize for price (Chewy usually wins), and owners chasing the newest independent or boutique brands (PetSmart skews mainstream).

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Company Overview

PetSmart was founded in 1986 in Phoenix, Arizona (originally PetFood Warehouse) and reached its current name in 2005 (Wikipedia, PetSmart). It is privately held following a BC Partners-led leveraged buyout that closed in March 2015 for about $8.7 billion.

One widely repeated claim is out of date: PetSmart does not own Chewy today. PetSmart acquired Chewy in 2017, Chewy went public in June 2019, and the two separated by 2020 to 2021. They are now independently operated (Wikipedia, PetSmart). If you are comparing the two, treat them as separate companies, not parent and subsidiary.

What actually sets PetSmart apart:

• The largest pet specialty retail network in North America, roughly 1,650 stores
• Banfield Pet Hospital inside about 1,000 locations
• PetSmart Charities adoption events and shelter support
• The free Treats Rewards program, plus in-store grooming and training

Banfield Pet Hospital Inside the Store

Banfield is a separately operated veterinary chain owned by Mars Petcare, co-located inside many PetSmart stores. It reports more than 1,000 hospitals nationwide, a large share inside PetSmart locations (Banfield locations). The draw is convenience: drop off for a wellness visit while you shop.

The Optimum Wellness Plan is the piece most owners ask about, and the key fact is this: it is a preventive-care subscription, not pet insurance. It bundles routine items like exams, vaccines, and dental cleaning into a flat monthly payment. It does not cover sick visits, accidents, or illness beyond the listed preventive services. For an unexpected surgery or a chronic diagnosis, you want pet insurance, not a wellness plan.

Banfield publishes plan inclusions but not a single national price; monthly cost varies by pet age, location, and tier. Ask your local Banfield for a written monthly quote, then compare it against paying a la carte. Our vet care hub has a calculator that runs that comparison against typical US per-visit fees.

Where Banfield helps: co-located convenience, consistent protocols, and a wellness cadence that keeps preventive care on schedule. Where it falls short: vet quality varies by location, the plan is wellness-only (not insurance), and high-volume clinics can feel rushed. Read recent reviews for your specific Banfield before committing to a 12-month plan.

Treats Rewards: Free, but Modest

PetSmart revamped Treats Rewards into a free, three-tier program. The current structure, per PetSmart’s own program pages and Retail TouchPoints’ 2026 coverage, is:

• Base earn: 10 points per $1 spent on products and services
• Redemption: every 1,000 points equals $2 in savings, an effective base rate near 2% back
• Bestie tier (annual spend $500 to $999): +2 points per $1
• VIPP tier (annual spend $1,000+): +4 points per $1, plus early sale access and a holiday gift
• Sign-up bonus: complete your profile and earn 1,000 points ($2) up front

Sources: PetSmart Treats FAQ and Retail TouchPoints, 2026.

The trade-off: Treats is free, but the effective discount is small unless you reach VIPP. Heavy spenders may get more from Petco’s paid membership, so run that comparison before assuming free is cheaper.

Product Selection

PetSmart carries most major brands, including Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Merrick, and Orijen, plus Freshpet refrigerated food in most stores and a full range of toys, beds, crates, and training gear. Breadth is comparable to Petco. The gap shows on the newest independent and boutique brands, which often reach Chewy or direct-to-consumer channels first; check stock before driving to a store for a small-batch brand.

Pricing: How PetSmart Compares

On identical products, PetSmart pricing generally tracks within a few percentage points of Petco and runs above Chewy’s autoship, where recurring-delivery discounts give Chewy the structural edge. Gaps shift by category and promotion, so verify the specific item. The pattern is consistent: PetSmart and Petco sit close; Chewy is usually cheaper for routine reorders.

Petco Vital Care Premier is $24.99/month for dogs and cats and returns a monthly in-store credit plus nutrition and grooming discounts (Petco Vital Care, accessed June 2026). It only beats PetSmart’s free Treats if you use those benefits each month; for light spenders the fee erases the gain.

Pros

• Largest store network, the most reliably accessible chain in nearly any metro area
• In-store Banfield access for owners who want vet and retail in one trip
• PetSmart Charities has supported millions of adoptions
• Wide selection across food, gear, grooming, and training
• Same-day delivery in many markets through third-party couriers

Cons

• Generally priced above Chewy for online orders
• Treats returns a smaller effective discount than Petco’s paid membership for heavy spenders
• Banfield quality varies by location, so check local reviews first
• App and autoship experience trail Chewy
• Thinner on the newest independent and boutique brands

Who Should Buy at PetSmart?

Choose PetSmart if you value in-person shopping, want in-store vet access through Banfield, or the nearest big-box pet store is a PetSmart. The store network is the single strongest reason to shop here. If your priority is the lowest price on routine reorders, Chewy’s autoship usually beats it. If you spend heavily and would use a monthly credit and vet benefit, price out Petco’s paid membership first.

Common Questions

Does PetSmart own Chewy?
Not anymore. PetSmart acquired Chewy in 2017, Chewy went public in 2019, and the companies separated by 2020 to 2021. They now operate independently, so the older “PetSmart owns Chewy” claim is out of date.

Is the Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan worth it?
For puppies it often is, because it bundles the dense first-year items (multiple exams, vaccine series, spay/neuter, dental) into a predictable monthly cost. For healthy adult dogs, the math depends on what you would otherwise spend on those routine items. Either way it is wellness-only and does not replace pet insurance for accidents or illness. Get a written quote and run it through the calculator on our vet care hub.

Does PetSmart price match?
It has offered price matching on identical in-stock items from direct competitors, but terms change, so confirm the current policy at PetSmart.com first.

What adoption services does PetSmart offer?
PetSmart hosts adoption events with local rescue organizations in most stores, typically on weekends. It does not run its own shelter; through PetSmart Charities it provides space and support to local rescues.

Comparing where to buy and which vet plan to trust? Start with our most-researched guides and the vet care hub.

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