Petco and PetSmart are the two largest pet-store chains in the United States, and on the shelf they look nearly identical. The real differences are three: how many stores each runs and how close one is to you, how veterinary care works inside the store, and how each loyalty program is structured. Those are the attributes that actually change your experience, so that is what this comparison measures, with each figure sourced.

Short answer: PetSmart has more US locations and a free points-based rewards program, with full-service veterinary care through Banfield clinics inside many stores. Petco runs fewer US stores but operates its own full-service Vetco Total Care hospitals plus a large weekly vaccination-clinic network, and it offers both a free rewards tier and an optional paid membership that pays cash rewards back each month. If a nearby store and full-service in-store vet matter most, check which chain is closer and whether it has a vet clinic on site before deciding.

How Petco and PetSmart Actually Differ

Sources: store counts from ScrapeHero US location reports for Petco and PetSmart; Petco veterinary figures from the company’s fiscal 2025 annual filing (year ended January 31, 2026); Petco loyalty details from Petco Vital Care; PetSmart Treats Rewards terms from PetSmart.

Petco: What Stands Out

Petco runs about 1,357 US stores, fewer than PetSmart, but its veterinary footprint is the differentiator. The company operates roughly 300 of its own full-service Vetco Total Care hospitals and ran over 1,500 Vetco vaccination clinics on a weekly basis as of its fiscal year ending January 31, 2026. Because Petco employs the veterinary side directly, vet records, store purchases, and the loyalty program sit in one account.

The weekly Vetco vaccination clinics are the practical edge. They are express clinics for vaccines, microchipping, and basic preventive services at set times, which is useful if you want shots without booking a full exam. They do not perform surgery or emergency care, so a sick or injured pet still needs a full-service hospital.

On loyalty, Petco offers a free Vital Care Core tier that earns points and includes a free eighth dog groom. The paid Vital Care Premier tier is $24.99/month for dogs and cats and returns $15/month in rewards, 10% off dog or cat nutrition, 20% off grooming, and routine Vetco exams. Premier only makes sense if you reliably spend at Petco every month; for occasional shoppers the free tier is the right call.

Where Petco fits: owners who want store-run, full-service vet care and low-cost weekly vaccination clinics in one place, and frequent shoppers who can earn back the paid membership fee.

Trade-offs to know: fewer US stores than PetSmart, so it may not be the closer option; the $24.99/month Premier tier is wasted money if you do not shop there monthly.

PetSmart: What Stands Out

PetSmart is the larger chain by US store count, at about 1,533 locations as of May 2026, so in many neighborhoods it is simply closer. Its in-store veterinary care comes through Banfield Pet Hospital, a separate full-service veterinary company that leases space inside many PetSmart stores. Banfield handles routine exams through more involved treatment, and it sells its own Optimum Wellness Plans for recurring preventive care.

Because Banfield is a distinct company, its records and billing are separate from your PetSmart store account, unlike Petco’s single-account setup. For some owners that separation is fine; for others, having vet and retail under one roof is the reason to pick Petco.

PetSmart’s Treats Rewards program is free, with no paid tier. Members earn 10 points per dollar spent in stores, online, and in the app, redeemable toward future purchases, plus birthday perks. There is no monthly membership to weigh; the value is the points plus PetSmart’s frequent promotions.

Where PetSmart fits: owners who value the nearest store and the most in-store locations, and anyone who wants a no-cost rewards program with no membership math.

Trade-offs to know: the in-store vet is a separate company (Banfield), so it is not the unified records-and-rewards model Petco offers; there is no paid tier that returns monthly cash rewards.

Which Should You Choose?

Start with location. Search both chains for your ZIP code; the closer store with a vet clinic on site is often the deciding factor, and PetSmart’s larger US footprint makes it the nearer option in many areas.

Choose Petco if you want store-operated full-service vet care, easy access to weekly low-cost vaccination clinics, or a single account tying together purchases, vet visits, and rewards. The paid Vital Care Premier tier is worth it only if you spend at Petco every month.

Choose PetSmart if a nearby store matters most, you want full-service in-store vet care through Banfield, or you prefer a free rewards program with no membership fee to track.

For routine vet care at either chain, call the specific clinic for a written estimate before your visit. In-store vet pricing varies by location and service, so a quote from your local clinic beats any national average.

Other Options Worth Knowing

• Chewy is the main online-only alternative to both, with Autoship subscriptions and its own telehealth and pharmacy services. There is no physical store or in-person vet clinic.
• Local independent pet stores and standalone vet clinics often match or beat chain pricing on services and carry brands the big two do not stock.

If you are deciding between in-store and online buying, see our guide to choosing pet vet care and our roundup of the products and services GetPetPros has researched most on the most-researched page. To see how we form these comparisons, read how we evaluate.

See which option is right for your pet’s size and needs on GetPetPros.

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By the GetPetPros Team