PetSmart Review 2026: The Largest Pet Retailer in North America
GetPetPros Score: 7.7/10
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Store Network Size | 10/10 |
| Product Selection | 9.0/10 |
| Banfield Partnership | 8.0/10 |
| Treats Loyalty Program | 7.5/10 |
| Online Experience | 7.5/10 |
| Pricing vs. Competitors | 7.0/10 |
Quick verdict: PetSmart is the largest pet specialty retailer in North America — approximately 1,650 stores. The Banfield Pet Hospital partnership inside stores is a major differentiator; Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan provides comprehensive preventive care at predictable monthly costs. Product selection and pricing are comparable to Petco. Online experience lags slightly behind Chewy.
Best for: Banfield Wellness Plan members, owners who prioritize store availability and convenience, adopters (PetSmart Charities hosts adoption events in all stores).
Not ideal for: Online-first shoppers (Chewy wins on price), owners wanting the newest independent/premium brands (PetSmart skews mainstream).
Check Price“>Shop PetSmart →
Company Overview
PetSmart was founded in 1986 in Phoenix, Arizona as PETsMART (rebranded in 2005). The company is privately held after a leveraged buyout by BC Partners in 2015 for $8.7 billion — one of the largest retail LBOs in history. PetSmart also owns Chewy (acquired 2017, later taken public separately in 2019 — Chewy trades independently as CHWY but PetSmart retains majority ownership). As of 2026, PetSmart operates approximately 1,650 stores.
Key differentiators:
- Largest pet specialty retail network in North America
- Banfield Pet Hospital inside ~1,000 PetSmart locations
- PetSmart Charities: adoption events in every store, major shelter support
- Treats loyalty program
- Strong grooming and training program
Banfield Pet Hospital
Banfield is a separately operated veterinary chain inside PetSmart stores, owned by Mars Petcare. As of 2026, approximately 1,000 PetSmart locations have a Banfield clinic.
Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans:
- Puppy plans: ~$30–$50/month — includes unlimited wellness exams, all core vaccines, spay/neuter credit, deworming, fecal tests, dental cleaning
- Adult plans: ~$25–$45/month — annual wellness exam, vaccines, heartworm test, dental cleaning
- Senior plans: ~$35–$55/month — additional bloodwork and senior screenings
The Optimum Wellness Plan is a subscription to preventive care services — it is not insurance. It does not cover sick visits, injuries, or illnesses beyond what’s specified in the plan.
Banfield pros: Convenient co-location with store; consistent protocol across locations; wellness plan creates regular care engagement
Banfield cons: Quality varies by individual vet; plan is wellness-only (not insurance); can feel like a high-volume clinic
Treats Loyalty Program
PetSmart’s free loyalty program:
- 8 points per $1 spent
- 1,000 points = $8 reward
- Effective ~0.8% cash back on purchases
- Bonus point events and birthday rewards
Compared to Petco’s Vital Care membership (which requires a monthly fee for larger discounts), Treats is a modest free program. The effective discount rate is lower than Petco’s Vital Care for heavy spenders.
Product Selection
PetSmart carries most major brands including:
- Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet
- Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Merrick, Orijen
- Freshpet refrigerators in most stores
- Toys, accessories, beds, crates, training equipment
PetSmart has exclusive arrangements with some brands and carries slightly different assortments than Petco. Both stores are comparable in breadth.
Pricing Comparison
PetSmart pricing is generally within 1–3% of Petco for identical products, and 8–15% above Chewy’s autoship pricing.
Pros
- Largest store network — most convenient for in-person shopping
- Banfield partnership for in-store vet access
- PetSmart Charities has helped adopt millions of pets
- Wide product selection across all categories
- Same-day delivery through Doordash/Instacart partnerships
Cons
- Generally higher priced than Chewy for online orders
- Treats program provides lower effective discount than Petco Vital Care
- Banfield quality varies significantly by location
- Online/app experience less refined than Chewy
- Private equity ownership (BC Partners LBO) has created some financial complexity
Who Is PetSmart Best For?
PetSmart is best for owners who use Banfield Wellness Plans (the in-store vet convenience is significant) and for buyers who prefer in-person product selection. The store network is the largest in North America, making it the most reliably accessible option in nearly any metro area. For online purchasing, Chewy’s pricing and autoship system are better.
Alternatives
- Check Price“>Petco — Direct competitor; Vital Care membership may be better value for heavy spenders
- Petsmart Vs Petco
- Chewy — Better pricing for online orders
- Petsmart Vs Chewy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is PetSmart owned by Chewy?
A: It’s the reverse — PetSmart owns a majority stake in Chewy (acquired 2017). Chewy went public in 2019 and trades independently, but PetSmart is the major shareholder.
Q: Is the Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan worth it?
A: For puppies, almost certainly yes — the plan covers spay/neuter, all vaccines, unlimited exams, and dental cleaning at a predictable monthly cost. For adult dogs with low health needs, the math depends on how much you’d otherwise pay for annual wellness items. For senior dogs with health issues, the plan is wellness-only and doesn’t replace health insurance.
Q: Does PetSmart have a price match policy?
A: PetSmart offers price matching for identical in-stock items from direct competitors. Check the current policy at PetSmart.com as terms are updated periodically.
Q: What adoption services does PetSmart offer?
A: PetSmart stores host adoption events with local rescue organizations every weekend in most locations. PetSmart does not operate its own shelter — they provide space and support to local rescues through PetSmart Charities.
GetPetPros.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.