Petco Review: Everything Your Pet Needs Under One Roof, With Service That Depends on Your Local Store
Petco’s best-documented strength is convenience, plus individual staff who build loyal customers. One Trustpilot reviewer wrote, “Remi does a great job giving him his haircuts and nail cuts,” and another, despite a billing complaint, said “The employees were very nice.” Petco is one of the largest pet retailers in the United States, with stores nationwide and a big online shop. It sells food, toys, beds, aquariums, fish, small animals and supplies, and offers grooming, dog training, in-store vet clinics and an online pharmacy for prescriptions. For pet owners, that range means one trip, or one website, covers almost everything. Membership programs and Repeat Delivery add savings for regular buyers.
The honest caveat: customer experiences vary widely. Petco’s Trustpilot profile scores 1.4 out of 5 from 1,712 reviews, and 84% are one-star. Complaints include sales advertised as “20% off SITEWIDE” that didn’t apply as expected, online pharmacy problems (“Don’t ever use their online pharmacy”), grooming experiences that drove customers away, and a dog bath that cost $97.42. The profile is unclaimed, so Petco hasn’t replied to these reviews
Quick Highlights
✅ One of the largest pet retailers in the US
✅ Stores nationwide plus a large online shop
✅ Food, toys, beds, aquariums, fish, small animals and supplies
✅ Grooming services, with some groomers praised by name
✅ In-store vet clinics for routine pet care
✅ Online pharmacy for pet prescriptions
✅ Dog training classes
✅ Membership programs and Repeat Delivery for regular savings
✅ Friendly store staff noted even by unhappy customers
✅ Convenient one-stop shopping for pet owners
✅ Frequent promotions and sales
✅ Wide range of brands, from budget to premium
❌ Trustpilot TrustScore of 1.4/5 from 1,712 reviews, 84% one-star
❌ Sitewide sale promotions reportedly not applied as advertised
❌ Online pharmacy complaints
❌ Grooming experiences that drove some customers away
❌ Grooming and bath prices can be high (one bath cost $97.42)
❌ Service quality varies a lot between stores
❌ Unclaimed Trustpilot profile with no responses
Why Trust This Review
This review draws on Petco’s Trustpilot profile (1,712 reviews, 1.4 TrustScore) and Petco’s published services and product information. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Petco that affects this verdict
Full Review Breakdown
What Petco Offers
Petco covers almost every pet need. In stores and online, it sells dog and cat food (including premium and fresh options), treats, toys, beds, crates, leashes, aquariums and fish, reptile and small-animal supplies, and cleaning products. Services include grooming (baths, haircuts and nail trims), dog training classes and in-store vet clinics for vaccines and routine care. An online pharmacy fills prescriptions. Membership programs and Repeat Delivery offer discounts for regular buyers. For busy pet owners, getting food, a grooming appointment and vaccinations in one place is a real convenience, and that range is why Petco remains a go-to for millions of households.
Grooming: Great Groomers, Inconsistent Experiences
Grooming is where Petco’s experiences vary most. Some customers find a groomer they trust and stay loyal. One wrote, “Remi does a great job giving him his haircuts and nail cuts.” Others have bad experiences. A service dog owner said “I will NEVER use their services again!” and another customer felt a dog bath at $97.42 was too expensive, even though “The employees were very nice.” Because grooming depends heavily on the individual groomer and store, research your local salon: read local reviews, ask about the groomer’s experience with your breed, and start with a simple bath or nail trim before booking a full groom. Ask for prices upfront, since add-ons can raise the bill.
Online Shopping, Promotions and Pharmacy
Petco’s online store is convenient, but complaints focus on promotions and the pharmacy. One customer said “Petco advertised 20% off SITEWIDE,” but the discount didn’t apply as expected. Read the terms carefully, since exclusions are common. Another warned “Don’t ever use their online pharmacy.” Pet prescriptions involve vet authorization and timing, and delays can be stressful when a pet needs medication. If you use Petco’s pharmacy, order refills early, confirm your vet has approved the prescription, and keep a backup option such as your vet’s own pharmacy. For everyday supplies, Repeat Delivery can save money and trips.
In-Store Experience and Live Animals
Petco stores sell fish, small animals and reptiles, along with the tanks and habitats they need. Experiences vary: one customer who was ready to buy a new fish left frustrated. Live animals need careful care in store and at home, so ask staff about tank conditions, water quality and the animal’s health before buying, and research the species’ needs beforehand. Store staff are often described as friendly and helpful, but knowledge levels vary by location. For specialized needs, such as aquariums or reptiles, a dedicated specialist shop may offer deeper expertise.
Best Products Worth Buying
Baths, haircuts, nail trims and add-on treatments carried out in-store. Experiences depend heavily on the groomer, and some customers find a stylist they love, like the groomer praised by name for consistently great cuts and nail trims. Ask for a price estimate before booking, since add-ons can push costs up, and start with a simple service to judge the groomer. For dogs with anxiety, special handling needs or service-animal requirements, talk to the salon first. It’s a convenient option if your local Petco has a groomer you trust.
Set up automatic deliveries for food, litter, treats and other essentials, with discounts on repeat orders. It’s one of the easiest ways to save money and avoid running out of your pet’s food. Delivery schedules can be adjusted to how quickly you use products. Check which items qualify for discounts and read the promotion terms. It suits busy owners who buy the same food every month.
In-store vet clinics offer vaccines, wellness checks and routine care without a separate trip to a veterinary practice. They’re convenient for basic preventive care alongside your shopping. For complex medical issues, chronic conditions or emergencies, a full-service veterinary hospital is better.
Tanks, filters, heaters, habitats, bedding and food for fish, reptiles and small animals. The range lets you set up a full habitat in one trip. Research your animal’s needs first, ask staff about water conditions and animal health before buying, and consider specialist advice for complex setups.
What Customers Actually Think
“Remi does a great job giving him his haircuts and nail cuts” — Laura Daley, Trustpilot reviewer (grooming, 5 stars)
“The employees were very nice, but they charged me $97.42.” — Janet, Trustpilot reviewer (dog bath, 1 star)
“Petco advertised 20% off SITEWIDE.” — Nonya Bidness, Trustpilot reviewer (online sale, 1 star)
“Don’t ever use their online pharmacy.” — Swan Song, Trustpilot reviewer (online pharmacy, 1 star)
“I will NEVER use their services again!” — Kriss Royer, Trustpilot reviewer (grooming, service dog, 1 star)
Is It Worth It?
For convenience and range, yes. Petco covers supplies, grooming, vet care and pharmacy in one place. Service quality varies widely by store, though, and its Trustpilot score is very low. Research your local groomer, read promotion terms closely, order prescriptions early and ask for prices upfront.
Competitors Table
Feature | Petco | PetSmart | Chewy | Tractor Supply | Independent pet shops | Local vet clinics |
Physical stores | Nationwide | Nationwide | Online only | Nationwide (rural) | Local | Local |
Grooming | Yes | Yes | No | Limited | Some | No |
Vet care | In-store clinics | In-store clinics (Banfield) | Telehealth | Some clinics | No | Yes |
Online pharmacy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Rare | Yes |
Auto-delivery | Repeat Delivery | Autoship | Autoship | Some | Rare | Rare |
Trustpilot | 1.4 (1,712 reviews) | Mixed | Strong | Mixed | Varies | Varies |
FAQs
Is Petco good for grooming?
It depends on your local groomer. Some customers love theirs, while others report bad experiences
Does Petco have a pet pharmacy?
Yes. Petco has an online pharmacy, though some customers report problems. Order refills early.
Does Petco offer vet care?
Yes, through in-store vet clinics at many locations.
Does Petco have auto-delivery?
Yes, Repeat Delivery offers discounts on regular orders.
Why does Petco have bad reviews?
Complaints focus on promotions, pharmacy issues, grooming experiences and pricing.
Final Verdict
Petco offers unmatched convenience for pet owners: food, supplies, grooming, training, vet care and a pharmacy in one store or one website, with Repeat Delivery savings and plenty of friendly staff. When you find a great local groomer, it can become a trusted part of your pet’s routine.
A 1.4 Trustpilot score reflects real frustrations with promotions, pharmacy orders, grooming and pricing, and service varies a lot between stores. Choose your store and groomer carefully, read promotion terms, ask for prices upfront and plan prescriptions ahead.
Scorecard
Category | Score |
Product Range | 9.0/10 |
Convenience | 9.0/10 |
Grooming Consistency | 5.5/10 |
Pharmacy Experience | 5.0/10 |
Promotion Clarity | 5.0/10 |
Staff Friendliness | 7.5/10 |
Customer Service Response | 3.5/10 |
Value for Money | 6.5/10 |
Overall | 6.4/10 |