Chewy vs PetSmart 2026: Online vs Retail Comparison
PetSmart
Specialized pet retailer with grooming, training, vet services, and 1,460+ physical stores.
Pet owners needing grooming, training, veterinary services, and immediate product access
Quick Answer
AI SummaryChewy is an online-first pet retailer specializing in auto-ship convenience and dietary variety, while PetSmart operates primarily through physical stores with online ordering options. Chewy leads in pricing consistency and product selection, while PetSmart offers in-store services like grooming and veterinary care.
Read full verdictChewy excels for price-conscious pet owners seeking convenience and dietary variety through reliable auto-ship service, with 2026 projections showing $13.60-13.75B in sales. PetSmart remains superior for customers requiring immediate access, grooming services, and veterinary care, plus meaningful community charitable initiatives. Choose Chewy for online convenience or PetSmart for comprehensive in-store pet services.
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TIE — neck and neck
Choose Chewy if
Busy pet owners seeking affordable recurring deliveries with specialized diet options
Choose PetSmart if
Pet owners needing grooming, training, veterinary services, and immediate product access
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Primary Business Model:✓ Chewy wins(Online-first with auto-ship focus vs Physical stores with online options)
- Dietary Product Options:✓ Chewy wins(Extensive specialized diets vs Standard selection)
- In-Store Services:✓ PetSmart wins(Grooming, training, veterinary care vs None)
Key Facts & Figures
60 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Chewy | PetSmart | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue (2025)(Billion USD) | $12.6B | — | — |
| YoY Revenue Growth (2025)(Percent) | 8.3% | — | — |
| Gross Margin Trend (Q4 2025)(Basis Points) | Up 90bps YoY | — | — |
| Free Shipping Minimum(USD) | $49 | — | — |
| Standard Non-Perishable Pet Delivery Time(days) | 1-3 days | — | — |
| Pet-Specific Product SKU Count(SKUs) | ~1,500,000 | — | — |
| 2025 Pet Supplies Market Position (GMV Rank)(rank) | #1 online pet retailer | — | — |
| Return Window (Standard Pet Supplies)(days) | 30 days (unless otherwise stated) | — | — |
| Autoship Subscription Discount(%) | Up to 35% | — | — |
| Product Catalog Size(items) | ~100,000 | — | — |
| Physical Store Locations(count) | 0 (online-only) | — | — |
| Standard Shipping Threshold(USD) | $35 for free shipping | — | — |
| Average Shipping Time(days) | 1-2 days standard | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(billion USD) | $8.9B | — | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(stars) | 4.6/5 (Trustpilot) | — | — |
| Standard Delivery Time(days) | 1-2 days (Chewy Plus) | — | — |
| Total Pet Product Selection(products) | 50,000+ SKUs | — | — |
| Price Comparison Index(percent difference) | +7% vs Walmart average | — | — |
| Auto-Ship Discount Maximum(percent off) | Up to 35% Auto-Ship | — | — |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $120 for Chewy Plus | — | — |
| Return Window(days) | 30 days | — | — |
| Total Retail Categories(major categories) | 1 (pets only) | — | — |
| Total Product SKUs(millions) | 100,000+ | — | — |
| Pet Category Market Share (U.S. Online)(%) | 24% | — | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Cities(cities) | 5,600+ cities (free same-day) | — | — |
| Free Shipping Threshold(USD) | $49 | — | — |
| Auto-Delivery Maximum Discount(%) | 35% | — | — |
| Customer Service Response Time(hours) | 2-4 hours average | — | — |
| Prime/Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $120 (Chewy Plus) or free | — | — |
| Total Product SKUs (Pet Category)(SKUs) | 100,000+ pet products | — | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billions) | $9.8 billion (2024) | — | — |
| Prime/+ Membership Cost(USD per year) | Free (no membership required) | — | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(percent) | 97% (2024 survey) | — | — |
| Market Share (US Pet E-commerce)(percent) | 28% (pure-play pet retail) | — | — |
| Average Delivery Time (Pet Products)(days) | 1-2 days | — | — |
| Pet Product Selection (SKUs)(number of products) | 65,000+ | — | — |
| Autoship/Subscribe & Save Discount(percent) | Up to 35% | — | — |
| Customer Satisfaction for Pet Products(percent satisfied) | 94% | — | — |
| Product Categories Available(count) | Pet supplies only (1 category) | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $9.8 billion | — | — |
| Total Product Selection(number of SKUs) | ~15,000 in-store | ~15,000 in-store | |
| Average Price Markup vs Wholesale(%) | 40-50% markup | 40-50% markup | |
| Standard Shipping Delivery Time(business days) | 5-7 days (non-Prime equivalent) | 5-7 days (non-Prime equivalent) | |
| Grooming Service Availability(locations) | 1,400+ locations with grooming | 1,400+ locations with grooming | |
| Subscribe & Save Discount(%) | 0% (no subscription program) | 0% (no subscription program) | |
| Physical Store Locations (US)(locations) | 1,400+ stores | 1,400+ stores | |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(items) | ~15,000 | ~15,000 | |
| Average Price on Popular Items(% difference) | Baseline (reference price) | Baseline (reference price) | |
| Grooming Service Locations(locations) | 1,400+ locations with grooming | 1,400+ locations with grooming | |
| Prime/Loyalty Cost (Annual)(USD) | Free (PetSmart Treats rewards) | Free (PetSmart Treats rewards) | |
| Standard Shipping Cost(USD) | $5.95+ per order | $5.95+ per order | |
| Fastest Delivery Option(hours) | Same-day in-store pickup | Same-day in-store pickup | |
| Loyalty Program Reward Rate(% cash back) | 5% back on purchases | 5% back on purchases | |
| Specialty Services Offered(count) | Grooming, Training, Vet clinics | Grooming, Training, Vet clinics | |
| Average Pet Food Price (25 lb bag, premium brand)(USD) | $65-75 | $65-75 | |
| Physical Store Locations (US)(stores) | 1,460 | 1,460 | |
| Standard Shipping Time(days) | Same-day (in-store pickup) | Same-day (in-store pickup) | |
| Veterinary Service Locations(clinics) | 800+ Banfield clinics | 800+ Banfield clinics | |
| Customer Review Average (Pet Products)(stars) | 4.0 | 4.0 | |
| Prime/Loyalty Membership Cost(USD/year) | PetSmart Treats free | PetSmart Treats free |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
8 attributes compared head-to-head
- Online-first with auto-ship focus(winner)Primary Business ModelPhysical stores with online options
- Extensive specialized diets(winner)Dietary Product OptionsStandard selection
- NoneIn-Store ServicesGrooming, training, veterinary care(winner)
- Consistent online pricing(winner)Pricing StrategySeasonal in-store promotions
- Recurring auto-deliveryConvenience FactorImmediate in-store pickup
- $13.60-$13.75B(winner)2026 Projected SalesUndisclosed
- Pure-play e-commerceMarket PositionOmnichannel retail
- Focused on e-commerce growthCommunity Impact$100M+ charitable veterinary programs(winner)
- Primary Business Model
Chewy
Online-first with auto-ship focus(winner)
PetSmart
Physical stores with online options
- Dietary Product Options
Chewy
Extensive specialized diets(winner)
PetSmart
Standard selection
- In-Store Services
Chewy
None
PetSmart
Grooming, training, veterinary care(winner)
- Pricing Strategy
Chewy
Consistent online pricing(winner)
PetSmart
Seasonal in-store promotions
- Convenience Factor
Chewy
Recurring auto-delivery
PetSmart
Immediate in-store pickup
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Chewy | PetSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue (2025)(Billion USD) | $12.6B | — |
| Market Capitalization(trillions USD) | $11.3B | — |
| YoY Revenue Growth (2025)(Percent) | 8.3% | — |
| Gross Margin Trend (Q4 2025)(Basis Points) | Up 90bps YoY | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billions) | $9.8 billion (2024) | — |
Show 2 more attributesTrailing Twelve-Month Revenue(USD Billions) $6.5B — Q4 FY2026 Revenue(USD Billions) $1.65B — | ||
| Subscription/Membership Base(Millions) | Autoship subscribers (undisclosed estimate: 5-10M) | — |
| Product Category Focus | Pet supplies only (specialized) | — |
| Specialty Pet Food Availability (Exotic/Medical Diets)(inventory depth) | Extensive specialized inventory | — |
| Autoship/Subscription Discount Range(Percent) | Up to 35% on recurring orders | — |
| Geographic Coverage(states) | Primarily US + select markets (estimated 5-10) | — |
| 2026 Projected Annual Sales(Billion USD) | $13.60-$13.75B | Undisclosed |
| Stock Price (April 2026)(USD) | $27.04 | Private (BC Partners) |
| Market Cap(Billion USD) | $11.3B | Private equity owned |
| Primary Shopping Channel | Online/Auto-ship | Physical stores + Online |
| In-Store Services Availability(Services) | None | Grooming, Training, Vet Care(winner) |
| Dietary Product Variety(Rating) | Extensive specialized options | Standard selection |
| Price Consistency Year-Round(Rating) | Highly consistent(winner) | Variable with promotions |
| Autoship Subscription Discount(%) | Up to 35% | — |
| Standard Shipping Threshold(USD) | $35 for free shipping | — |
| Price Comparison Index(percent difference) | +7% vs Walmart average | — |
| Auto-Ship Discount Maximum(percent off) | Up to 35% Auto-Ship | — |
Show 11 more attributesAnnual Membership Cost(USD) $120 for Chewy Plus — Free Shipping Threshold(USD) $49 — Auto-Delivery Maximum Discount(%) 35% — Prime/Membership Annual Cost(USD) $120 (Chewy Plus) or free — Prime/+ Membership Cost(USD per year) Free (no membership required) — Free Shipping Requirement(USD or condition) Free on all orders — Autoship/Subscribe & Save Discount(percent) Up to 35% — Average Price Markup vs Wholesale(%) 40-50% markup — Average Price on Popular Items(% difference) Baseline (reference price) — Average Pet Food Price (25 lb bag, premium brand)(USD) $65-75 — Prime/Loyalty Membership Cost(USD/year) PetSmart Treats free — | ||
| Charitable Commitment(Million USD (3-year commitment)) | Not publicly disclosed | $100+ million |
| Free Shipping Minimum(USD) | $49 | — |
| Standard Non-Perishable Pet Delivery Time(days) | 1-3 days | — |
| Pet-Specific Product SKU Count(SKUs) | ~1,500,000 | — |
| Total Product Categories(categories) | Pet supplies only | — |
| Total Product SKUs (Pet Category)(SKUs) | 100,000+ pet products | — |
| 2025 Pet Supplies Market Position (GMV Rank)(rank) | #1 online pet retailer | — |
| Return Window (Standard Pet Supplies)(days) | 30 days (unless otherwise stated) | — |
| Autoship Subscription Discounts(percent) | Yes, available on recurring purchases | — |
| Product Catalog Size(items) | ~100,000 | — |
| Total Pet Product Selection(products) | 50,000+ SKUs | — |
| Total Retail Categories(major categories) | 1 (pets only) | — |
| Total Product SKUs(millions) | 100,000+ | — |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(items) | ~15,000 | — |
| Physical Store Locations(count) | 0 (online-only) | — |
| Average Shipping Time(days) | 1-2 days standard | — |
| In-Store Grooming Available | No | — |
| Pharmacy Services | Full pet pharmacy with Rx delivery | — |
| Grooming Service Availability(locations) | 1,400+ locations with grooming | — |
| Prescription Pharmacy Services(availability) | Full in-store pharmacy with Rx processing | — |
| Training Classes Availability(program status) | Available at select locations | — |
Show 4 more attributesGrooming Service Locations(locations) 1,400+ locations with grooming — Specialty Services Offered(count) Grooming, Training, Vet clinics — Grooming Service Availability(locations) 1,300+ grooming salons — Veterinary Service Locations(clinics) 800+ Banfield clinics — | ||
| Annual Revenue (2024)(billion USD) | $8.9B | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $9.8 billion | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(stars) | 4.6/5 (Trustpilot) | — |
| Standard Delivery Time(days) | 1-2 days (Chewy Plus) | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Cities(cities) | 5,600+ cities (free same-day) | — |
| Average Delivery Time (Pet Products)(days) | 1-2 days | — |
| Return Window(days) | 30 days | — |
| Pet Category Market Share (U.S. Online)(%) | 24% | — |
| Customer Service Response Time(hours) | 2-4 hours average | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(percent) | 97% (2024 survey) | — |
| Customer Satisfaction for Pet Products(percent satisfied) | 94% | — |
| Market Share (US Pet E-commerce)(percent) | 28% (pure-play pet retail) | — |
| Pet Product Selection (SKUs)(number of products) | 65,000+ | — |
| Customer Service Availability(hours per week) | 24/7 (pet specialists) | — |
| Product Categories Available(count) | Pet supplies only (1 category) | — |
| Store Locations(number) | 1,400+ | — |
| In-Store Grooming Availability(percentage) | 85% | — |
| Veterinary Clinic Partnerships(network name) | Banfield Pet Hospital | — |
| Private Label Product Lines(count) | 7 | — |
| Total Product Selection(number of SKUs) | ~15,000 in-store | — |
| Standard Shipping Delivery Time(business days) | 5-7 days (non-Prime equivalent) | — |
| Fastest Delivery Option(hours) | Same-day in-store pickup | — |
| Standard Shipping Time(days) | Same-day (in-store pickup) | — |
| Subscribe & Save Discount(%) | 0% (no subscription program) | — |
| Physical Store Locations (US)(locations) | 1,400+ stores | — |
| Prime/Loyalty Cost (Annual)(USD) | Free (PetSmart Treats rewards) | — |
| Standard Shipping Cost(USD) | $5.95+ per order | — |
| Loyalty Program Reward Rate(% cash back) | 5% back on purchases | — |
| Physical Store Locations (US)(stores) | 1,460 | — |
| Customer Review Average (Pet Products)(stars) | 4.0 | — |
PetSmartShow 2 more attributes
Show 11 more attributes
Show 4 more attributes
Pros & Cons
12 pros·8 cons across both
Chewy
Pros
Cons
PetSmart
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions
Yes — Chewy is generally 5-15% cheaper than PetSmart on the same products, and Chewy's Auto-Ship adds another 5-35% discount on top. Chewy's pharmacy is also consistently 20-40% cheaper than vet-office prescription prices. The price gap is most pronounced on prescription medications, specialty foods, and bulk supplies.
Chewy's standard free shipping (orders $49+) is 1-2 business days. For same-day, Chewy partners with Instacart in many markets for same-day delivery of in-stock products at an added fee. PetSmart has a stronger same-day network — buy-online-pickup-in-store is available at all 1,650+ locations, and PetSmart's Instacart partnership also offers same-day.
Yes — Chewy Pharmacy fills written veterinary prescriptions for most pet medications including flea/tick prevention, heartworm, antibiotics, pain medications, and specialty compounded drugs. Your vet sends or faxes the prescription to Chewy. Chewy pharmacy prices are typically 20-40% lower than purchasing the same medication at your vet's office.
Expert Analysis: Chewy vs PetSmart
Chewy and PetSmart are the two dominant pet retail brands in the United States — Chewy as the leading online-only pet retailer, PetSmart as the largest brick-and-mortar pet specialty chain. For the approximately 67% of US households that own at least one pet, choosing between them (or combining both) is a practical question about price, convenience, product selection, and services. Notably, PetSmart and Chewy are linked: PetSmart owned Chewy from 2017 to 2019 before spinning it off as a public company; they now operate as entirely independent competitors.
Chewy: Chewy launched in 2011 and was acquired by PetSmart for $3.35 billion (then a record for an e-commerce acquisition) before being spun out and listed on NYSE in 2019. With approximately $11.8 billion in 2026 annual revenue, Chewy has established the most loyal customer base in pet e-commerce. Chewy's Autoship subscription program — delivering pet food, medication, and supplies on a customizable recurring schedule at a 30-35% discount — drives approximately 78% of net sales, creating extraordinary customer retention. Chewy's catalog spans 3,500+ brands and 110,000+ products, with particular strength in prescription pet medications (Chewy Pharmacy) and veterinary diet foods that require prescription authorization. Chewy Connect With a Vet (telehealth) allows 24/7 live video consultations with licensed veterinarians for a monthly fee. Chewy's customer service reputation is exceptional — including personalized handwritten notes, sympathy flowers when a pet dies, and phone reps empowered to resolve issues with full refund/replacement authority. Free 1-2 day shipping on orders $49+, with same-day delivery via Chewy Fresh expanding to major metro areas.
PetSmart: With approximately 1,650 stores in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, PetSmart's physical footprint is its defining advantage. PetSmart in-store services — PetSmart Grooming, PetSmart Training (dog obedience classes), Banfield Pet Hospital (veterinary care co-located in stores), and PetSmart PetsHotel (boarding and day camp) — cannot be replicated online. For pet owners who need immediate supplies (sudden illness, emergency food), physical store access is essential. PetSmart's Treats loyalty program delivers 8 points per dollar with tier upgrades and personalized offers. PetSmart carries live animals — fish, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and cats through PetSmart Charities adoption events — an inventory category Chewy cannot offer. PetSmart's online store competes on price, but shipping speeds and subscription options are generally inferior to Chewy. PetSmart's 2026 revenue is estimated at approximately $7-8 billion.
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The 2026 recommendation: Chewy wins for routine pet supply purchasing — food, medications, treats, accessories — where Autoship discounts, broader selection, and superior customer service make it the better value. PetSmart wins for in-person services (grooming, training, veterinary care at Banfield), live animal purchases, and emergency same-day supply needs where physical stores are irreplaceable. Most committed pet owners use both: Chewy for scheduled consumables, PetSmart for services and urgent purchases.
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