Chewy vs PetSmart 2026: Online vs Retail Comparison

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.