Chewy vs PetSmart vs
Walmart vs Costco
We compared all four major pet food retailers across price, selection, shipping, and loyalty programs. Here's who wins.
See Today's Prices →Overall Winner by Category
| Category | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Base Price | Costco | Walmart |
| Best Subscription Price | Chewy (Autoship) | PetSmart (Repeat Delivery) |
| Best Selection | Chewy | PetSmart |
| Best for Prescription Food | Chewy / PetSmart | — |
| Fastest Delivery | Chewy (1-2 days) | Walmart (same day+) |
| Best Return Policy | Chewy | Costco |
| Best Loyalty Program | PetSmart Treats | Chewy Autoship |
Chewy — The Online Pet Food Leader
What Makes Chewy Stand Out
- Selection: 2,000+ pet food SKUs — the largest online selection
- Autoship: 5% off first order, 5–10% off recurring orders; skip or cancel anytime
- Free shipping: On all orders $49+ (most pet food qualifies)
- Returns: Industry-leading 365-day return policy; often doesn't even require returning the product
- Pharmacy: Prescription food and medications available with vet script
- Customer service: 24/7 phone and chat, consistently rated #1 in pet retail
Chewy Drawbacks
- No physical stores (can't pick up same day)
- Pricing without Autoship can be higher than Costco
- Some brands exclusive to physical retail
PetSmart — Best for In-Store Experience
What Makes PetSmart Stand Out
- Treats loyalty program: Earn points on every purchase; $5 reward per 100 points
- Physical locations: 1,650+ stores in the US and Canada
- Vet clinics: Banfield Pet Hospital locations inside many stores
- Repeat Delivery: 5% off subscription orders, stacks with Treats rewards
- Same-day pickup: Available at most locations via app
PetSmart Drawbacks
- Retail prices are typically the highest of the four retailers
- Smaller online selection than Chewy
- Loyalty rewards take time to accumulate
Walmart — Best for Budget Brands
What Makes Walmart Stand Out
- Lowest prices on budget brands: Ol' Roy, Alpo, Friskies, Meow Mix
- Free shipping: On orders $35+ (or Walmart+)
- Same-day delivery: Available in most metro areas
- Rollback sales: Regular temporary price reductions on major brands
- No membership required
Walmart Drawbacks
- Limited premium brand selection online
- No prescription food
- No meaningful loyalty program for pet food
- In-store selection varies significantly by location
Costco — Best Price-Per-Pound
What Makes Costco Stand Out
- Lowest per-ounce price on large bags of Purina, Pedigree, and Kirkland brands
- Kirkland Signature pet food — made by Diamond Pet Foods, excellent value
- Return policy: 100% satisfaction guarantee, no time limit
- Instacart delivery available for same-day from Costco
Costco Drawbacks
- Membership required ($65/year for Gold Star)
- Limited brand selection — primarily major brands in large sizes only
- No prescription food, no specialty diets
- Must buy very large bags (30–50 lbs) to get best prices
- Online Costco.com selection is smaller than in-warehouse
For most pet owners, the winning combo is: Costco for large bags of mainstream brands (Purina, Pedigree, Kirkland) + Chewy Autoship for premium or specialty brands (Hill's, Royal Canin, prescription diets). This combination covers the best price for most situations.
Side-by-Side Policy Comparison
| Policy | Chewy | PetSmart | Walmart | Costco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Shipping Threshold | $49 | $49 | $35 | Members only |
| Return Window | 365 days | 60 days | 90 days | No limit |
| Subscription Discount | 5–10% | 5% | 5% (W+) | None |
| Rx Food Available | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Loyalty Program | Limited | Treats (strong) | None | None |
| Price Match | No | No | Yes (limited) | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chewy consistently earns top marks for delivery speed and reliability. Most standard orders ship in 1–2 business days. Autoship orders are very reliable — you'll get an email 3–5 days before shipping and can easily skip or change your order.
Yes at most retailers. Chewy's 365-day return policy covers opened food if your pet didn't like it — they often tell you to donate it to a local shelter and still issue the refund. PetSmart accepts returns of opened food within 60 days. Costco accepts returns with no time limit.
Chewy maintains strict quality controls and has a good reputation for freshness. If you ever receive expired product, Chewy's 24/7 customer service will replace it immediately. This is rare — their high volume means fast turnover.
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