Chewy vs. PetSmart 2024: Which Has Better Prices?

Chewy and PetSmart are top contenders for your pet's needs. As a pet owner, you aim to provide the best for your animal companions. The ease of having a go-to source for all your pet’s necessities, from food to toys to care products, is invaluable. You deserve a supplier that not only understands your pet's needs but also simplifies your shopping experience.

My analysis favors Chewy over PetSmart. I have meticulously compared the 2 giants, focusing on their product offerings, pricing, and customer service. Through this comparison, I aim to equip you with the necessary insights to make an informed decision for your pet supply needs.

Chewy is my top choice for pet supplies this year. It excels with its comprehensive product range and user-friendly shopping experience, making it a standout in the market. I'll detail why Chewy could be the best fit for you and your pet, providing quality and convenience in 1 place.

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Ingredient Quality: Chewy Offers More Premium Products

Chewy leads with a broader selection of premium products. When it comes to ingredient quality, both Chewy and PetSmart offer an impressive array of brands. Many of these brands overlap, ensuring that the basic quality of pet food they carry is similar.

Chewy has the upper hand due to its extensive range of high-end pet foods. For you, this means more choices and the ability to select the finest options for your pet's dietary needs.

I find Chewy's website to be really user-friendly. It allows you to filter pet food brands and products with precision, targeting specific ingredients and dietary requirements your pet may have. 

I like that you can find lots of raw, human-grade, organic, or gluten-free options. Chewy makes it easier for you to locate and select these products. This attention to the user experience reflects Chewy's commitment to catering to your pet's unique health and nutrition needs.

PetSmart offers convenience with its retail stores. If you prefer to shop in-person and discuss your pet's food requirements with knowledgeable staff, PetSmart gives you this option. Yet, when it comes to online shopping, it offers fewer specialty dietary options, which may limit you if your pet requires a more tailored diet.

Meals and Customization: Chewy Excels in Specialized Diet Options

Chewy leads with a much broader product range. I find that Chewy stands out due to its extensive variety of products. While both it and PetSmart offer a wide selection, Chewy surpasses that with more dietary options. It also has a much bigger range in certain categories. For example, there are over 3,000 results in the horse category.

Both retailers offer well-known brands. You'll find popular brands like Purina and Blue Buffalo at Chewy and PetSmart. However, Chewy expands its offerings with a wider range of specialized diets. This includes pea-free and vegan options, which PetSmart lacks.

Chewy excels in specialized diet options. It caters to more specific dietary needs with its filters for special diet, life stage, and health condition. PetSmart, while it does offer a selection of grain-free and organic foods, doesn't have as extensive a range as Chewy.

In-person shopping can limit PetSmart’s variety. If you choose to shop at PetSmart stores, you are restricted to what is available locally. In contrast, Chewy’s online platform offers access to its full catalog, making it easier for you to find exactly what you need.

Chewy provides additional expert services. It offers a Connect With a Vet service that can be a significant advantage if you seek professional advice. While both have vet-approved options, Chewy goes further with its health condition-specific filtering.

Ordering and Delivery: PetSmart Delivers to More Regions

PetSmart wins for its broader delivery options. It takes the lead with same-day delivery, a more extensive delivery area, and an in-store pickup choice. Chewy's delivery is limited to the contiguous US and typically arrives within 1 to 3 days, using carriers like FedEx.

Both companies support recurring orders. I appreciate the flexibility in managing the auto-shipment delivery schedule on both sites, with options to skip or cancel. It's important to note that this feature isn't available for all items, so it's crucial to verify availability.

Ordering is straightforward for both. During checkout, you decide on your delivery method and whether to set up auto-shipments. These automatic deliveries can be scheduled from every 2 weeks up to 9 months, offering significant flexibility.

Auto-shipment comes with discounts. You get 35% off your initial order and 5% off subsequent ones at both Chewy and PetSmart. This discount structure is an appealing aspect of the auto-shipment program.

Chewy has a narrower delivery scope. Only delivering within the continental US, Chewy falls behind PetSmart, which reaches all 50 states and some territories. There’s even a dedicated Canadian site for PetSmart. Both offer free shipping on orders over $49, which usually takes 2 to 3 days.

Shipping fees vary for orders under $49. Chewy charges a flat rate of $4.95 for smaller orders, while PetSmart's fees are location-dependent and can rise significantly for next-day delivery.

Delivery days are the same for both. They both deliver 7 days a week, but PetSmart requires orders to be placed before 12 pm for next-day delivery, a detail to keep in mind for urgent needs.

How Do the Meals Arrive? Both Services Offer Similar Packaging

Packaging is standard across both companies, making this round a tie. Chewy and PetSmart use cardboard boxes for regular orders, with added padding when needed. For items requiring refrigeration, insulated boxes with dry ice are used.

Chewy’s boxes are fully recyclable. While all of Chewy's boxes can be recycled, some of the internal packaging materials may need to be taken to specialized recycling centers. I do really like Chewy’s creative ideas of what to make from your delivery boxes.

PetSmart also offers an in-store pickup option. Choosing to pick up your order at a PetSmart store can reduce the amount of packaging you have to deal with.

It’s worth remembering that packaging varies with different brands. Since Chewy and PetSmart are marketplaces, the product packaging will differ based on the brand you purchase from.

Pricing: Both Offer Similar Value

Pricing is a draw between Chewy and PetSmart. The cost of items on both sites is remarkably similar, with many products matching in price or having a negligible difference of 1 cent. Don’t forget to use our coupon code for extra savings on Chewy: Save 35% On Your First Order.

Let’s take a dog food price to illustrate the tie. At the time of writing, a 30lb bag of Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Dog Food is priced at $71.98 on both sites, exemplifying the close pricing battle.

You need to look closely to find items that have any significant price difference. For example, I noticed the Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Poultry & Beef Feast Variety Pack (30 cans) is $25.74 on Chewy and $26.24 on PetSmart. While Chewy sometimes offers a slightly better price, both retailers generally maintain comparable pricing.

I suggest comparing frequently bought items. By reviewing prices for regularly purchased products on both sites, you can determine where the best value lies. Keep in mind that PetSmart will price-match. Should you find a lower price elsewhere, PetSmart will match it.

Autoship discounts are available from both. The autoship option provides a 35% discount on initial orders and 5% off future ones, with Chewy also offering free shipping on orders over $49 and a flat rate for smaller orders.

Chewy vs. PetSmart – Quick Overview

And the Winner Is: Chewy

Variety is Chewy's strong suit, making it my overall winner of Chewy vs. PetSmart. It offers a wider range of products and specialized diets. Whether you're looking for grain-free options or tailor-made meals for sensitive stomachs, Chewy is likely to have more choices. This extensive selection makes it the go-to for pet parents with specific needs.

Niche diets are also better represented on Chewy. For pets with unique dietary requirements, Chewy provides a broader array of options. Its filter tools help in quickly finding the right food, whether your furry friend needs low-protein meals or grain-free options, making it the winner for comprehensive dietary selections.

Chewy and PetSmart are evenly matched in pricing. For pet owners, finding the right price for quality products is a top priority, and both Chewy and PetSmart offer comparable pricing structures. They both extend similar discounts and deals, ensuring pet owners receive good value regardless of which company they choose to shop with.

PetSmart, however, excels in accessibility. If you're the type who prefers browsing aisles for your pet's needs, PetSmart's physical presence is a big plus. Moreover, for those living in places like Alaska or the US territories, PetSmart's expansive delivery reach makes it a more suitable option.

It was a close call in some aspects. Despite Chewy's victory in numerous categories, PetSmart holds its own with its unique advantages such as same-day delivery and in-store shopping experiences. For more dog food options, you can also check out our list of the best fresh dog food delivery services.

FAQ

Is PetSmart the same as Chewy? 

PetSmart and Chewy are no longer affiliated companies. Although PetSmart purchased Chewy in 2017, it divested the shares, and since 2020, Chewy has been operating independently. While both offer pet products and services, they’re separate businesses with their own operations, customer service, and management.

Is Chewy cheaper than PetSmart? 

Chewy and PetSmart often have similar pricing. However, I've found that Chewy can occasionally offer lower prices, especially during sales. It's worth comparing prices for specific items you're interested in, as some may be cheaper on one site over the other due to promotions or exclusive discounts.

Is Chewy healthier than PetSmart?

Neither Chewy nor PetSmart is inherently healthier. Both retailers offer a range of products from various brands, including health-conscious options. The healthiness of a product depends on its ingredient quality and your pet’s specific needs, so it's crucial to review product details and consult with a veterinarian for the best dietary advice for your pet.