Chewy vs. PetSmart 2023: Which Store Offers Better Prices? 

Every pet owner wants their pet to have the best food, toys, and care available – and there’s nothing better than being able to get everything you need for them in one place. 

PetSmart and Chewy are two of the best pet-supply stores in the US, and here, I’ll be finding out which one has the edge. 

A while back, PetSmart acquired Chewy in what was one of the largest e-commerce deals ever at the time. But since then, the companies have parted ways and now the competition between them is fierce. 

When it comes to comparing Chewy and PetSmart, there are more similarities than differences. At the end of the day though, Chewy has PetSmart beat on price and several other aspects, too. Read on to find out more! 

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Ingredient Quality

Winner: Chewy

Both of these companies are giants in the pet supply industry, and the vast number of brands they stock – many of which are the same – means the quality of the food they offer is almost identical. However, Chewy has clawed out a win here because it also stocks human-grade pet foods, unlike PetSmart. 

Chewy has an easy-to-use website that can help you narrow down pet food brands and products based on specific ingredients and dietary requirements, including Raw, Human-Grade, Organic, and Gluten-Free. 

The PetSmart website is similar, but a bit trickier to navigate. You can sort by brand or diet, but the nutritional options are more limited. Of course, you can also go into a PetSmart retail store and talk to an employee about your options. 

Meals and Customization

Winner: Chewy 

Chewy is the clear winner for me here, based on its sheer variety of products. Both companies have thousands of products to choose from, but Chewy has the edge thanks to its larger number of diets, and the fact that it caters to more animals than PetSmart. 

Chewy offers meals for cats, dogs, small pets, and fish, as well as larger farm animals. PetSmart only stocks supplies for cats, dogs, fish, and small pets such as ferrets and reptiles. Both companies stock popular brands like Purina, Blue Buffalo, and Royal Canin. 

PetSmart has fewer options for specialized diets than Chewy, however, offering grain-free, gluten-free, organic, non-GMO, high-protein, vegetarian, and the ever-so-slightly vague “natural” meals. 

Chewy, on the other hand, covers all these diets and more, including pea-free, rawhide-free, flax-free, vegan, low-protein, and chicken-free, among others. 

These categories are pretty consistent across pet types, food, and treats. Obviously, if you prefer to shop in-person at a PetSmart store, you’ll be more limited by your local store’s offerings. 

Both companies have vet-approved dietary lines, but Chewy also offers its Connect With a Vet service, which can quickly put you in touch with an expert for professional advice on everything from nutrition to behavioral questions and illness. 

Ordering and Delivery

Winner: PetSmart

PetSmart has earned its first win with this category, with same-day delivery, a wider delivery area, and the option for in-store pickup. 

The ordering process for both companies is pretty straightforward. At check-out, you’ll get to choose your delivery option, and whether or not you want to set-up autoshipments. 

Auto-shipment has several options in terms of frequency, ranging from every two, three, or four weeks to every two, three, four, six, or nine months. 

Both companies also offer a discount on auto-shipment orders. At both stores, you’ll get 35% off your first order, and 5% off all subsequent orders.

Chewy currently delivers only to the continental US, while PetSmart delivers to all 50 states, including Alaska, Hawaii, and some US territories. For both companies, you’ll get free standard shipping (around two to three days) on orders over $49. 

For orders less than $49, Chewy has a flat-rate shipping fee of $4.95. PetSmart’s delivery costs will vary based on location, order size, and shipping speed. They can go up to $35 for guaranteed next-day delivery though. 

Delivery for both companies is available seven days a week, though PetSmart specifies that for next-day delivery you’ll have to order before 12 pm. 

How Do the Meals Arrive?

Winner: It’s a tie

The packaging for both Chewy and PetSmart is pretty standard for big companies like these. For regular orders, they’ll be packed in a cardboard box, with extra padding if necessary. For refrigerated orders, you’ll receive them in an insulated box packed with dry ice. 

The boxes from Chewy are 100% recyclable, although some interior packaging, including foam or bubble wrap, may have to be taken to a recycling center depending on your location. With PetSmart, you have the option to pick up your order in-store, which means less packaging for you to dispose of. 

Since both companies act as marketplaces rather than selling their own-brand products, the packaging will vary based on what you end up purchasing. 

Pricing

Winner: Chewy

Pricing is probably the most important factor when it comes to deciding between two companies that are so similar. And there’s no question about it, Chewy has PetSmart beat. 

To accurately compare prices between two companies with thousands of products, I decided to compare how they priced the same product across a few different categories. 

For example, dog food. A popular and highly rated dog food on both sites is the Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Dog Food – Salmon & Rice. At the time of writing, a 30lb bag from PetSmart will cost you $60.99, but from Chewy it will cost you $58.98. 

For a list of example comparisons, take a look at the table below. 

Occasionally, you’ll be able to find a better deal at PetSmart, but generally speaking, you’ll find cheaper options for the same products at Chewy. 

PetSmart does have a price-match guarantee, but you’ll have to bring proof of a lower price elsewhere. PetSmart will then match the price. 

Features Comparison: Chewy vs. PetSmart 

And The Winner Is: Chewy!

When you have a pet, you want the best for them – but you also want to get good value for your money. 

When it comes to comparing Chewy and PetSmart, Chewy is the clear winner on price, variety, and niche diets. 

However, if you like having the option to shop in-store, or you require delivery to areas such as Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands, then PetSmart could be the best option for you. 

FAQ

Are Chewy and PetSmart the same company? 

In 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy for more than $3 billion. At the time it was one of the largest mergers in the pet supply industry. However, three years later in 2020, PetSmart sold its controlling stake in Chewy and the two companies split again. 

Now, the two companies are separate, but they do have similarities simply because they compete for the same customers. 

Is Chewy cheaper than PetSmart? 

Chewy and PetSmart are both known for their great offers and deals. However, I found that Chewy’s prices are slightly lower than those from PetSmart on average. 

Since both companies have such a large variety of products, prices are hard to compare, and just because Chewy has lower prices on average, doesn’t mean you won’t find a good deal on a product from PetSmart. 

Is Chewy healthier than PetSmart? 

Chewy isn’t necessarily healthier than PetSmart, but it does have more products and covers more specialized diets than PetSmart. What’s considered “healthy” is going to vary widely depending on the needs of your pet, which is why having so many options is an advantage. However, PetSmart still has quite a few options and caters to the diets of many pets very well.