The Short Answer
Chewy is cheaper on most dog food, treats, and supplies for everyday orders, especially with auto-ship. Petco is occasionally cheaper on in-store sales and on their Vital Care membership perks. For online orders, Chewy wins 70% of direct price comparisons.
Price Comparison Across 20 Common Products
We spot-checked prices on the same day across 20 commonly-bought dog products (bagged kibble, treats, toys, beds, harnesses, supplements, litter, flea/tick).
- Chewy was cheaper on 14 out of 20.
- Petco was cheaper on 4.
- Same price on 2.
The biggest Chewy advantages were on subscription food (auto-ship 5 to 10% savings), premium kibble, and supplements. Petco's wins came on their house brand products and in-store-only promotions.
Auto-Ship: Chewy's Real Edge
Chewy's Auto-Ship saves 5 to 10% on recurring orders (higher on first order) and ships free on orders over $49. For households that order food, treats, and supplies regularly, this compounds to meaningful savings over a year.
Petco's equivalent (Repeat Delivery) saves 5% but has a narrower selection.
Over a year of average dog supply spending, auto-ship savings alone can cover a month of quality kibble.
Where Petco Wins
- In-store pickup. Same-day, no shipping costs, for emergencies.
- Vital Care membership. $19/month for grooming discounts, free rabies/DHPP vaccines, and 5% off food. Worth it if you use grooming regularly.
- Pet health services. In-store vet clinics, grooming, training. Bundled into one account.
- House-brand kibble. Reasonably priced and slightly cheaper than Chewy's equivalents.
Where Chewy Wins
- Online price. 70% of direct comparisons.
- Auto-ship savings. Bigger and more reliable than Petco's.
- Selection. Much broader catalog, especially for specialty food (fresh, raw, novel protein).
- Customer service. Industry reputation for handwritten notes, fast returns, and pet sympathy cards.
- Shipping speed. Usually 1 to 3 days free on $49+.
Setting up your first auto-ship?
Chewy's first auto-ship is usually 30% off. After that, recurring orders save 5 to 10% automatically and ship free over $49.
See Chewy Auto-ShipThe Honest Hybrid Strategy
Use Chewy for routine food, treats, and supplies via auto-ship. Use Petco for grooming services, same-day pickups, and Vital Care perks if you already use their grooming. Don't try to consolidate to one retailer. You'll leave money on the table.
What About Amazon?
Amazon is cheaper than both on some specific products, but quality control on third-party sellers has been inconsistent for pet products. For food specifically, many pet parents have had issues with expired or improperly-stored inventory. We avoid Amazon for pet food.