Pet Store | Complete US Guide and 10 Best Options for 2026

Finding the right pet store can save you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary shopping around. A good store should carry the food and supplies your pet needs, but many retailers now offer much more. Depending on where you shop, you may also find grooming, training, veterinary services, adoption programs, delivery, daycare, and boarding.

The U.S. market gives pet owners plenty of choices. PetSmart and Petco operate large retail networks, while Chewy focuses on online shopping and home delivery. Regional retailers such as Hollywood Feed, Mud Bay, and Pet Food Express take a more specialized approach. Stores such as Tractor Supply also serve owners who care for birds, reptiles, fish, small animals, and other species.

U.S. Pet Store Market at a Glance

The wider U.S. pet industry will generate an estimated $165 billion in sales in 2026, according to the American Pet Products Association. APPA’s projection includes $69.7 billion for pet food and treats, $35.6 billion for supplies, live animals, and over-the-counter medicine, $42.4 billion for veterinary care and product sales, and $14.9 billion for other pet services.

The Census Bureau uses NAICS 453910 for traditional businesses that retail pets, pet food, and pet supplies. Its 2023 data counted 9,921 employer establishments in that industry. The classification does not capture the entire modern pet-shopping market because online retail, veterinary care, grooming, and boarding fall into separate industry categories.

That difference helps explain why the number of traditional pet stores does not tell the whole story. Millions of pet owners now split their purchases between physical stores, specialty retailers, and online businesses.

10 Best Pet Stores in the USA

There is no official government list that ranks the country’s best pet retailers. Instead, this guide looks at what each retailer does well, where it operates, the products it carries, and the services it offers.

1. PetSmart

PetSmart makes a strong choice when you want to handle several pet-care jobs in one place. Its stores carry everyday products such as food, treats, toys, grooming supplies, habitats, and accessories.

The company also offers services at selected locations. Depending on the store, you may find grooming, training, veterinary care, daycare, or overnight boarding through PetsHotel. Because each location has its own service lineup, check the store before you book an appointment or make a special trip.

PetSmart suits households that want a familiar national retailer with both products and services.

2. Petco

Petco takes a similar one-stop approach but places a strong emphasis on wellness and services. Its current offerings can include grooming, training, veterinary services, pharmacy services, vaccinations, insurance, adoption programs, and self-service dog washing. Not every store offers every service.

Petco says its network includes more than 1,500 stores across the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The company also says its certified Pet Stylists complete an 800-hour, 20-week certification program.

If you want to combine regular shopping with grooming or wellness services, Petco deserves a place near the top of your list.

3. Chewy

Chewy approaches pet shopping from a different angle. Instead of visiting a store, customers can order food, treats, litter, toys, supplies, medications, and other products online and have them delivered.

The format works especially well for repeat purchases. A household that buys the same food every few weeks can use Autoship rather than placing the same order manually each time.

Chewy also operates an online pharmacy. The company says its pharmacy carries more than 1,000 prescription medications and offers delivery for eligible products, including Autoship options.

The main tradeoff is simple: online shopping offers convenience, but it cannot give you the immediate access of a nearby physical store.

4. Pet Supplies Plus

Pet Supplies Plus focuses on the products most pet owners buy regularly. Its stores carry food, treats, toys, litter, and everyday accessories.

Services depend on the individual store. Some locations offer self-service dog washing, local delivery, Autoship, and other conveniences. The Tulsa location cited in the original research, for example, lists self-service dog washing, local delivery, and Autoship.

That local-store approach makes Pet Supplies Plus useful for routine shopping when you want a physical pet retailer close to home.

5. Hollywood Feed

Hollywood Feed has built its retail offering around dogs and cats, with a strong focus on food, treats, and wellness products.

The company says employees receive more than 40 hours of annual training through Hollywood Feed University, including education in nutrition, health, and wellness. Hollywood Feed also offers a price-match guarantee and AutoShip on eligible food and treat purchases.

For owners who spend a lot of time comparing pet-food formulas and ingredients, that focus can make the shopping experience more useful than a general retailer.

6. Tractor Supply Co.

Tractor Supply works particularly well for shoppers whose animal-care needs extend beyond dogs and cats.

Its pet department includes products for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, fish, and reptiles. That range gives rural households and multi-animal owners another place to buy supplies without visiting several specialty stores.

Tractor Supply does not operate like a dedicated companion-pet retailer, so its service offering differs from companies such as PetSmart and Petco. Its broader animal selection remains one of its biggest strengths.

7. Pet Supermarket

Pet Supermarket gives shoppers a dedicated pet-retail option with physical stores and online shopping. The retailer focuses on food, supplies, and services for companion animals.

Its regional footprint makes location an important consideration. If you live near one of its stores, you can use it for routine shopping and local services. Shoppers outside its service area will need another retailer.

8. Mud Bay

Mud Bay serves pet owners in the Pacific Northwest and focuses on dogs and cats. Its stores carry food, treats, litter, supplements, and other everyday supplies.

The company also provides educational material on pet-care issues, including diet transitions and litter-box problems. Mud Bay says it has spent more than 35 years serving pet owners in the Pacific Northwest.

Its regional focus gives shoppers in that part of the country an alternative to the largest national chains.

9. Pet Food Express

Pet Food Express combines specialty pet food with local services. Depending on the location, shoppers may find self-service pet washing, veterinary clinics, dog training, and cat adoption centers.

The retailer also supports in-store pickup and AutoDelivery. Its delivery network centers on ZIP codes around its stores rather than nationwide coverage.

That combination makes Pet Food Express especially relevant to shoppers who want specialty food without giving up the convenience of a physical store.

10. Petland

Petland follows a different retail model from most of the stores above. Its locations can sell pets as well as pet supplies, although the exact selection depends on the store.

Petland reported approximately 70 franchised and 20 corporately owned U.S. stores as of 2025. Its locations concentrate in particular states rather than covering the country evenly.

Anyone considering a live animal should inspect the individual store, ask questions about care practices, and understand the animal’s needs before making a purchase.

What Does a Pet Store Sell?

Walk into a large pet retailer,r and you will find much more than bags of dog food.

Food and Treats

Most stores sell dry and wet food, treats, specialty diets, and products designed for particular species or life stages. Some retailers also stock refrigerated or frozen products.

Food deserves particular attention because it represents the largest spending category in the broader U.S. pet industry. APPA projects $69.7 billion in U.S. spending on pet food and treats during 2026.

Toys and Enrichment

Dogs and cats need more than food and shelter. Retailers sell chew toys, interactive toys, puzzle feeders, scratching products, and other items that give pets opportunities to play and explore.

Grooming Products

Home grooming sections usually include brushes, shampoos, nail clippers, dental-care products, cleaning supplies, and other basic tools.

Accessories

Collars, leashes, harnesses, beds, carriers, bowls, and travel equipment make up another large part of the typical pet-store selection.

Habitat Supplies

Owners of birds, fish, reptiles, and small animals need different equipment. Depending on the retailer, you may find cages, aquariums, bedding, filters, lighting, heating equipment, and other habitat products.

Health Products

Pet retailers also sell flea and tick products, supplements, dental-care items, and other over-the-counter supplies. Prescription medicines and medical treatment require appropriate veterinary guidance.

What Services Do Pet Stores Offer?

A physical pet store can do more than sell products. Many retailers have added services that bring customers back after the initial purchase.

Grooming

Grooming services can include bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and haircuts. Prices vary according to the pet, breed, coat condition, location, and selected package.

Petco, for example, states that grooming prices vary by store, location, and breed.

Training

Training programs may cover puppy basics, obedience, or specific behavior problems. Stores can offer group classes or private sessions, depending on the location.

Veterinary Services

Some large retailers operate veterinary hospitals or clinics or work with veterinary providers. These services can handle routine examinations, vaccinations, and other basic veterinary needs.

A retail store should not replace a veterinarian when your pet needs diagnosis, treatment, or ongoing medical care.

Daycare and Boarding

Selected PetSmart locations provide PetsHotel and Doggie Day Camp. These services can help owners who need short-term care while they work, travel, or manage other commitments. Availability varies by location.

Adoption

Pet stores sometimes work with shelters and rescue organizations to help animals find homes. Petco says its Petco Love organization works with animal-welfare groups and has helped find homes for millions of animals.

Is It Better to Shop Online or In a Store?

The answer depends on what you are buying.

What matters	Physical pet store	Online pet store
Need something today	Better choice	Usually slower
Product selection	Depends on store size	Often wider
Home delivery	Available at some retailers	Main advantage
Grooming	Available at many locations	Not applicable
Veterinary services	Available at selected locations	Online pharmacy options exist
Heavy bags of food	Carry them home immediately	Delivered to your door
Seeing a product first	You can inspect it	You rely on product listings
Staff assistance	Available in person	Depends on the retailer

Online shopping works particularly well for repeat orders. You know what your pet eats, you know how much you need, and you can schedule the next delivery.

A physical store wins when you need something right away. It also makes more sense when you want grooming, training, a self-service wash, or another service that requires an actual location.

For many pet owners, the two formats work better together than either one alone.

How Much Does a Pet Store Visit Cost?

Your pet’s expenses depend on its species, size, diet, health needs, and lifestyle. That makes one universal monthly budget unrealistic.

A large dog can consume much more food than a small dog. Cat owners need to budget for litter as well as food. Fish, birds, and reptiles may eat less but can require specialized equipment such as tanks, lighting, heating systems, filters, cages, or habitat accessories.

Services add another expense. Grooming, training, daycare, boarding, pet sitting, and walking can all sit outside your regular food and supply budget.

APPA projects $14.9 billion in U.S. spending on other pet services in 2026. That category includes grooming, boarding, insurance, training, pet sitting, and walking.

Before you choose a retailer based only on shelf prices, check delivery fees, membership programs, recurring-order discounts, service charges, and local promotions. Those factors can change the final amount you pay.

How to Pick the Right Pet Store

Think about your pet first and the retailer second. If you need everyday food and litter, compare nearby stores with online prices. If your pet needs a specific diet, check the exact product name rather than assuming the store carries every formula from a brand. For grooming, ask about the total price, vaccination rules, appointment availability, and the groomer’s experience with your pet’s breed and coat.

If you want veterinary care, confirm that the location actually provides the service you need and identify the veterinary practice responsible for that care. Owners of reptiles, birds, fish, and small animals should look for a retailer that understands the equipment and environmental requirements of their particular species.

Online shoppers should compare delivery times, return rules, Autoship or subscription discounts, and prescription requirements before placing a large order. Live-animal shoppers should take a closer look at the store itself. Check the cleanliness of the facility and the condition of the animals’ enclosures. Look for appropriate food, clean water, and suitable housing.

What Should You Look for in a Good Pet Store?

A good pet store should make routine pet care easier. Start with the basics. Does the store carry the food your pet actually needs? Can you find essential supplies without ordering everything in advance? Does the retailer explain its prices and return policy clearly? Then look at the people and the facility. Staff should know when they can answer a product question and when they should direct you to a veterinarian.

Cleanliness matters even more when a store keeps live animals. Poorly maintained enclosures can tell you more about a retailer than an attractive product display. You should also separate retail advice from medical advice. Mud Bay, for example, states that its staff are not veterinarians and that veterinary professionals should handle diagnosis and treatment.

Which Pet Store Should You Choose?

Your shopping list should determine the retailer.

Choose PetSmart or Petco when you want a broad range of products and access to services in one place. Choose Chewy when home delivery and repeat online orders matter most. Look at Hollywood Feed if food selection and nutrition sit high on your priority list.

Pet Supplies Plus can work well for everyday local shopping, while Tractor Supply makes more sense when you need products for several types of animals. Mud Bay and Pet Food Express offer strong regional alternatives for shoppers who live within their service areas.

The best pet store does not have to be the biggest one. It needs to carry the products your pet requires, fit your budget, offer useful services when you need them, and give you a convenient way to keep your pet supplied.

For many owners, the most practical setup combines both formats: buy regular food and supplies through whichever retailer gives you the best combination of price and convenience, then use a nearby physical store for urgent purchases and hands-on services.

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FAQs

What is a pet store?

A pet store is a retail business that sells pets, pet food, supplies, accessories, and other animal-care products. Many modern retailers also provide services such as grooming, training, veterinary care, boarding, daycare, or adoption programs.

Which pet store is best in the USA?

There is no single best store for every pet owner. PetSmart and Petco offer broad product selections and multiple services; Chewy focuses on online convenience; and specialty or regional retailers can provide a more focused product range.

Is Chewy a pet store?

Chewy operates as an online pet retailer rather than a traditional brick-and-mortar pet store. Customers can order food, supplies, medications, toys, and other pet products through its website.

Are online pet stores cheaper?

Not every product costs less online. Online retailers can offer competitive prices, promotions, and recurring-order discounts, while physical stores provide immediate access and local services. Compare the final price, including delivery costs and discounts, before deciding.

Do pet stores offer grooming?

Many large pet retailers offer grooming, although availability varies by location. Grooming can include bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and haircuts.

Can I buy prescription pet medicine from a pet store?

Some retailers operate pet pharmacies and sell prescription medications when the required veterinary prescription or authorization is provided. Requirements vary by retailer and medication.

Do pet stores sell live animals?

Some retailers sell fish, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Policies differ between companies and locations, and rules governing live-animal sales can also vary by jurisdiction.

What is NAICS 453910?

NAICS 453910 is the U.S. industry classification for Pet and Pet Supplies Stores. The Census Bureau uses this classification for traditional establishments that retail pets, pet food, and pet supplies.

How many pet stores are in the USA?

The Census Bureau reported 9,921 employer establishments under NAICS 453910 in its 2023 data. This figure does not represent every business involved in modern pet retail because online retailers and several pet-care services fall under different classifications.

What percentage of pet spending goes to food?

APPA projects $69.7 billion in U.S. pet food and treat spending for 2026. Because the broader industry includes several different spending categories, the exact percentage depends on which total and classification you use.