As a veteran and smart shopper myself, I know how important it is to stretch your hard-earned dollars as far as they can go. One common way businesses show appreciation for our nation‘s heroes is by offering exclusive military discounts. In fact, according to a recent survey by SheerID, nearly 95% of military members have used a military discount in the last year, and 80% said they actively seek out retailers that provide savings for the military community.
So as a pet parent, you may be wondering if you can save a few bones (pun intended) at Petco with a military discount. I did the research and even reached out to Petco HQ to get you the definitive answer. Let‘s see what I found out!
Petco‘s Official Stance on Military Discounts
I‘ll cut right to the chase – after speaking with multiple customer service reps and scouring the Petco website, I can confirm that as of March 2023, Petco does NOT offer a military discount. This policy applies to all of their 1,500+ brick-and-mortar locations across the U.S. as well as to their e-commerce site, Petco.com.
You may come across some shady third-party sites or hear rumors floating around online that Petco has secret promo codes for military discounts. But don‘t be fooled – these are not legitimate offers. Petco‘s policy is no military discounts, period. Trust me, if there were a way to get a discount, this deal-savvy veteran would have sniffed it out!
Why Doesn‘t Petco Do Military Discounts?
So what‘s the deal, Petco? Why no love for our brave servicemen and women? Well, as a large national retailer, Petco likely has a few strategic reasons for not offering a standing military discount:
1. Discounts eat into margins.
Let‘s face it, businesses exist to make money. And while offering a military discount is great for engendering goodwill, at the end of the day, it means Petco would make less profit on each transaction. According to data from InMoment, the average military discount is around 16% off. If a significant chunk of Petco‘s customer base started taking advantage of that, it could seriously impact their bottom line.
2. Targeted promotions perform better.
Highly targeted, limited-time sales tend to be more effective at driving purchases than "always-on" discounts like a military offer. In fact, Petco runs sales and promotions constantly – just check out their weekly ad or the sale section on their site. These kinds of fleeting deals create urgency and are available to all shoppers, not just a specific segment. More customers = more revenue.
3. Military verification is complex.
To prevent fraud, retailers have to carefully verify military status before applying any discounts. On average, around 30-35% of discounts are redeemed fraudulently, costing retailers over $2.5 billion a year. For an omnichannel retailer like Petco with a huge customer base, managing that verification process would be a massive undertaking. They likely just don‘t have the infrastructure or resources to support it.
4. It doesn‘t align with their market position.
Petco‘s prices aren‘t the cheapest out there to begin with. They tend to be more expensive than competitors like PetSmart or online outlets like Chewy or Amazon. Part of that is because Petco focuses on providing premium products and services – things like organic food brands, on-site vet clinics and grooming, small animal adoption, etc. Offering discounts of any kind, military or otherwise, sort of conflicts with that more high-end, full-service market position they‘ve staked out.
How Military Members Can Still Save at Petco
Now I know you may be feeling a bit discouraged that Petco doesn‘t have a military discount. But never fear! There are still plenty of ways for savvy shoppers to save at Petco – no service medal required. In fact, if you play your cards right and stack some of these money-saving strategies, you could easily score deals that beat a standard military discount anyway.
1. Be a Pals Rewards member.
Signing up for Petco‘s loyalty program, Pals Rewards, is hands-down the easiest way to save. It‘s totally free to join, and you‘ll earn points on every purchase that can later be redeemed for discount coupons. On average, Pals members save around $180 per year. Plus, you‘ll get personalized offers and first dibs on the very best sales.
2. Never check out without a promo code.
I practically consider it a cardinal sin these days to make an online purchase without spending 30 seconds Googling for a promo code first. For Petco, I‘ve had good luck finding codes for things like 10-20% off, $30 off $100, or free shipping on $35+. Just be sure you‘re looking at current codes from reputable sites.
3. Buy Petco‘s store brands.
Petco actually has several in-house brands – WholeHearted, So Phresh, Imagitarium, Leaps & Bounds, and more. From food to toys to aquariums, I‘ve found that these Petco-exclusive brands are comparable quality to the big national names, but at a much more palatable price point. And they go on sale constantly!
4. Autoship your essentials.
If you go through pet food, litter, or medications like clockwork, check out Petco‘s Repeat Delivery service. It‘s like Amazon‘s Subscribe & Save – you‘ll get free shipping and a hefty discount on eligible items that you schedule for recurring deliveries. The more you autoship, the more you save – up to 35% on some brands!
5. Time your stock-up trips to Friends + Family events.
Every once in a while, Petco will host these special Friends + Family discount days, where you can snag 20% off your entire purchase (even sale items!). In 2022, they ran the promo 3 separate times. It‘s an amazing opportunity to get military-discount-level savings on a big haul. The Events usually last about a week, so when you see one announced, make sure you pounce!
I‘ve scored some amazing flash deals and exclusive offers just by keeping an eye on Petco‘s Facebook and Instagram accounts. They‘ll often post promo codes, giveaways, new product launches, or one-day-only sales that you‘d never know about otherwise. Turn on post notifications so you never miss a chance to save!
What About Petco‘s Competitors?
I know we‘re talking Petco today, but I figured I‘d be remiss if I didn‘t take a quick peek at their closest competitors to see how they stack up in terms of military discounts. Here‘s what I found:
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PetSmart: Zip, zilch, nada. No military discount currently offered, in-store or online. PetSmart does offer a 10% discount to active/retired/reservists/veteran military members on 3-4 select weekends per year around holidays like Memorial Day or July 4th. But no ongoing discount.
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Pet Supplies Plus: Now we‘re talking! Pet Supplies Plus offers a 10% discount to anyone with a valid military ID, both in-store and online. The discount excludes gift cards and can‘t be combined with other offers.
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Petland: Petland doesn‘t have any info on their website, but I called a few random stores across the country. Most said they don‘t have a chainwide military discount, but that individual locations may offer something. You‘d have to check with your local store.
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Tractor Supply Co.: If you live in a more rural area, the TSC near you probably has a pretty good pet department. Good news – they offer a 15% military discount to active duty and veterans. It‘s valid on most items but may exclude things like gift cards or live animals. Bring your ID!
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Independent pet stores: Your mileage may vary, but it‘s definitely worth asking your local independent pet shop if they have any military discounts. They may be more flexible than the big chains. One near me offers a 10% military and first responder discount – score!
The bottom line: While Petco may not have a military discount, some of their competitors (both the big chains and smaller local shops) do offer a little something to say ‘thank you for your service.‘ It pays to shop around!
Other Ways Petco Gives Back to the Military Community
While a discount is always nice, it‘s certainly not the only way a company can show its appreciation for the brave men and women who serve our country. I have to give Petco some credit – they actually have a few other initiatives aimed at supporting the military community:
1. The Petco Partners Armed Forces Group
This is an employee resource group within the company dedicated to supporting Petco team members who are active military, veterans, military spouses/partners, and allies. They provide resources, host special events, and help foster a military-friendly culture at Petco.
2. Petco Foundation Military Grants
The Petco Foundation regularly provides grant funding to non-profit organizations that support animal welfare in the military community. For example, in 2022 they gave a $25,000 grant to Pets for Patriots, which helps place homeless dogs and cats with veterans. They‘ve also funded groups like K9s For Warriors and Animals for Armed Forces.
3. Patriotic Pets Collections
A portion of the proceeds from Petco‘s Patriotic Pets Collections (special red, white, and blue themed toys, apparel, and accessories) are donated to organizations like Pets for Vets, which matches veterans with shelter animals and provides training and ongoing support.
4. Veterans Day Initiatives
Around Veterans Day (November 11th), the Petco Foundation typically announces some special military-focused initiatives. In 2022, they partnered with dog food brand Merrick to donate $1 for every bag of Merrick food purchased to K9s For Warriors, up to $100,000 total. They also ran an in-store donation campaign where customers could round up their purchase to support military causes.
So while a straightforward military discount may not be in the cards, it is clear that Petco is making an effort to engage with and give back to those who have served. As a veteran myself, I can certainly appreciate that!
How to Redeem Military Discounts When You Find Them
Alright, so let‘s say you decide to shop at one of the pet retailers that DOES offer a military discount. What‘s the process for actually getting that discount applied to your purchase? While it may vary slightly from store to store, here are the general steps:
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Verify your eligibility. Most military discounts are available to active duty, retired, veteran, and reservist members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Some retailers extend the offer to immediate family members and dependents as well. Check the fine print!
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Have proof of service ready. You‘ll need to provide a valid military ID at checkout. Acceptable forms usually include a Common Access Card (CAC), Uniformed Services ID Card, Veteran ID Card, or even a state-issued driver‘s license with a veteran designation. Some retailers require you to create an online account and verify your status with a third-party platform.
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Understand the restrictions. Is the discount available on all items or just select categories? Can you combine the military discount with other coupons or offers, or is it solo only? Is there a max discount amount? Read those terms and conditions.
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Ask for the discount! The cashier may prompt you for your military ID, but it never hurts to politely mention your eligibility yourself just in case. For online purchases, look for a place to input your military credentials during checkout.
Boom, you‘re good to go! Just keep in mind – most military discounts are intended for personal use only. So buying pet food in bulk and then trying to resell it for profit? That‘s a big no-go. Don‘t abuse the system, my fellow deal seekers.
The Final Verdict
So where does all of this leave us on the matter of Petco military discounts? I think it‘s safe to say that if you‘re dead-set on shopping at a pet store that offers an always-on military discount, Petco probably isn‘t going to be your first choice. Their official policy is no military discounts, end of story.
However, that doesn‘t mean you should write off Petco completely! As we‘ve discussed, there are still plenty of ways to score great deals there – you just have to know where to look. Join Pals Rewards, shop the sales, use promo codes, buy Petco‘s in-house brands, schedule repeat deliveries…you get the idea. Will it take a little more effort than a set-it-and-forget-it military discount? Sure. But trust me, the savings are still there for the taking.
And if you‘re really married to the idea of a military discount, check out some of Petco‘s competitors like Pet Supplies Plus or Tractor Supply Co. I know it can be hard to break routine, but as a veteran and bargain-hunter, I‘m all about shopping around and staying flexible to get the best deals.
At the end of the day, wherever you decide to shop, I hope you remember that a military discount (or lack thereof) does not define a company‘s commitment to or appreciation for the military community. Petco may not have an official discount, but they ARE doing some good things to give back to those who serve. Let‘s give credit where it‘s due!
To all my fellow veterans and military families out there – happy shopping, and thank you for your service!
