PetSmart Treat Trail: A Picky Shopper‘s Guide to Earning and Spending Rewards

As a savvy PetSmart shopper, you‘re always on the lookout for ways to save on quality pet supplies. If you haven‘t yet discovered the PetSmart app‘s Treat Trail game, you may be missing out on some serious savings.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about Treat Trail, including how to rack up points, redeem coupons online and in-store, and stretch your savings to the max. Plus, we‘ve done the extra research to answer all your burning questions as a discerning deal hunter. Let‘s get started!

Treat Trail 101: Earning Points and Leveling Up

The key to Treat Trail is earning points so you can advance to new levels and unlock bigger coupon rewards. But how exactly do you accrue those precious points? Here are the main ways:

  • Making purchases in-store or online
  • Completing challenges in the app (more on that below)
  • Scanning products in-store
  • Referring friends to download the app
  • Engaging with PetSmart on social media

The specific number of points you earn per action varies, but generally, the more you spend and engage, the faster you‘ll advance.

According to PetSmart, active Treat Trail users earn an average of $20 in rewards per year, with top shoppers saving up to $100+. Considering it‘s free to play, that‘s a pretty sweet deal!

Treat Trail Challenges Explained

One of the quickest ways to earn Treat Trail points is by completing in-app challenges. These can be a mix of educational quizzes, product-related tasks, and social media activities.

Examples of past challenges:

  • Take a quiz about your cat‘s life stage and earn 50 points
  • Scan 3 dog toy barcodes in-store and earn 100 points
  • Post a photo of your pet on Instagram, tag @PetSmart, and earn 75 points

Challenges refresh frequently, so check the app often to see the latest opportunities. The more you complete, the faster you‘ll reach the next reward tier:

Level Points Required Reward
1 500 15% off one item
2 1,500 20% off one item
3 3,000 25% off one item

Pro Tip: Look out for limited-time bonus challenges that can earn you hundreds of extra points in one go!

Optimizing Your Treat Trail Coupon Strategy

Now for the fun part—redeeming all those coupons you‘ve earned! But before you go crazy adding items to your cart, keep these key things in mind:

  1. Coupons are one-time use, both online and in-store. Once it‘s applied, it‘s gone for good.
  2. You can only use one coupon per purchase, unless otherwise stated.
  3. Coupons cannot be combined with other promo codes or offers.

With that in mind, here‘s how to get the most bang for your buck:

1. Save coupons for larger purchases.

That 25% off coupon is going to save you a lot more on a $50 bag of dog food vs. a $5 toy. Of course, treat yourself (and your pet) sometimes, but in general, aim to use coupons on pricier items.

2. Check clearance first.

PetSmart‘s sale section can have some gems, especially if you catch it during a major promotion. See if you can snag an already-discounted item and stack your Treat Trail coupon on top for an extra discount.

3. Use coupons online for maximum selection.

Shopping PetSmart.com gives you access to way more inventory than your local store. Plus, you can easily search and filter to find eligible items for your coupon tier.

Pro Tip: If you have a PetSmart near you, select curbside pickup to avoid shipping fees!

4. Set a reminder for expiration dates.

The last thing you want is to hoard your points and then realize your coupons have expired. PetSmart won‘t accept them past the use-by date, so set a calendar reminder or note to make sure you spend them in time.

5. Play every month to maximize savings.

The Treat Trail game resets every calendar month, which means you have the potential to earn new coupons every 30 days or so. Get in the habit of opening the app and completing challenges regularly to continuously build your rewards bank.

According to a 2021 survey by the American Pet Products Association, pet owners spend an average of $442 per year on pet supplies and over-the-counter medicine. For many households, that‘s a significant line item in the budget.

By using Treat Trail strategically, you can easily shave 15-25% off multiple purchases throughout the year. Those savings can really add up, especially for multi-pet homes or those who prefer higher-end brands.

Treat Trail FAQ: Expert Answers to Your Coupon Questions

You‘re a conscientious shopper, and we respect that. That‘s why we‘ve rounded up detailed answers to some of the most common questions and concerns about Treat Trail coupons.

How do I know which items are eligible for my coupon?

When shopping online, PetSmart will automatically apply the highest-value coupon available for the items in your cart. To see which items are eligible, click "View Details" under the coupon in your cart or at checkout.

In-store, ask an associate to scan your coupon barcode and then the item you‘re interested in purchasing. They can confirm if it qualifies before you head to the register.

Can I use a coupon on sale or clearance items?

Yes, you can apply a Treat Trail coupon to items that are already on sale or clearance, as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements (e.g., not a gift card, not a service).

However, keep in mind that the coupon will apply to the discounted price, not the original price. So if an item is already 50% off, your 25% off coupon will only apply to that half-price amount.

Are there any exclusions for using Treat Trail coupons?

Treat Trail coupons cannot be used on the following:

  • Gift cards
  • Charitable donations
  • Grooming, training, adoptions, or other PetSmart services
  • Prescription medications or veterinary diets
  • Live pets (fish, small animals, reptiles, etc.)
  • PetSmart Charities items

Coupons also cannot be applied to previous purchases, and you can‘t redeem them for cash or gift card credit.

What if my coupon isn‘t working online?

There are a few reasons why your Treat Trail coupon may not be applying to your online purchase:

  1. You don‘t have enough points to reach the spending threshold. Check your Treats profile to see how close you are to the next reward tier.

  2. Your item is excluded from coupons (see above).

  3. You already applied a different promo code to your order. Remove that code and try re-entering your Treat Trail coupon.

  4. Your coupon may have expired or been used in a previous order. Double-check the expiration date and your order history.

If none of those scenarios apply, contact PetSmart customer service for assistance. They can look up your account and troubleshoot any technical issues.

My store said they don‘t accept app coupons. What now?

PetSmart‘s corporate coupon policy states that all stores should accept valid Treat Trail coupons, as long as they‘re presented at checkout and scanned correctly.

However, there can sometimes be confusion or inconsistency at the individual store level. If you run into an issue, try asking to speak with a manager or supervisor. They should be able to override the register and manually apply the coupon.

If you still can‘t get the coupon to work in-store, hang onto your receipt and contact PetSmart customer service at 1-888-839-9638. They may be able to retroactively apply the discount to your purchase.

Bonus Tips for Becoming a PetSmart Deal Pro

You‘re well on your way to becoming a Treat Trail master, but why stop there? Here are some pro tips for maximizing your PetSmart savings even further:

  1. Sign up for Autoship on your pet‘s favorite food or supplies. You‘ll save 5% on every order, and shipping is always free. Plus, you can easily cancel or edit your subscription at any time.

  2. Follow PetSmart on social media for exclusive promo codes, flash sales, and contest opportunities. They often post Treat Trail bonus point challenges there, too.

  3. Check your local ad or the PetSmart app for in-store events like adoption weekends, vet clinics, or photo days. These can be opportunities to score freebies, coupons, and other perks.

  4. Keep an eye out for PetSmart‘s bi-annual Stock Up & Save sales around spring and fall. These events offer deep discounts on tons of popular items both in-store and online. Combine with your Treat Trail coupons for maximum savings!

  5. Consider applying for the PetSmart Treats Mastercard. You‘ll earn 8 points per $1 spent at PetSmart (in-store and online), plus 2 points per $1 spent anywhere else Mastercard is accepted. Points can be redeemed for PetSmart gift cards.

  6. If you have a pet insurance policy, see if your provider offers any discounts or perks for PetSmart purchases. Some plans, like Pets Best, give 5% off all PetSmart.com orders.

By combining Treat Trail rewards with smart shopping strategies like these, you can treat your pet to the very best while keeping more money in your wallet.

Go Forth and Save!

We hope this ultimate guide to PetSmart Treat Trail has armed you with everything you need to know to earn and spend your rewards like a pro.

By playing strategically and staying engaged, you can easily rack up enough points to score multiple 25% off coupons throughout the year. Stacked with sales and other discounts, that‘s a recipe for major savings.

So what are you waiting for? Download the PetSmart app and start exploring Treat Trail today. Your pets (and your budget) will thank you!