Petco Return Policy: How to Get Your Money Back

Pets can be pretty particular about the stuff we buy them, whether it’s new food, a bed, toys, or cat litter. The good news is you can return almost any Petco purchase within 30 days for a full refund thanks to the Petco return policy. And they allow returns up to 60 days for store credit.

While you can return almost anything to Petco, there are a few details you should know before you head to the store. This is the part where I warn you that a receipt is always required for returns at Petco. Your local store’s manager won’t have as much wiggle room on returns as they may get with the Petco price match policy.

But if you’re a member of the Petco Rewards program, they’ll already have your receipt on file, which is one of my favorite perks of the rewards program (besides the Petco coupons, of course).

If you do end up needing to make a return on behalf of your picky pet, we’ve done all the research for you right here. Here’s your easy-to-understand guide to the Petco return policy.

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1. How long do I have to return an item to Petco?

The Petco return window is actually 60 days, but you’re gonna wanna try to make your return within the first 30 days to get a full refund. Your refund will be issued to the same method of payment you used for the original purchase.

If you procrastinate and make a return on days 31 – 60, you can still do it, but you’ll only get store credit instead of a full refund.

TIP: If you paid with a check, your refund will be issued in cash.

2. What do I need to return an item to Petco?

To make a return at Petco, you’ll need to bring the item, your receipt, and a valid government-issued ID.

What if I lost my Petco receipt?

Too bad. You won’t be able to make a return.

That’s why I always recommend linking Petco purchases to your Petco rewards account by providing your phone number at checkout. That way, Petco can look up your receipt in their system even if you lost it.

If they can’t find it in their system and you lost the receipt on your end, you’re out of luck.

TIP: There are a bunch of other stores that will let you make returns without a receipt. PetSmart is one of them.

3. Can I return an item that I used to Petco?

It really depends on the product. If you bought grooming clippers and decided you didn’t like them, you can put them back in the box and make a return. As long as it’s in resellable (like-new) condition.

But if you used the clippers or ripped the sides of the box when you were opening it, don’t expect to get your money back at Petco.

As far as pet food goes, that’s usually returnable even if it’s opened — as long as you’re within that 30-day window. Depending on your store, you might get your refund via store credit rather than back on your debit/credit card when you return opened items like pet food.

4. Can I return something I bought online?

You can definitely return your online Petco orders in-store, and that’s what I recommend doing so you can avoid the return shipping fees.

If you need to make a return by mail instead, just know that you’ll typically be responsible for return shipping fees unless there is a problem with the product. If that’s the case, call customer service at 1-877-738-6742 to see if they are willing to foot the bill. Keep in mind that original shipping fees are not refundable — whether you return in-store or by mail, and whether or not your order arrived damaged.

You’ll receive a packing slip with every online order, and you can find the return address there. If you don’t have a packing slip (or if you threw it away with the packaging), you can mail all returns to this address:

Petco.com 257 Prospect Plains Road, Ste. B Cranbury, NJ 08512

The same 30-/60-day return policy applies to online orders, just like in-store returns.

TIP: If you live in San Diego or Los Angeles, you can get your Petco returns picked up at your home with Returnmates.

5. Are there exceptions to the Petco return policy?

Yes, there are a few exceptions to the Petco return policy. Here are the main items to keep an eye on:

What is Petco’s return policy for gift cards?

You cannot return a Petco gift card. Once it’s received, it’s yours.

If you really don’t want it, you can resell it on a gift card marketplace. You won’t get its full value back, but these marketplaces do allow you to get some cash for a part of the gift card’s value.

What is the Petco return policy for live fish or plants?

Petco will only allow you to return live fish, plants, or other aquatic life if they die — not just because you changed your mind about the purchase.

Petco guarantees all aquatic life will stay alive for seven days, starting on the day you bring them home. If your fish doesn’t live for seven days, Petco will refund your money to the original payment method you used. Obviously, you don’t have to return the deceased fish to the Petco store, but they will ask you to provide a photo of it.

For freshwater fish or other freshwater aquatic life, Petco extends the guarantee to 30 days from the date of purchase. But you’ll need to provide the original receipt and a water sample from the tank to confirm you took proper care of the fish or plants before they died.

TIP: If you bought Petco fish or plants online, don’t bring them into a physical store for a return. Instead, you'll start the refund process by calling Petco customer service at 1-877-738-6742.

What is Petco’s prescription return policy?

Prescription medications like Heartgard and Bravecto can’t technically be returned to Petco. But you can request a refund if they sent you the wrong medications or the product arrived damaged. To return prescriptions to Petco, you’ll have to initiate things by calling 1-877-738-6742.

If you bought prescription food at Petco, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund. No phone calls necessary.

What is the Petco return policy for Cali Vinyl Pet Flooring?

The return policy for Cali Vinyl Pet Flooring at Petco is a little stricter than with other products. While you still have the 30-/60-day return window, you will be charged a 25% restocking fee (yikes!). For this item, technically you can make an open-box return — but only if it doesn’t look like it’s an open-box return. They want to resell it, after all. And, you can only make a return if you have at least five boxes of flooring OR at least five transition pieces.

As if all that weren’t enough, this is one item you’re gonna have to return by mail. And it’s not even the normal process. You have to call the special number for Cali products at 888-788-2254. You’ll need to submit photos of the flooring to show that it’s packaged and ready to ship.

If they approve your return, they’ll send you the next steps. You’ll need to include the Cali Bamboo Return Authorization form when you pack up your return. It should have come with your original packing slip.

What is the Petco return policy for Ring and iRobot products?

You can’t return Ring or iRobot products in-store. You’ll have to call Petco customer service for Ring and iRobot returns at 1-877-738-6742. From there, the rep will give you a Return Authorization Number. You’ll write that number on the outside of the box, on your packing slip, or on the return label.

Your return must be in the original manufacturer box for Ring and iRobot returns.