Petco Return Policy, as Reported
Shopping guides report a 30-day Petco refund window and store credit from day 31 to 60; Petco's own page could not be read, so confirm with Petco first.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Store policies change. Petco's own website did not load for us on October 27, 2026: every page, the home page included, returned an access denied or error page to our browser and our tools. So this page could not be checked against Petco's official policy. What follows is how two shopping guides updated in 2025 and 2026 describe it, in our own words, and only the points both guides agree on. Confirm with Petco customer service or a store associate before you count on any of it.
The return window, as reported
Both guides describe two stages:
| When you return | What the guides say you get |
|---|---|
| Within 30 days of purchase | A full refund |
| Day 31 to day 60 | Merchandise credit instead of a refund |
| After 60 days | Not covered by the policy the guides describe |
Rather Be Shopping says that for online orders the 30 days are counted from the date the order first shipped, not the delivery date. SuperMoney does not say when the clock starts for online orders, so treat the start date as something to confirm.
Proof of purchase and ID
Both guides say Petco asks for a government-issued ID with returns. They differ on the details: SuperMoney says a receipt is required and an ID is scanned for every return, while Rather Be Shopping says a return without a receipt may still be possible with ID, often as store credit at the item's lowest selling price, at the manager's discretion. Bring both your receipt and your ID to be safe. If you bought online or while signed in to a Petco account, SuperMoney notes you can look up the order to get a copy of the receipt.
Online orders
Both guides say Petco.com orders can be returned at a Petco store. SuperMoney adds that online orders can also be shipped back, with the return shipping cost taken out of the refund.
Items the guides list as not returnable
Both guides name the same core exclusions:
- Prescription medications and pet pharmacy items.
- Personalized items.
Rather Be Shopping also lists grooming and training services as nonrefundable. Live animals, fish included, follow their own rules that the two guides describe differently, so ask the store before you buy a pet you might need to return.
Before you return
- Find your receipt or online order confirmation.
- Bring a government-issued ID.
- Return within 30 days if you want your money back rather than store credit.
- Ask the store, or call Petco customer service, to confirm the current rules for your item.
For a store whose official policy we could read, see PetSmart return policy.
Sources
Petco return policy, Rather Be Shopping, updated September 11, 2025, and Petco return policy, SuperMoney, updated October 22, 2026. Petco's official pages could not be read on October 27, 2026.