Petco Return Policy

Do you have a particularly picky pet that’s difficult to shop for?

Even if you think you’ve chosen the perfect treat or toy, your pet might be unimpressed. This could mean that you quickly end up with a home full of unwanted toys and other items.

Petco is one of the largest pet retailers in the United States. In addition to live animals, the company sells food, toys, accessories, and a whole host of other items. But what happens if you need to return a product for some reason?

Well, let’s take a look at the Petco return policy and how to make a claim to find out.

About Petco’s Return Policy

Most products the company sells are protected by a return policy. And, in most cases, you have thirty days to return unwanted items to your nearest store or the company’s warehouse. However, the policy comes with terms and conditions, and store managers have the right to refuse claims.

Further, when returning unwanted items to Petco, you usually need to show a valid form of photo ID. You also need to show proof of purchase, such as the original receipt. These measures are designed to protect the company against fraud.

Petco Return Policy Exclusions

While most products can be returned for a refund or exchange, there are certain exceptions. This is because certain items cannot be resold once they have been purchased. Therefore, it is important to make sure these products completely meet your needs before making a purchase.

The main exclusions are:

How to Return Unwanted Items at Petco?

You can bring unwanted Petco products back to your nearest store within the thirty-day period. The item will be inspected along with your proof of purchase and identification. If your claim is accepted, the in-store return will be processed free of charge.

What if I purchased it online?

No problem, if you purchased a product online, you can ship it back to the company’s warehouse. While you will receive a full refund, the shipping fees will not be refunded. Fortunately, you can save further shipping costs by taking online purchases back to a store. 

Without the receipt

Petco’s terms and conditions clearly state that you need to provide proof of purchase to receive a refund. So, in most cases, you will need to show the receipt if you made the purchase in a store. However, your credit or debit card information can also be used to confirm the purchase.

And online POPs?

When you purchase products from the company’s website, you will receive a confirmation email. This can be used as proof of purchase and can be printed out and brought to a store. You can also find the proof of purchase in the Order History section of the company’s website. 

Opened items

Products still qualify if the packaging has been opened. However, you need to provide the original packaging and make sure it is in good condition. As long as you meet the other terms and conditions, your claim will usually be accepted. 

Damaged items

If a Petco product is damaged or broken when you receive it, you can get a full refund. However, this needs to have happened during the shipping process. You cannot receive a refund or exchange if you damage or broke the item yourself. 

How are refunds made?

Your Petco refund will usually be made using the payment method you used when making the purchase. So, if you paid by credit or debit card, the refund will be made to the bank account linked to the card. If you used cash or a check, your refund will be issued in cash.

A corporate check will be issued if the store doesn’t have enough cash to cover the refund. 

Returning Animals to Petco

Inviting a new pet into your home is a big commitment and needs to be considered carefully. However, there may be times when your new buddy simply doesn’t adapt to its new environment.

But you cannot return fish and other pets if you simply don’t want them anymore. You can only make a claim if the animal you bought becomes sick or dies within thirty days. 

Let’s look at the policies around returning specific animals to Petco.

Fish 

You can purchase live fish both in stores and through the Petco website. The company guarantees that freshwater fish bought in a store will stay alive for seven days. Therefore, if the fish dies or becomes sick within a week of taking it home, you can take it back to the store.

However, you need to take back the fish along with a sample of the water it was living in. An associate will usually inspect the fish to determine the cause of sickness or death. They will usually take a sample of the water the fish was living in to make an analysis. 

Reptiles, Guinea Pigs, and Other Animals

Sick or injured animals can be brought back to a store for a refund within thirty days. The animal will be inspected by an associate, and a decision will be made on the spot. You need to produce the original receipt and a form of identification when returning the animal. 

Dead Animals

The company makes every effort to ensure that all animals sold in stores are in perfect health. So, if your new furry friend dies within the thirty-day return period, you can take it back to the store. An associate will dispose of the animal for you and issue a full refund.

However, you need to produce proof of purchase, such as the receipt, to get your money back. You will also be asked to provide some form of identification. Fortunately, you can also bring back cages, toys, and other accessories that are still within the thirty-day period.

Dog Food Returns  

It can take a few attempts to find a type of dog food your precious pooch enjoys. Fortunately, Petco sells a wide range of different types of dog food both in stores and online. You can return unwanted dog food to Petco even if the bag has been opened. 

The return policy for dog food is basically the same as for other products the company sells. You have thirty days from the date of purchase, and you need to produce the original receipt. And just like returning other items, you need to show a form of identification before your claim is processed.  

If you made the purchase in a store, you can also choose an exchange if you prefer. The new product has to be of the same value or less to qualify. This gives you the chance to try a few different brands until you find one your dog loves. 

Prescription Dog Food

This type of dog food is purchased through the pharmacy department of a store. It is specially formulated to meet the health and dietary requirements of your pet. As a result, this type of product cannot be resold if it is unwanted.

Although you can’t return unwanted prescription dog food to a Petco store, you can ship it back to the company. You need to include the original packing slip along with the product and all the packaging. A refund will usually be issued once the product has been received and inspected. 

What to do with unwanted dog food you can return?

If you have pet food you can’t return for some reason, it’s best to contact an animal shelter. Most shelters are happy to receive food and most other types of donations. However, it’s best to get in contact with the shelter first rather than simply showing up with the food.

Most shelters have strict rules about the types of items they can accept. While some shelters accept opened packages of dog food, others only accept sealed packages. There may also be restrictions on the brands that can be donated. 

Cali Vinyl Pet-Friendly Flooring

This type of flooring is perfect for protecting your carpets while house training a new pup. While you can receive a refund for this product, it doesn’t fall under the standard return policy. The product has to meet certain conditions, and the packaging has to be unopened.

Here’s all you need to know…

To receive a refund, you have to ship the flooring back to the company. Plus, you need to include a printed copy of Cali Bamboo’s Return Authorization form that came with the product. The product has to be carefully packaged and palletized for transit, along with photographic evidence. Moreover, you must send photographic evidence of the packaging to the customer service department before shipping the product. 

Additionally, in order to receive a refund on pet-friendly flooring bought at Petco, you must buy and return at least five boxes. The maximum return window is usually sixty days. If more than sixty days have passed, you will be charged a 25% restocking fee.

Got Another Petco Question?

If so, we can probably help you! Maybe you want to know about Petco Hours. We can even answer How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Petco and take you through the full Petco Application if you like!

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Got a teen at home? Find out How to Become a Teenage Dog Walker and How to Become a Teen Pet Sitter!

Ok, back to today’s topic…

Final Thoughts

Most products sold by Petco are protected by a comprehensive thirty-day return policy. This covers both live and dead animals, accessories, and food. In order to make a claim, you need to show proof of purchase along with some form of identification. 

However, pharmacy products such as prescription medications are not covered by the return policy. So, before making a claim, it is a good idea to check out the list of excluded items and limits. If you don’t meet the set terms and conditions, your claim is likely to be denied.

Happy pet shopping!