Petco Vital Care Membership. Is it Worth It?

Anna Kobets Chewy Updated on 9/20/2023 at 3:09 pm

Once upon a time in a world filled with adorable furry companions, I found myself pondering a question that many pet parents face – is investing in a pet care plan truly worth it? Specifically, I was contemplating Petco’s Vital Care program for my beloved feline friend. You see, as an employee at Petco, I had the opportunity to get a discount on Vital Care, but I needed the honest truth about its value.

Caring for a pet can be quite the financial commitment. According to the ASPCA, the annual cost of raising a dog can soar up to $1,400, not to mention the initial expenses of around $1,800 during their first year. With an average lifespan of 10-13 years, we’re talking about a significant investment of $14,000 to $18,200 over their lifetime. In 2020, Petco introduced Vital Care, a subscription-based pet care program, aiming to make pet care more accessible and affordable.

Petco Vital Care: Your Pet's Best Friend — Petco Vital Care: Your Pet’s Best Friend

The Unique Offering: Petco’s Vital Care

Petco took a step that no other major pet store had taken – they introduced Petco Vital Care, a comprehensive wellness plan for pets. While competitors like PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus offer pet products, none of them provide a dedicated wellness program like Vital Care.

What are the costs and benefits of Petco Vital Care?

Vital Care comes with a price tag ranging from $9.99 to $19.99 per month, depending on the type of pet you enroll. For cats and dogs, it’s $19.99 per month or approximately $240 annually (plus tax). For smaller pets like fish, reptiles, and birds, the cost drops to $9.99 per month or $119.88 per year. Enrolling is a breeze, whether through the Petco website, the mobile app, or a simple text. And here’s a bonus – once you’re a Vital Care member, you’re also part of Petco’s Pals Rewards loyalty program.

What Do You Get with Vital Care and Pals Rewards?

Vital Care offers an array of benefits that cater to different pet types. For cats and dogs, these benefits include discounts on food, grooming services, and even $20 off services on Rover.com. There’s also $15 in Pals Rewards every month for all your pet’s health and wellness needs. The plan covers routine exams at your preferred vet or offers unlimited routine exams at participating Vetco Total Care locations. For dogs, grooming services are discounted by 20%, while cat owners get a 20% discount on cat litter.

Calculating the Real Cost with Pals Rewards

While the annual Vital Care fee might seem steep, it’s crucial to factor in the Pals Rewards you receive each month. After accounting for these rewards, you’re essentially paying around $5 a month for Vital Care, which can be a game-changer for your pet’s health and well-being.

Savings on Petco Services

Petco Vital Care also provides substantial savings on various services. For instance, without Vital Care, you’d spend around $334 a year on services like nail trims, baths, and vet exams for your pet. However, with Vital Care, you could bring that cost down to approximately $211.20 annually. This translates to saving over $10 a month, which adds up over time.

Petco Vital Care: Your Passport to Pet Food Savings

Can you stack Petco rewards?

Petco fans, rejoice! You now have the ability to stack your rewards points and make the most out of your purchases. That’s right – you can combine multiple $5 Petco rewards on top of each other, and even use them in tandem with coupons and sale prices

Multipet Discounts and Commitment

For those with multiple pets, the savings grow further. You can save $2 per pet, per month with the Vital Care multipet discount. So, if you have two pets, you’re looking at even more significant savings.

Can you cancel Petco Vital Care anytime?

With just a few clicks, you can say goodbye to this service. All you need to do is log in to your Vital Care Premier dashboard on petco.com or in the Petco app. Once you have made this move, you must wait until the end of the current subscription to cancel the vital care services you signed up for. Keep in mind that Petco will continue charging you until the 12-month commitment is fulfilled, so it’s essential to plan accordingly.

Petco's Hottest Deals for Pet Parents — Petco’s Hottest Deals for Pet Parents

How does Petco Vital Care compare to other pet care options?

While Petco Vital Care is excellent for in-store shoppers, Chewy, an online pet supply giant, offers its savings strategy. Does Chewy really save money? While Chewy doesn’t offer a loyalty program like Vital Care, it excels in discounts and coupon codes.

Autoship Discounts: Chewy provides an enticing 35% discount on your first Autoship order, followed by an ongoing 5% discount on select brands for all future Autoship orders. This recurring discount makes long-term savings effortless.
Shipping Benefits: Orders exceeding $49 from Chewy are eligible for free shipping, while orders below that threshold incur a reasonable flat fee of $4.95.
Connect With a Vet: Chewy’s “Connect With a Vet” program is free and unlimited for Autoship customers. For non-Autoship customers, the fee for a single chat session is $14.99, and a 20-minute video appointment costs $19.99.
Regular Discounts: Chewy regularly offers substantial discounts, especially during holidays. The “Today’s Deals” section on their website is a treasure trove of savings.

Is Chewy cheaper than Petco? n the world of pet care, Petco and Chewy are two formidable players. Both offer ways to save as a pet parent, whether through comprehensive plans or smart shopping tactics. The choice ultimately depends on your pet’s needs, your budget, and your preferences. So, embark on this pet care journey wisely, and rest assured, you can give your furry family members the best without breaking the bank.