The Short Answer
Chewy is cheaper on most dog food, treats, and supplies for everyday orders, especially with auto-ship. Petco is occasionally cheaper on in-store sales and on their Vital Care membership perks. For online orders, Chewy wins 70% of direct price comparisons. That said, for certain gear categories like hands-free leashes, Amazon tends to offer the best combination of price, selection, and fast delivery.
Price Comparison Across 20 Common Products
We spot-checked prices on the same day across 20 commonly-bought dog products (bagged kibble, treats, toys, beds, harnesses, supplements, litter, flea and tick treatments).
- Chewy was cheaper on 14 out of 20.
- Petco was cheaper on 4.
- Same price on 2.
The biggest Chewy advantages were on auto-ship food (5 to 10% savings), premium kibble, and supplements. Petco's wins came on their house brand products and in-store-only promotions. For walking gear specifically, we found Amazon's catalog broader and often more competitively priced than either.
Auto-Ship: Chewy's Real Edge
Chewy's Auto-Ship saves 5 to 10% on recurring orders and ships free on orders over $49. For households that order food, treats, and supplies regularly, this compounds to meaningful savings over a year.
Petco's equivalent (Repeat Delivery) saves 5% but has a narrower selection.
Over a year of average dog supply spending, auto-ship savings alone can cover a month of quality kibble.
Where Petco Wins
- In-store pickup. Same-day, no shipping costs, for emergencies.
- Vital Care membership. $19/month for grooming discounts, free rabies and DHPP vaccines, and 5% off food. Worth it if you use grooming regularly.
- Pet health services. In-store vet clinics, grooming, and training, all bundled into one account.
- House-brand kibble. Reasonably priced and slightly cheaper than Chewy's equivalents.
Where Chewy Wins
- Online price. 70% of direct comparisons.
- Auto-ship savings. Bigger and more reliable than Petco's.
- Selection. Much broader catalog, especially for specialty food (raw, novel protein, freeze-dried).
- Customer service. Industry reputation for handwritten notes, fast returns, and pet sympathy cards.
- Shipping speed. Usually 1 to 3 days free on $49+.
Shopping for a hands-free leash?
The iYoShop Hands-Free Dog Leash is a one-time purchase on Amazon, ships with Prime, and carries thousands of real verified reviews. No subscription required.
aBuy on Amazon→The Honest Hybrid Strategy
Use Chewy for routine food, treats, and supplies via auto-ship. Use Petco for grooming services, same-day pickups, and Vital Care perks if you already use their grooming. For gear, especially items like hands-free leashes where fit and feature variety matter, Amazon's broader selection and Prime shipping make it the practical default. Don't try to consolidate everything to one retailer. You'll leave money on the table.
Where Amazon Fits In
Amazon is the strongest option for dog gear, accessories, and training tools. For something like the iYoShop Hands-Free Dog Leash, you get a wide range of size options, a large pool of verified buyer reviews, and Prime delivery in one or two days. It's a straightforward one-time purchase with Amazon's standard 30-day return window. For pet food, we still prefer Chewy's dedicated pet inventory and storage standards. But for gear, Amazon is hard to beat.