Quick Answer
PetSmart and Petco are both correct names, but they are different U.S. pet retailers, not alternate spellings of the same word. For example, you might shop at PetSmart for grooming and boarding, while Petco also offers grooming, training, veterinary services, and other pet care options.
Choosing between PetSmart and Petco can be confusing because both stores offer a wide range of pet products and services. From food, treats, toys, and bedding to grooming and other pet-care essentials, both retailers serve many of the same needs. However, their product selections, services, prices, loyalty programs, and shopping experiences can differ.
If you are wondering whether PetSmart or Petco is the better choice, the answer depends on what you need for your pet. Comparing their products, prices, grooming options, services, and overall value can help you decide which store fits your needs and budget. This guide breaks down the key differences so you can make a more informed choice.
Why People Confuse Them
People often search for petsmart or petco because both names refer to major pet-care retailers. They sell similar products and provide several overlapping services, so shoppers may use the names interchangeably.
However, PetSmart and Petco are separate company names. Petco’s official history traces the business to 1965, when it began as UPCO, a mail-order veterinary-supplies business in San Diego. The company became Petco in 1979.
PetSmart is also a brand name rather than an ordinary English word in this context. Its stores sell pet food, supplies, toys, accessories, and other products. It also offers services such as grooming, dog training, boarding, and veterinary care at participating locations.
So, the main issue is not grammar. It is brand identification and usage.
Meaning of PetSmart
Definition
PetSmart is a proper name used for a pet retailer and pet-care brand. The name combines the word pet with smart, but the full expression functions as a brand name.
Because it is a proper name, it should normally appear as PetSmart, with capital letters for both parts.
Parts of Speech and Forms
PetSmart does not behave like an ordinary noun or verb. It is primarily a proper noun referring to the company, its stores, services, or brand.
| Form | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| PetSmart | Brand/company name | “I bought a carrier at PetSmart.” |
| PetSmart store | Store location | “The PetSmart store is nearby.” |
| PetSmart grooming | Brand service | “She booked PetSmart grooming.” |
| PetSmart’s | Possessive form | “PetSmart’s services include grooming.” |
You generally should not create verb forms such as PetSmarted or PetSmarting. Those forms are not standard English.
Usage
Use PetSmart when you mean the specific company or brand.
For example:
- “I ordered cat litter from PetSmart.”
- “My dog has a grooming appointment at PetSmart.”
- “We found a new aquarium at the local PetSmart.”
- “PetSmart offers several services for dogs and cats.”
PetSmart currently lists grooming, PetsHotel, Doggie Day Camp, dog training, veterinary care, and adoption among its pet services. Availability can vary by location.
Meaning of Petco
Definition
Petco is the proper name of another major pet retailer and pet-care company.
Like PetSmart, Petco is a brand name. It should normally be capitalized as Petco.
Petco describes itself as a health and wellness company focused on pets and their owners. Its current services include grooming, training, veterinary services, pharmacy, vaccinations, adoptions, and self serve dog washing.
Parts of Speech and Forms
Petco is also primarily a proper noun.
| Form | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Petco | Brand/company name | “I bought the food at Petco.” |
| Petco store | Store location | “The Petco store opens at nine.” |
| Petco’s | Possessive form | “Petco’s grooming service is available here.” |
| Petco services | Brand services | “Petco services include veterinary care.” |
As with PetSmart, standard English does not use Petco as a regular verb.
Usage
Use Petco when referring specifically to that company, its stores, products, or services.
For example:
- “I took my puppy to Petco for training.”
- “Petco offers veterinary services at participating locations.”
- “She bought a new leash from Petco.”
- “We compared several brands at Petco.”
Petco says it operates more than 1,500 locations across the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, although its store count can change over time.
Pronunciation
PetSmart and Petco are not homophones. They have different spellings, sounds, and syllable patterns.
| Name | IPA | Simple pronunciation | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| PetSmart | /ˈpɛtˌsmɑːrt/ | PET-smart | 2 |
| Petco | /ˈpɛtkoʊ/ | PET-koh | 2 |
The exact phonetic transcription can vary slightly by dictionary system and accent. The pronunciation of smart is listed by Cambridge as /smɑːrt/ in American English.
PetSmart vs Petco: Side-by-Side Comparison
The search phrase petsmart or petco usually reflects a comparison between two brands rather than a spelling question.
| Feature | PetSmart | Petco |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Proper noun / brand name | Proper noun / brand name |
| Meaning | Pet retailer and pet-care brand | Pet retailer and pet-care company |
| Pronunciation | “PET-smart” | “PET-koh” |
| Spelling | PetSmart | Petco |
| Grammar | Proper noun | Proper noun |
| Common uses | Stores, products, grooming, boarding, training | Stores, products, grooming, training, veterinary care |
| Verb forms | None in standard usage | None in standard usage |
| Example | “I shop at PetSmart.” | “I shop at Petco.” |
Both brands offer overlapping products and services. However, their exact services, prices, promotions, and availability can differ by location.
For example, PetSmart prominently offers PetsHotel and Doggie Day Camp, while Petco lists services such as veterinary care, pharmacy, vaccinations, and self-serve dog washing.
That does not mean one company offers only those services. Both companies provide a broader range of pet products and care options.
Common Phrases and Brand Uses
These expressions are common because people often use the company names as modifiers.
1. PetSmart store
This means a physical store operated under the PetSmart brand.
2. PetSmart grooming
This refers to grooming services offered through PetSmart.
3. PetSmart PetsHotel
This refers to PetSmart’s pet boarding service at participating locations.
4. Petco grooming
This means grooming services provided through Petco.
5. Petco veterinary services
This refers to veterinary care available through Petco’s veterinary offerings.
6. Petco training
This refers to dog training services offered by Petco.
7. PetSmart or Petco
This phrase is commonly used when someone wants to compare the two retailers.
8. PetSmart vs. Petco
This construction usually introduces a direct comparison between the two brands.
Common Mistakes
| Wrong sentence | Corrected sentence | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “I bought it at petsmart.” | “I bought it at PetSmart.” | Brand names should be capitalized. |
| “Petco and PetSmart are the same company.” | “Petco and PetSmart are separate companies.” | They are different brands. |
| “I PetSmarted my dog yesterday.” | “I took my dog to PetSmart yesterday.” | PetSmart is not normally used as a verb. |
| “We went to petsmart for veterinary care.” | “We went to PetSmart for veterinary care.” | The brand name needs capitalization. |
| “Petco and PetSmart is nearby.” | “Petco and PetSmart are nearby.” | Two companies require the plural verb are. |
| “She bought food from petco.” | “She bought food from Petco.” | Petco is a proper brand name. |
One common mistake deserves extra attention: do not assume that the two names are interchangeable simply because their services overlap.
If you are describing a specific purchase or appointment, use the correct company name.
Word Origin
PetSmart
The name PetSmart is a modern brand construction. It combines pet, referring to a domesticated animal kept for companionship, with smart, an English adjective associated with intelligence or good judgment.
The ordinary English word smart has a much older history. Oxford traces the adjective to an earlier sense connected with sharp pain, while the modern senses developed over time. Its older root is associated with Old English smeortan.
That etymology belongs to the word smart, not necessarily to the company’s branding decision.
Petco
Petco is a company name rather than a standard English dictionary word.
Petco’s own history states that the business began as UPCO in 1965 and became Petco in 1979.
Because Petco is a corporate name, it is better to avoid inventing a deeper Latin, Greek, French, or Old English root for the brand.
Easy Memory Tricks
Think “Smart” for PetSmart
The name itself contains Smart:
Pet + Smart = PetSmart
If you are talking about the brand whose name visibly includes smart, write PetSmart.
Think “Co” for Petco
The second part of Petco is simply co, making the name visually shorter:
Pet + Co = Petco
This helps distinguish the two written forms.
Use the Full Brand Name
When in doubt, write the complete name instead of shortening it.
Use:
- PetSmart
- Petco
Avoid informal spellings such as petsmart, pet smart, or petcoo when referring to the official brands.
Mini Quiz
Fill in each blank with PetSmart or Petco.
- I bought a new dog bed at ______ yesterday.
- ______ offers PetsHotel at participating locations.
- We scheduled a veterinary appointment through ______.
- She compared prices at ______ and another local pet store.
- The official brand name is written ______, not “petsmart.”
Answers
- PetSmart or Petco, depending on the store you mean.
- PetSmart
- Petco
- PetSmart or Petco, depending on the store you mean.
- PetSmart
The first and fourth answers can legitimately be either brand because the sentences do not provide enough context to identify one specific company.
FAQs
Are PetSmart and Petco the same company?
No. PetSmart and Petco are separate pet retailers and pet-care brands.
Is it PetSmart or Petsmart?
The official brand styling is PetSmart. The capital S is part of the brand’s written name.
Is Petco one word?
Yes. The brand name is written Petco, with a capital P and lowercase co.
Which is correct, petsmart or petco?
Both names are correct when you mean the appropriate brand. They are not different spellings of the same word.
Do PetSmart and Petco offer the same services?
They overlap in areas such as grooming and training, but their service offerings differ. Availability also varies by location.
How should I write PetSmart in a sentence?
Write PetSmart as a proper brand name, usually with a capital P and S.
Conclusion
When comparing petsmart or petco, remember that both names are correct but identify different companies.Use PetSmart for the PetSmart brand and Petco for the Petco brand.Neither name functions as a standard English verb, and both should retain their official capitalization.The easiest rule is simple: PetSmart and Petco are two brands, not two spellings of one word.
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Christopher Parker is a writer and blogger at GramScript.com, sharing thoughtful insights and engaging stories across a range of topics. His writing blends clarity, curiosity, and a distinctly human perspective.