Petco 101: Why It’s a Fan-Favorite Among Pet Owners
The easiest way to recognize a stable company is to learn more about its history and how it has remained a staple on the market. Luckily, Petco isn’t shy about sharing its ups and downs with the public. And really, its climb to the top is such an inspiring story!
Petco’s beginnings go way back to 1965, when its founder, Walter Evans, started UPCO, or United Pharmaceutical Company, a mail-order veterinary supplies business. At that point in time, supermarkets were the place to get pet supplies, and their market share was hard to match. They accounted for 95% of pet food sold all over the US. Obviously, that left companies like UPCO in a rather unfortunate position.
It wasn’t until the mid-1980s and mid-1990s that the company slowly started to establish itself as a market leader. In the meantime, though, it was decided to rebrand it (1979) so that it better matched the needs and preferences of its customers. The company started using the name Petco and opened its first store in Tigard, Oregon, in 1980.
The man that guided Petco to its success was Brian K. Devine, formerly associated with Toys ‘R’ Us.
During Devine’s reign, Petco established itself as a specialty retailer and embraced the concept of superstores, just like its main competitor, PetSmart. Toward the end of 1991, Petco had 37 superstores. It continued to operate smaller ones, though, since they were still profitable.
With the company expanding and opening even more superstores, Devine went the extra mile to take advantage of the current market conditions. Thus, in 1994, the company had its initial public offering. At that point, it began its journey to acquiring smaller chains until it had enough to establish itself as a true market leader.
Since 2000 when it went private, Petco has been slowly but surely growing more and more. Right now, it has more than a thousand stores, which include both superstores and smaller neighborhood-based Unleashed locations.
However, just providing pet goods and services isn’t enough. The company established the Petco Foundation to support its no-nonsense fight for animal welfare. It has also started other similar initiatives, including the National Pet Food Bank and WholePets.
Over the years, it has earned the reputation of being a trusted lifelong partner to both pets and their owners. As such, it’s no surprise that Petco promotes adoption rather than pet sales.
On top of that, the company is always trying to improve its services and offers while always keeping the pets’ health in mind. Thus, in 2018, it decided to stop selling food and treats containing potentially harmful ingredients, such as preservatives and artificial colors and flavors.
When it comes to grooming services, you’ll soon notice that Petco puts more emphasis on dogs rather than cats. Whether that’s intentional or purely a coincidence, it’s up to you to decide. What matters is that there are full-service options for both animals. Cat owners, though, will have to call in advance and check whether there are any cat groomers available.
The full-service packages for dogs are split into two categories: bath and bath and haircut.
The former consists of shampooing and blow-drying, a 15-minute brush-out, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and anal gland expression. The groomer will finish off the job with a scented spritz as well.
The only difference between the bath and the haircut package is pretty obvious then; the latter includes a cut and style service suitable for the breed.
What sets Petco apart from some other similar companies is that it offers a gorgeous range of upgrades for eager pet owners. These are, once again, split into two categories: basic and spa.
First, there are the upgrades that ought to complement your pet’s care routine and tackle some simple issues, such as bad breath, rough paws, etc. They include:
The spa upgrades, which are available with any bath or bath and haircut combo, are a bit more specific and add more value to the overall Petco grooming cost for your pet. These are supposed to deal with some particular yet still common pet problems. As such, they consist of:
If your dog sheds like crazy, these packages ought to help tackle the problem. The groomer will use the FURminator® to get rid of the undercoat and shampoo and treatment designed to reduce shedding. Afterward, the pooch will get another brush-out and an aloe treatment.
Shed Release Plus includes everything outlined above with the addition of two other services: nail buffing and teeth brushing.
Naturally, since flea treatment is a must at any groomer’s, Petco offers it as a spa upgrade. The service includes shampooing and conditioning (with an emphasis on moisturizing), nail buffing, teeth brushing, and paw balm application.
Essentials Plus, on the other hand, is for dogs with routine needs. It consists of everything the Flea Cleanse has, and it includes an upgraded shampoo and conditioning routine.
Dry, flaky skin is a huge problem for some dog breeds and can cause lots of discomfort. Luckily, Petco cares about the most sensitive of dogs, so it offers an incredible upgrade that ought to resolve some of the itchiness and rejuvenate the skin. It includes a deep-cleaning shampoo, nail buffing, teeth brushing, and paw balm application. On top of that, the pooch will enjoy a mud bath and get a hydrating spritz as well.
Petco even offers a spa upgrade for stressed-out dogs that just want to unwind and ease the tension. Its Calm and Refresh option consists of a calming lavender shampooing and conditioning session, nail buffing, and teeth cleaning. The pup will also get a scented spritz, and some balm rubbed into its paws.
One of the best parts of Petco’s grooming services is that there are walk-in options for owners who need their pets to look incredible as early as today. Naturally, these include a variety of regular services but may cost more since you don’t have to make an appointment.
The walk-in services also include the Mini Make-Rover, which is essentially a quick makeover for your little furry friend. It includes a light paw shave and feet trim, teeth brushing (or a simple breath refresh), ear cleaning, nail trimming, nail buffing, and a scented spritz.
Finally, if you’re in a hurry, you can pay for the Express Service for some speedy grooming. This upgrade can be added to any full-service bath or bath and haircut option. It’s mandatory for Brachycephalic breeds, though, for safety reasons.
How Much Does Dog Grooming Cost at Petco?
The cost of dog grooming at Petco starts at $25 for a bath and goes up to $45 for grooming. However, the exact amount you will pay depends on the dog breed. We’ve done a bit of research for you:
| Breed | Bathing | Grooming |
| Extra small breeds | Starting at $22 | Starting at $38 |
| Small breeds | Starting at $26 | Starting at $42 |
| Medium breeds | Starting at $30 | Starting at $47 |
| Large breeds | Starting at $34 | Starting at $57 |
| Extra large breeds | Starting at $39 | Starting at $66 |
Petco also offers walk-in dog grooming services. They include:
How Long Does Petco Grooming Take?
The amount of time it takes to groom your pet will depend on the services that you select, the size of your pet, and its condition. A basic bath will take about 30 minutes, while full-service grooming for a big dog can take up to 4 hours. Petco recommends that you drop off your pet for grooming early in the day so that it can be done in a timely manner.
What is it Really Like To Work At Petsmart Grooming / Petco Grooming
What are the Petco grooming prices? Petco is a pet retailer that offers a wide variety of products and services for pets. Petcos mission is to provide superior customer service and products for pets and their families. Petco was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Petco has over 1,500 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico. Petco employs more than 25,000 people.
In addition to selling pet products, Petco offers a variety of pet services, including grooming, training, adoption, and veterinary care. Petco also offers a loyalty program called Pals Rewards, which gives members discounts on products and services.
Petco is dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their families. Petcos charitable foundation, the Petco Foundation, has raised over $100 million for animals in need. Petco also partners with animal welfare organizations to promote adoptions and help pets in need.
Pet parents often wonder how much it will cost to keep their furry family members looking and smelling their best. Grooming prices at Petco start around $45 for dogs and $55 for cats. Just a bath for a cat would start from $40 while it starts at $25 for dogs. Full-grooming services include baths, nail trimming, scent spritzes, and haircuts. You can get one free grooming session with the Petco Pals Rewards program.
Because every pet is different, the final cost of a grooming session will depend on the size and breed of your pet, as well as the specific services requested. However, Petco’s experienced and qualified groomers are dedicated to providing your pet with the highest quality care at an affordable price.
Petco understands that your pet is an important member of the family. Thats why they offer a wide range of grooming services to keep your furry friend looking and feeling their best. Petco dog and cat grooming services include everything from baths and brushes to nail trimmings and ear cleanings.
They also offer specialized services such as de-shedding treatments and breed-specific grooming. Plus, our talented team of groomers is experienced in handling even the timidest of pets.