About PetSmart
PetSmart Inc. is a privately held American chain of pet superstores that specializes in selling pet products, services, and small pets (like fish, birds, hamsters, and reptiles). Founded in 1986, it has grown to be one of the largest specialty pet retailers in the United States and Canada, with over 1,600 locations.
PetSmart offers a comprehensive one-stop shop for pet parents, providing:
- Products: Pet food, supplies, accessories, and proprietary brands.
- Services: Grooming, dog training, Doggie Day Camp, and PetSmart PetsHotel (boarding).
- Adoption: Facilitating dog and cat adoption through in-store adoption centers with the non-profit PetSmart Charities.
- Veterinary Care: Offering veterinary services via in-store third-party clinics (Banfield Pet Hospital in many locations).
PetSmart Affiliate Program Overview
The PetSmart Affiliate Program allows content creators, publishers, and marketers to earn a commission by promoting PetSmart’s wide range of products and services through unique referral links. It’s a key way for the brand to leverage the reach of pet-focused online communities. The program is generally managed through established third-party affiliate networks.
Here is a quick overview of the program’s key details:
| Factor | Description |
| Industry | Retail, Pet Care, Pet Supplies, Pet Services |
| Product Type | Physical Products (Food, Supplies, Accessories), Services (Grooming, Training, Boarding) |
| Affiliate Program Type | Cost-Per-Sale (CPS) |
PetSmart Affiliate Program Offers
The program provides affiliates with the necessary tools and guidelines to effectively promote the brand.
| Factor | Detail |
| Promotional Materials | Access to various creative assets like banners, deep links, and text links. |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 30 Days. This means if a user clicks your link, you earn a commission if they make a qualifying purchase within 30 days. |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Generally accepts blogs, content websites, social media (TikTok, YouTube, Instagram), and newsletters that are relevant to the pet niche. |
| Accepted Countries | Primarily focused on the United States and Canada (where PetSmart operates physical stores and its main e-commerce platform). |
| Explicit Content | Generally not accepted. Affiliate programs in this industry typically prohibit promotion on sites containing illegal, pornographic, or offensive material. |
| Religious or Political Content | Typically not accepted for promotional placement, as most large retailers require affiliates’ channels to maintain a non-controversial and brand-safe environment. |
PetSmart Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The financial aspects of the PetSmart affiliate program are typically handled through the managing affiliate network.
| Factor | Detail |
| MLM | No. The program operates as a standard affiliate marketing partnership, not a multi-level marketing scheme. |
| Commission Rate | Generally around 8% on eligible purchases. |
| Commission Structure | Percentage of Sale. You earn a percentage of the total order value for qualified purchases (including products and service bookings like grooming). |
| Payout Frequency | Often follows NET 60 terms (meaning commissions earned in one month are paid 60 days later) on a monthly basis, depending on the network. |
| Payout Methods | Can include options like Bank Transfer, Wire Transfer, Check, or PayPal, depending on the affiliate network used. |
| Minimum Payout | Typically a $25 minimum threshold is required before a withdrawal can be made. |
Suitable Affiliates for PetSmart Affiliate
The PetSmart affiliate program is highly suitable for anyone with a genuine connection to the pet-owning community. The brand welcomes partners who have a strong influence in the pet niche.
| Affiliate Type | Suitability | Notes |
| Bloggers | High | Ideal for pet-focused blogs writing product reviews, buying guides (e.g., “Best food for German Shepherds”), and service reviews. |
| YouTubers / Video Editors | High | Great for content like “PetSmart Hauls,” pet training videos, product unboxings, or comparing pet products. |
| TikTokers / Livestreamers | High | Excellent for creating short, engaging videos showcasing pets using PetSmart products, training tips, or “Shop With Me” content. |
| Influencers (Instagram/Facebook) | High | Perfect for sharing high-quality photos/videos of pets with products, integrating affiliate links into stories and posts, and driving traffic to high-ticket items (e.g., crates, feeders). |
| KOC (Key Opinion Consumers) | Medium to High | Suitable for those who share honest, authentic user experiences with their smaller, dedicated following. |
| KOL (Key Opinion Leaders) | High | Ideal for veterinarians, certified pet trainers, or animal behavior experts who can recommend products and services with authority. |
PetSmart Affiliate Software
PetSmart generally uses established, third-party affiliate management networks to run its program, rather than an entirely in-house software solution.
The program has been known to operate through major networks like FlexOffers and CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction). These networks handle the tracking, reporting, and payment processing for the brand.
3 Alternatives for PetSmart Affiliate Program
PetSmart has several major competitors in the pet supply and service market, each with its own affiliate program. Here is a comparison of PetSmart with three popular alternatives: Chewy, Petco, and BarkBox.
- Chewy: An online pet superstore known for its massive catalog, fast shipping, and popular autoship service.
- Petco: Another major brick-and-mortar and online retailer, similar to PetSmart, offering a wide range of products and services like grooming and veterinary care.
- BarkBox: A popular subscription box service focused on dog toys and treats, known for its high-value, themed boxes.
| Comparison Factor | PetSmart (Retail/Services) | Chewy (Online Retail) | Petco (Retail/Services) | BarkBox (Subscription Box) |
| Average Bill | Varies (High AOV on big items/services) | High (Driven by bulk food/Autoship) | Varies (Comparable to PetSmart) | Medium (Monthly subscription fee) |
| Entry Fees | $0 (Free to join) | $0 (Free to join) | $0 (Free to join) | $0 (Free to join) |
| Withdrawal Threshold | ~ $25 (Varies by network) | ~ $25 (Varies by network) | ~ $25 (Varies by network) | Varies (Often $10-$50) |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (Often NET 60) | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Commission | ~ 8% (on products and services) | ~ 4% – 7% (varies by network/product) | ~ 2% – 4% (lower than competitors) | $25 – $40 (Fixed CPA per subscription) |
| Conversion | Strong (High brand recognition, both products and services convert) | Very Strong (High customer loyalty, easy re-ordering) | Strong (High brand recognition) | Strong (Compelling subscription offer) |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Text Links, Deep Links | Banners, Text Links, Widgets | Banners, Text Links, Promotions | Banners, Unique Codes, Promotional Offers |
