Petco Rewards: Guide to Vital Care, Points & Savings

Caring for pets is rewarding in itself, but it can also get expensive fast. That’s why the Petco Rewards Program has become such a big deal for pet owners who want to stretch their dollars while keeping their pets healthy and happy. Petco has restructured its loyalty system over the years, and today it all falls under Petco Vital Care, a membership with two tiers that offers everything from basic discounts to advanced care benefits.

If you’ve been asking yourself how to use Petco Rewards, what perks you actually get, and do Petco Rewards expire, this guide breaks it all down in plain language.

The Evolution of Petco Rewards

Petco first introduced its Pals Rewards program years ago, letting shoppers earn points for purchases and turn them into store credits. In 2023, Petco merged Pals Rewards with Vital Care, creating a single system called Petco Vital Care. This move simplified things by putting both free and paid membership options under one umbrella.

Now, there are two ways to participate in the Petco Rewards Program:

1. Vital Care Core: free to join, perfect for casual shoppers.
2. Vital Care Premier: a paid membership that unlocks deeper discounts, health benefits, and monthly rewards.

This setup allows pet parents to choose a plan based on how often they shop and how much care their pets need.

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Petco Rewards Program: Vital Care Core

Let’s start with the free tier.

How It Works

• You can join Vital Care Core online, in the Petco app, or right at the store. If you were already part of Pals Rewards, you’ve automatically been moved into Core.
• Every dollar you spend earns 1 point. Once you reach 167 points, you get a $5 Petco Reward. That’s roughly 3% back on your purchases.
• These rewards can be applied both online and in-store, directly through your account.

Do Petco Rewards Expire in Core?

Yes. With Core, your points expire after 90 days if you don’t make a purchase. Once your points convert into a $5 reward, you get 30 days to use it before it disappears. So, if you’re asking do Petco Rewards expire, the answer is definitely yes, and the timeline is short if you don’t stay active.

Extra Perks

Core members also have access to rotating benefits, such as:

• Free pet food after buying a certain number of bags.
• A free grooming service after several visits.
• Special birthday surprises for your pet.

For a no-cost program, it’s a solid way to save if you shop at Petco every so often.

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Petco Rewards Program: Vital Care Premier

If you’re a frequent Petco shopper or rely heavily on their services, the paid plan makes more sense.

Membership Fees

• Dogs and cats: $19.99 per month.
• Birds, reptiles, fish, or small animals: $9.99 per month.

Monthly Rewards

Every month, Premier members receive:

• $15 in rewards for dogs and cats.
• $5 in rewards for smaller pets.

This alone helps offset the membership fee if you’re already shopping monthly.

Health and Care Discounts

Premier members get consistent savings:

• 10% off dog and cat food, or 15% off food for other animals.
• 20% off dog grooming or 20% off cat litter.
• Unlimited routine exams at Vetco Total Care locations. If you use a different vet, you can still get $20 in rewards for up to two exams each year.

Do Petco Rewards Expire in Premier?

Yes, but the window is a little longer. Premier members get 45 days to use their rewards, compared to the 30 days in Core. Points, however, still follow the 90-day rule if your account goes inactive.

So, while the answer to do Petco Rewards expire is always yes, Premier gives you extra time and monthly credits that make it easier to keep up.

How to Use Petco Rewards

Once you’re part of the program, knowing how to use Petco Rewards is key to getting the most out of it.

1. Earn Points: Every purchase, whether online or in-store, racks up points. Don’t forget to log in or give your member info at checkout.
2. Convert Points to Rewards: Points automatically convert into $5 increments once you hit the threshold of 167 points.
3. Track Your Balance: The Petco app or website shows your points, available rewards, and expiration dates.
4. Redeem Online or In-Store: Apply rewards at checkout when shopping online, or have the cashier pull them up in-store.
5. Stack Discounts: Pair rewards with Petco coupons, sales, or your Petco Pay credit card to maximize savings.

The process of how to use Petco Rewards is straightforward, but the trick is staying on top of expiration dates so you don’t lose value.

Maximizing the Petco Rewards Program

If you want to get the most value from the Petco Rewards Program, here are a few practical tips:

• Don’t Let Rewards Expire: Remember, if you’re wondering do Petco Rewards expire, the answer is always yes. Set reminders on your phone so you never lose unused rewards.
• Shop Regularly: Even a small purchase every couple of months keeps your points alive.
• Use the App: The Petco app makes it easy to track balances, redeem rewards, and find exclusive perks.
• Consider Premier if You’re a Heavy User: If you already spend at least $30–$40 monthly at Petco, the Premier plan usually pays for itself with rewards and discounts.
• Stack Rewards With Sales: Using your $5 rewards during Petco’s buy-one-get-one sales or clearance events stretches your savings further.

Real Value or Just Marketing?

So, is the Petco Rewards Program worth it? The Core plan is a no-brainer since it’s free and still gives you back rewards. The Premier plan requires a closer look. For pet parents who buy food, litter, or grooming regularly, or who want routine vet care, Premier offers excellent value. But if you only pop into Petco once every few months, Core is probably enough.

The key is knowing how to use Petco Rewards to your advantage and keeping track of expiration rules. Once you build the habit, the program becomes a reliable way to save money while giving your pets quality care.

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Final Thoughts

The Petco Rewards Program has come a long way since the old Pals Rewards days. Now streamlined under Petco Vital Care, it gives pet parents flexible options for saving money and accessing care. Whether you stick with the free Core plan or upgrade to Premier, the system rewards consistency.

To recap:

• Petco Vital Care has both free and paid tiers.
• Points convert into $5 rewards, and those rewards do expire quickly.
• Knowing how to use Petco Rewards, and using them before they expire, makes all the difference.
• Premier members benefit most if they use grooming, food discounts, or vet care regularly.

At the end of the day, the Petco Rewards Program is only as valuable as you make it. Stay on top of your points, redeem before the deadline, and align your plan with your shopping habits, and your pets will thank you, and so will your wallet.