Petco vs PetSmart: Which Has Better Holiday Freebies?
Free Santa photos on Dec. 12, Nov. tastings and $2 birthday points compared for holiday pet owners.
Petco has stronger holiday-season freebies for most shoppers, while PetSmart pays more for birthday-month pets. Petco centers November and December on in-store events with photos and samples. Holiday freebies here means no-purchase extras like photos, tastings and points.
Both chains limit them by store, date and membership. Check your local store page before you go.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
What do you get at Petco for the holidays?
Petco launched its 2026 Never Naughty, Always Nice campaign with hundreds of new pet gifts, about 70% priced at $10 or less. Petco said via PR Newswire in its Petco holiday campaign announcement that select stores will offer free pet photos with Santa on Dec. 12, 2026.
All stores get a Naughty vs. Nice Meter photo backdrop. Petco also lists free Petsgiving sampling on Nov.
21-22, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. Petco describes in its Petco store events schedule pet food samples, take-home recipe cards and holiday wellness tips at select stores. The sampling window is short, so plan for the posted hours.
What does PetSmart offer in November?
PetSmart lists a free monthly Birthday and Gotcha Day Bash for Nov. 7, with treats, photos and activities. PetSmart shows in its PetSmart events listing that the party is for pets celebrating that month.
The format suits a shopper with a November birthday or Gotcha Day pet. It is an in-store party, not a discount at checkout. Bring your pet during the listed event time.
What is the PetSmart birthday-month bonus?
Treats Rewards is free to join and adds 1,000 limited-time bonus points worth $2 in the pet birthday or Gotcha Day month. PetSmart explains in its PetSmart birthday and Gotcha Day guide that members also get one-time 2x points on treats. The points are limited-time and tied to that month.
You must be a member to receive them. Check that your pet birthday month is entered correctly before the month starts.
How do you claim these without a wasted trip?
All four extras depend on participating stores, specific dates and membership or email opt-in. The Petco sampling and Santa photo dates are fixed, and the PetSmart party is month-specific. Use these checks before you drive: Confirm the Dec.
12 Santa location in advance because only select Petco stores host it.
- Check your local store events page for date and participation
- Join Treats Rewards before the birthday month
- Bring your pet during the posted hours
- Ask staff about photo lines and sample availability