Petco gives you 30 days to return most items, extended to 60 days for Vital Care members, and backs live fish, invertebrates, and plants with a 7-day "Stay Alive" guarantee.
The 7-Day Stay Alive Guarantee for Aquatic Life
If a fish, invertebrate, or live plant dies within 7 days of purchase, Petco will refund you in full — a distinctly pet-store version of a satisfaction guarantee. Vital Care members get a further benefit on the merchandise side: the standard 30-day return window extends to a full 60 days, and Petco can typically pull up your purchase history automatically through the membership, removing the usual receipt hassle.
| Standard return window |
30 days from purchase, with a receipt, for a full refund |
| Vital Care members |
60 days instead of 30, plus automatic purchase history lookup, reducing reliance on a physical receipt |
| Live fish, invertebrates, and plants ("Stay Alive" guarantee) |
Full refund if the animal or plant dies within 7 days of purchase |
| Companion animals (small pets) |
Returnable with a receipt within 30 days for a full refund |
| Without a receipt |
Can be difficult — Petco strongly recommends keeping the receipt or joining Vital Care/rewards for automatic purchase tracking |
Rules can vary slightly by location, especially for live animal returns. Confirm current details at your local Petco or petco.com before returning an item.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you have to return something to Petco?
30 days from purchase with a receipt, extended to 60 days for Vital Care members.
What is Petco's Stay Alive guarantee?
If a fish, invertebrate, or live plant dies within 7 days of purchase, Petco will refund you in full.
Do I need a receipt to return something to Petco?
It's strongly recommended — a receipt makes returns much easier, though Vital Care or rewards members can often have purchases looked up automatically.
Does Petco's return window get longer with a membership?
Yes. Vital Care members get 60 days instead of the standard 30.
