If you shop at Petco even semi-regularly, Vital Care can turn your everyday pet spending into real rewards—if you know what to earn, what to redeem, and what expires when. This guide walks you through the free tier vs. paid tier, how points convert to rewards, and the easiest ways to squeeze more value out of the program.

Before you stock up, check Groupon’s latest Petco offers to stack extra savings on top of your rewards.

What is Petco’s Vital Care program

Petco’s rewards program is called Vital Care. It has two tiers:

• Vital Care Core (free): Earn points on spending, access member perks, and get the every-8th-groom-free benefit.
• Vital Care Premier (paid): Everything in Core, plus monthly rewards, bigger service discounts, and additional benefits.

Two ways you can earn rewards

• Points-based rewards (Core + Premier): You earn points from eligible spending. Once you earn 167 points, you receive a $5 Vital Care Reward.
• Monthly rewards (Premier only): Premier members receive Vital Care Rewards monthly while their plan is active (amount depends on plan type).

Core vs. Premier, side by side

If you just want the fast answer: Core is great for casual shoppers. Premier is built for people who want steady monthly rewards plus service savings (especially grooming).

If you’re deciding on the paid tier, see the full breakdown here: Is Petco Vital Care Premier worth it?

How to earn points

Your goal is simple: earn points consistently and make sure rewards don’t expire before you use them.

• Earn rate: Earn points on eligible purchases.
• Reward trigger: 167 points earns you a $5 Vital Care Reward.
• What usually earns points: Pet food, supplies, toys, grooming services.
• What usually doesn’t: Gift cards and some promotional items.
• When points post: Within 2–3 business days after purchase.
• Where to check: Your Petco account in the app or on the website.

Double your points with Petco Pay

If you want to accelerate points, Petco Pay can increase your earn rate at Petco. For full details (and how it fits with Vital Care), see: Petco Pay credit card details.

Premier monthly rewards (what you get each month)

Premier adds a monthly Vital Care Reward on top of points-based rewards:

• Dog and cat plans: $15 in Vital Care Rewards each month
• Bird, fish, reptile, and small pet plans: $5 in Vital Care Rewards each month

These monthly rewards show up every month your plan is active—so if you’re considering Premier, the key question is whether you’ll use them consistently.

How to redeem your Vital Care Rewards

Once you earn a $5 reward (or receive a Premier monthly reward), redemption is straightforward:

• Online: During checkout, go to the payment section and apply your available reward
• In-store: Give the cashier your phone number (or ask to apply your available rewards)
• In the app: Available rewards appear when you’re logged in

Grooming perks worth knowing about

Grooming is one of the biggest “value levers” in Vital Care.

• Core + Premier: Every 8th groom free.
• Premier only: 20% off full-service grooming.

If you groom regularly, Premier’s 20% discount can turn into steady savings fast. Example: a $50 grooming session becomes $40—saving $10 each time—plus you can still earn points and apply rewards.

How to stack savings (the easy way)

• Use a deal first: Start with Groupon Petco discount codes.
• Then earn points: Make sure your phone number is attached to your account at checkout.
• Then redeem: Apply your Vital Care Rewards before they expire.

Getting help (and quick fixes)

If points or rewards aren’t showing up, do these quick checks first:

• Wait 2–3 business days after purchase for points to post.
• Log out and back into the app (or try checkout with your phone number in-store).
• Confirm you’re using the right account email/phone number.

Customer support

• Vital Care Core support: 877-738-6742, option 4
• Vital Care Premier support: 858-657-2035

Is Premier worth the monthly fee

Premier tends to make the most sense for people who can reliably use the monthly rewards and at least one additional perk (grooming discounts, nutrition savings, or veterinary benefits). If you want the full cost-and-perks breakdown—including the annual payment option—read: Is Petco Vital Care Premier worth it?