20 Top Pet Companies

How to choose a pet supply store, vet or breeder

Pet purchases range from a bag of food to a living animal, and the checks you need differ a lot between them. What they share is that the animal cannot tell you when something is wrong, so the company's care and honesty matter.

Pet food and supplies

• Autoship: repeat-delivery discounts are common. Check how to skip, change or cancel a delivery.
• Recalls: follow product recall notices for pet food in your country, and keep the packaging until a bag is finished.
• Prescription diets and medicines: a legitimate seller will need a vet's approval for prescription products.
• Returns on opened food: some stores accept returns if a pet refuses a new food; others do not.

Buying or adopting an animal

A responsible breeder or rescue will usually let you meet the animal, or at least see it on a live video call, and will provide health records, vaccination details and a written contract. Ask about health guarantees and what happens if the animal develops a condition later. Rules on selling and transporting animals vary by country and region.

Be very cautious if a seller cannot be visited, asks for payment by wire transfer, gift cards or crypto, and then asks for further fees for shipping crates, insurance or vaccinations. That is a common pattern in fake pet sales. A breeder's CandorRated page can help here: a site registered a few weeks ago with no phone number or address is a reason to slow down.

Vets, groomers and pet transport

Ask for a written estimate before treatment where possible, and what happens if costs rise. For pet transport, check what licences or permits the route requires, how animals are cared for during travel and the cancellation terms.

Common problems and how to avoid them

• Live animals arriving unwell: know the seller's guarantee and see a vet promptly after arrival.
• Unexpected vet bills: ask for an itemized estimate and approve extra work before it is done.
• Autoship charges you forgot about: review active subscriptions in your account regularly.

Use the country and city filters to find vets, groomers and breeders near you, so you can visit in person.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a puppy or kitten seller is genuine?

Visit or video call, meet the mother if possible, ask for health records and a contract, and avoid payment methods that cannot be reversed.

Can I return pet food my pet won't eat?

Some stores allow it, often with conditions. Check the returns page before you order a large bag.

Are online pet pharmacies legitimate?

Many are. A legitimate one will ask for a vet's prescription for prescription medicines and show contact and licensing details.