Last verified 2026-04-24 by Jessica Brooks. We re-check this offer every quarter.
Petco’s Pals Rewards has been quietly handing out free pet birthday treats for years. If you sign your dog, cat, rabbit, or other pet up before their birthday month, Petco emails a coupon for one free pound of treats — worth up to $5.99 — that you can redeem at any US store. The whole program is free to join and the only thing you really need to remember is to enter your pet’s birthday accurately.
What you’ll get
- One emailed coupon per pet, per year, on or near your pet’s birthday.
- The coupon is good for a free pound of bulk-bin treats at Petco — typically biscuits, jerky strips, training treats, or small bags depending on what each store stocks.
- Maximum value $5.99. If you pick a treat that retails for less, you do not get cash back for the difference.
- Multiple pets on one account each get their own birthday coupon, so a household with two dogs and a cat can collect three free pounds of treats across the year.
- Pals Rewards members also earn points on purchases (currently 2 points per dollar) and access member-only coupons, but the birthday treat is the standout freebie.
Eligibility
- US residents. The Pals Rewards program runs at Petco stores in all 50 states plus DC and online at petco.com.
- Account holder must be 18 or older.
- Each pet needs a profile entered in your Pals Rewards account, including species, name, and birthday (or estimated birthday — for adopted pets, your best guess is fine).
- You must be opted in to marketing emails. The birthday coupon is delivered by email, so an unsubscribed account will not receive it.
- The free Pals Rewards tier is enough — you do not need the paid Vital Care subscription for the birthday treat.
How to claim it
- Go to petco.com and click “Sign In or Join.” If you already have a Petco shopping account, sign in — Pals Rewards is the default loyalty layer.
- If you are new, create a Petco account with email and password. Confirm your email.
- Inside your account, find “My Pets” or the pet profile section.
- Add a pet. Enter species, name, breed (optional), and most importantly the birth date. If you do not know the exact birthday, pick a date you can remember — Petco will use whatever you enter.
- Repeat for each pet in your household.
- Confirm you are subscribed to Petco marketing emails. The birthday coupon arrives by email — opt-out and you will not get it.
- Wait for your pet’s birthday month. Petco usually emails the coupon a few days before or on the birthday itself, valid for 14 days.
- Open the email, save the digital coupon to your phone, and bring it to any US Petco store. Pick a one-pound bag or scoop a pound from the bulk-treat bins.
What to expect after signing up
You will start receiving Pals Rewards emails immediately — typically a welcome offer plus weekly promotions. The birthday coupon arrives in the inbox you registered with, around your pet’s birthday. Some members report the email shows up the day-of, others a few days early. The redemption window is generally 14 days. If you miss it, the coupon does not roll over — you have to wait until next year. The treat redemption itself is fast in-store: scan the digital coupon at checkout along with your one-pound treat selection and walk out with it free.
Watch out for
Three things to know. First, the coupon is in-store only — you cannot redeem it on petco.com. If you do not have a Petco within driving distance, this offer is not for you. Second, the email is the only way to get the coupon. If you mark Petco emails as spam or unsubscribe at any point, you forfeit the birthday treat. Third, Petco’s marketing email volume is heavy. Expect at least one email a day during peak promotional periods. Some readers in past years have reported the birthday email never arriving — usually it turns up in spam or promotions tabs, so check there before giving up. If your account has the pet’s birthday entered correctly and you are still subscribed, the coupon should arrive.
FAQ
What if I do not know my pet’s real birthday?
Pick a memorable date and use that. Adopted pets often do not have known birthdays — Petco does not verify, so the date you enter is the date the coupon arrives.
How many pets can I add?
Up to nine pet profiles per Pals Rewards account, and each gets its own birthday treat each year. Free Pals Rewards covers all enrolled pets. The paid Vital Care plan covers one pet on the paid tier plus up to three additional unenrolled pets for the birthday treat benefit.
Can I use the coupon online?
No. The free pound of treats is in-store only at Petco and Petco-branded locations like Petco at Lowe’s. You cannot apply it to a petco.com order.
What treats qualify?
Most stores let you redeem against any treat from the dog or cat treat aisle, up to the $5.99 cap. Bulk-bin biscuits and jerky are the easiest to scoop to exactly one pound. Specialty items like dental chews or single-protein treats may be excluded depending on the store; ask the cashier if you are not sure.
What if my Petco closed?
Petco has been closing some locations in 2025-2026. If your nearest store is gone, the coupon is still valid at any other Petco — but if there is none within reach, the offer is effectively unusable. PetSmart’s free birthday program ended a few years ago, so Petco is currently the largest pet retailer offering this perk.
Final word
For under five minutes of effort, Pals Rewards delivers a real bag of treats every year per pet, and the program has run consistently for over a decade. The catches — in-store only, marketing emails required — are minor. If you have a Petco nearby and you do not mind another retailer in your inbox, sign every pet in the household up tonight and put their birthday on your calendar.
Last verified: 2026-04-24. Sample programs change — tell us if you find this offer is no longer available.