5 Best Pet Store Rewards Programs (2026)

Did you know that 85% of American consumers are enrolled in some kind of loyalty program?

And yet, most independent pet stores either don't have one, or they have one that nobody uses.

That's a problem, because pet owners are repeat buyers by nature.

Food runs out. Flea meds need refills. Grooming appointments come back around. If you're not giving them a reason to come back to you, you're leaving the door wide open for Chewy.

A good loyalty program builds the kind of habit that makes your store the default choice.

But not all loyalty programs are built the same. Some are standalone tools, while others live inside your point of sale (POS) system. And only a few are designed with independent pet stores in mind.

In this blog, we’ll walk through five of the best pet store rewards programs so you can find the right fit.

Let’s dive in.

How Pet Store Rewards Programs Work

A rewards program gives customers a reason to keep coming back — through points, perks, or discounts tied to what they spend.

Most programs fall into one of five formats:

• Point-based: Customers earn points per purchase and redeem them for rewards once they hit a threshold.
• Spend-based: A reward unlocks after hitting a spending milestone (e.g., $200 spent = $10 off).
• Tier-based: Customers climb through levels — gold, platinum, etc. — and unlock better perks as they spend more.
• Fee-based: Customers pay a recurring fee for ongoing benefits like lower prices or free shipping — a good example of this is Amazon Prime.
• Punch cards: The classic buy-X-get-one-free model, either physical or digital.

The format matters less than the program fitting how your store runs. That's where POS integration comes in.

When your loyalty program lives inside your pet store POS system, everything is automatic — customer data, purchase history, rewards tracking. Programs that don't integrate with your POS create extra work for your staff and blind spots in your customer data.

Related Read: 6 Ideas for a Successful Pet Store Rewards Program

The 5 Best Pet Store Rewards Programs

Now, let’s look at the best pet store rewards program options.

1. eTailPet

Best for: Independent pet stores that want loyalty built into their POS system

eTailPet is a cloud-based POS system designed for independent pet stores. It includes a native loyalty and rewards program alongside built-in marketing, memberships, subscriptions, and services scheduling — so you manage everything from one platform.

eTailPet is also fully integrated with Astro Loyalty, giving you access to the pet industry's leading rewards network on top of its own built-in features.

Key features:

• Full Astro Loyalty integration
• Members-only discounts and promotions
• Subscription and membership management
• Integrations with the tools independent pet stores already use
• Built-in loyalty program with points, rewards, and customer tracking
• Marketing tools (email, SMS) connected to purchase history and loyalty data

Pricing: Request a custom quote based on your pet store's needs.

2. Astro Loyalty

Best for: Pet stores that want industry-specific rewards features and manufacturer partnerships — especially as an add-on to an existing POS

Astro Loyalty is built for independent pet retailers. It's one of the only loyalty platforms that offers direct manufacturer incentive programs, meaning your customers can earn rewards tied to specific brands.

Astro Loyalty integrates with select POS systems, including eTailPet, making it a strong complement to an existing setup.

Key features:

• Text, email, and social media communication tools
• Distributor credit programs exclusive to qualifying retailers
• Frequent buyer programs with manufacturer-funded rewards
• POS integrations available (including full integration with eTailPet)

Pricing: Loyalty plans start at $20/month.

3. Shopify

Best for: Retailers who are already running on Shopify

Shopify doesn't include a native loyalty program, but its app marketplace offers 400+ loyalty and rewards integrations you can bolt onto your store. This gives you enormous flexibility to find a program that fits — but it also means more setup work, additional monthly fees, and a system that isn't built with pet retail in mind.

If you're not already on Shopify, switching just for loyalty access may not be the best choice.

Key features:

• Access to hundreds of loyalty apps via the Shopify App Store
• Wide range of program types (points, referrals, tiers, and more)

Pricing: Apps are priced individually — some are free, others range from $20–$200+/month on top of your Shopify subscription.

4. LoyaltyLion

Best for: Retailers who want a standalone loyalty platform with deep customization

LoyaltyLion is a dedicated loyalty software platform that works independently of any POS or can integrate with systems like Shopify. It's feature-rich and highly customizable — you can reward customers for purchases, reviews, referrals, and social actions.

The tradeoff is cost. It's priced for mid-to-large e-commerce businesses and may be more than a small pet store needs.

Key features:

• Customer segmentation and analytics dashboard
• Integrates with Shopify, Klaviyo, and other platforms
• Rewards for purchases, referrals, reviews, and social engagement
• Multiple redemption options (discounts, free products, exclusive access)

Pricing: Plans start at $199/month.

5. Square

Best for: General small businesses looking for a simple, low-cost loyalty add-on

Square Loyalty is built into the Square POS ecosystem and offers a straightforward rewards experience. It's easy to set up and requires no third-party integrations.

That said, Square is a general retail platform — it has no pet-specific features, no manufacturer programs, and limited customization for businesses with complex inventory or service needs.

Key features:

• Customizable VIP tiers
• Limited-time or recurring promotions
• Text notifications for points and reward updates
• Integrated with Square POS and Square Online

Pricing: Contact Square for pricing.

Related Read: Pet Store Customer Loyalty 101: The What, Why, and How

What Makes eTailPet the Best Pet Store Rewards Program?

The difference comes down to simplicity and control. Instead of stitching together multiple tools, eTailPet gives you a loyalty program that’s fully built into your POS.

Here’s what sets it apart:

• Built into your POS: Apply rewards automatically at checkout
• Astro Loyalty included: Tap into manufacturer-funded rewards and distributor credits
• Marketing: Send targeted email and SMS campaigns tied to loyalty activity
• Memberships and subscriptions: Turn repeat buyers into predictable, recurring revenue

Want to see it in action? Book a demo with eTailPet today.