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Running a pet store means juggling a lot at once — and pen and paper only get you so far.
Modern point of sale (POS) solutions have taken over many of the tasks once done manually, from inventory management and checkout to customer communication. With so many options on the market, though, the choice can feel overwhelming.
As you compare platforms, look for features that match your store’s day-to-day operations — the better the fit, the more time and money you’ll save.
In this blog, we’ll cover the importance of pet store POS software, six key features, how to evaluate your options, and the top providers worth considering.
Why You Need Pet Store POS Software
Pet stores have unique operations compared to typical retail shops, and generic software wasn’t built for these tasks. Between managing live animals, grooming appointments, and specialty nutrition products, you need a system that speaks the language of pet retail.
Here’s why industry-specific software makes a difference:
- Provide the personalized service your customers expect: Once pet owners find a store they like, they’re among the most loyal customers in retail. To win them over, you need a system that tracks their last purchase, when their dog’s next grooming appointment is, or what their cat is allergic to.
- Speed up your workflow by eliminating workarounds: If you’re trying to manage training sessions, sell pet products online, and handle loyalty rewards, but your system can’t support them, you end up with manual processes that slow down service for your customers.
- Expand your business without limitations: You need pet store POS software that grows with you — multilocation management and catalogs with thousands of SKUs included.
A pet store POS built for the way you work helps you deliver the kind of experience that turns first-time visitors into loyal customers.
Related Read: 7 Pet Wellness Trends To Know in 2026
6 Pet Store POS Features To Look For
Owning a pet store means managing services, purchasing inventory, maintaining customer relationships, and fulfilling online orders — all at the same time. The right POS handles all of it so you can effectively compete with the big-box stores.
Look for these features as you evaluate your options:
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Service scheduling: Keep your grooming and training calendar organized with built-in booking tools that handle staff assignments and automated customer reminders.
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Pet vendor catalogs: Integration with pet-specific vendor catalogs gives you access to tens of thousands of products. Once you find the right items for your store, you can place orders and import product names, descriptions, and prices directly — so you never have to enter product details by hand.
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Astro Loyalty integration: Astro Loyalty is a widely used rewards program for independent pet stores. A POS system with this integrated service lets you offer promotions and perks that apply automatically at checkout.
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Customer relationship management (CRM): Staying in touch with customers builds loyalty and leads to repeat purchases. Look for a POS system that allows you to create customer profiles and communicate through SMS and email.
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Sales reports: Knowing how quickly items like pet food, supplements, or toys are selling helps you decide when to reorder and how much to buy.
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E-commerce: Selling pet products online expands your reach — from local delivery to shipping items across the country. An e-commerce platform connected to your website and inventory keeps your sales and stock counts accurate across both channels.
When your POS offers these features, you have smoother appointments, consistently stocked shelves, more loyal customers, and a business that’s easier to run.
Related Read: Pet Shop Products List: 10 Essential Items To Sell
How To Choose Pet Store POS Software
Finding the right POS provider for your pet store takes thorough research and knowing the right questions to ask.
Before committing to a provider, follow these steps:
- Research your options: Search for POS systems and prioritize industry-specific options as you narrow your list.
- Compare features: Look closely at what each provider offers and think about which features matter most for the way your store runs.
- Schedule a software demo: Evaluate the POS system through a live demo with a provider representative. This way, you can see it in action and ask questions about how it can work for your store.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll have enough information to make a decision with confidence.
Related Read: What's the Best POS System for Pet Stores? 9 Providers
Top Pet Store POS Software Providers
eTailPet
eTailPet is a cloud-based POS solution designed specifically for pet stores. It offers service scheduling, access to pet supplier catalogs with thousands of SKUs, and Astro Loyalty integration to keep customers coming back. Detailed reporting tools and a built-in e-commerce platform round out the feature set, giving you a complete picture of your business online and in store.
Pricing: Contact for custom pricing.
Best for: Businesses looking for pet-specific features
Square
Square is a general POS system that serves a wide range of industries, including retail, restaurants, and services. Its intuitive interface makes onboarding straightforward for you and your staff, and it includes banking tools for day-to-day operations. Square lacks pet-specific features, so it works best for pet store owners who need a flexible general solution rather than an industry-specific one.
Pricing:
Free Plan: No monthly fee
Square Plus: $49 per month
Square Premium: $149 per month
Best for: Stores looking for basic features they can start using quickly
Lightspeed
Lightspeed POS is ideal for retail, restaurants, and golf courses. It’s known for its powerful reporting tools and multilocation capabilities. The platform also offers e-commerce, inventory management, marketing, and service management tools — making it a capable general option for pet store owners who don’t need industry-specific features.
Pricing:
Basic: $89 per month
Core: $149 per month
Plus: $289 per month
Best for: Stores prioritizing e-commerce and multilocation management
Shopify
Shopify is a POS system that can adapt to many different types of businesses. It offers website building, online sales, and inventory management tools. It also connects to an app store, allowing you to add features to your setup. Like other general platforms, Shopify lacks pet-specific features out of the box — but its flexibility makes it a strong option for pet store owners with a heavy focus on e-commerce.
Pricing:
Basic: $29 per month
Grow: $79 per month
Advanced: $299 per month
Plus: $2,300 per month
Best for: Businesses who want a customizable system that connects to external apps
Clover
Clover is a general POS system designed for retail, restaurants, and service-based businesses. It offers inventory tracking, sales reporting, and employee management. Clover also sells its own branded hardware directly, giving you a fully integrated setup out of the box. Like other general platforms, it lacks pet-specific features — making it best suited for pet store owners looking for a flexible, hardware-inclusive solution.
Pricing:
Basic: $16 per month
Standard: $180 per month
Advanced: $240 per month
Hardware options come at an additional cost.
Best for: Shops looking for a system that offers proprietary hardware
Independent Pet Stores Thrive With eTailPet
If your current setup has you manually tracking inventory, scheduling appointments on paper, or managing in-store and online sales separately, there’s a better way — and the switch is easier than you think.
The difference between a POS that you can make work and one that fits comes down to whether it was built for pet retail.
eTailPet was designed with pet stores in mind. That means every feature — from vendor catalogs and service scheduling to Astro Loyalty integration — was developed around the day-to-day demands of running a pet store.
Schedule a demo to see eTailPet in action.
