14 Essential Pet Store Software Features To Look For [+ Top Providers]

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It’s 2025 — if your pet store isn’t using a modern point of sale (POS) system, you could be holding your business back. You might think, "We already have pet store software, so we’re set."

But only 19% of businesses use POS software that’s less than two years old — meaning your current system is likely past its end of life. With an average lifespan of about four years, an outdated system is slowing you down.

If you’re ready to simplify your daily tasks, this blog covers the must-have features to look for in pet store software — plus a breakdown of five top providers to help you get started.

Let’s dive in.

14 Essential Pet Store Software Features To Look For

Don’t stick with outdated pet store software because of long contracts, pricing concerns, or fear of change. A slow, inefficient POS can hurt your staff’s productivity, frustrate customers, and make daily operations more difficult than they need to be. To make the most of your pet store POS system, look for these must-have features.

1. Comprehensive Inventory Management

Keeping track of inventory is one of the biggest challenges for any business. Globally, businesses lose $1.75 trillion to poor inventory management. A modern POS system has the tools to help you effortlessly manage your pet store inventory, including:

Barcode scanning: Speed up checkout and ensure accurate stock updates with every sale — whether it’s premium dog food, aquarium supplies, or specialty pet toys.
Automatic reorder points: Set alerts for top-selling products like flea treatments, pet treats, and grooming supplies, so you never run out of customer favorites.
Real-time inventory tracking: Know exactly what’s in stock across multiple locations, from small pet accessories to bulk bags of pet food — even when managing inventory remotely.
Smart order tracking: Identify bestselling pet products and slow movers, ensuring high-demand items like leashes and fish tank filters are always available (while avoiding excess stock of seasonal items).
Integrated barcoding & customizable labels: Organize inventory with barcodes tailored to pet products to make it easier to track unique SKUs for different brands, sizes, and flavors.

With these features, you simplify inventory management, keep popular pet products in stock, and eliminate the hassle of manual tracking.

2. Flexible Payment Processing

Picture this: A customer walks in for a 50-pound bag of dog food, juggling their wallet while their excited pup tugs at the leash. They need to pay and get going — fast. Your POS system should make checkout effortless, whether they prefer tap-to-pay or good old-fashioned cash. Look for a system that accepts:

Credit & debit cards: Take quick, reliable transactions for everyday purchases.
Mobile wallets: Accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other contactless payments.
Cash payments: Offer this option for customers who still use cash, especially for small purchases like pet treats or toys.

The easier you make payments, the smoother the checkout — and the happier your customers.

3. Seamless Integration With E-Commerce

Running both a physical and online pet store shouldn’t mean juggling separate systems. The right POS software integrates with your e-commerce platform, keeping everything connected.

With real-time inventory syncing, customers won’t run into out-of-stock surprises, whether they’re shopping in store or online. A centralized order management system makes fulfillment easier, so you can ship from a warehouse or straight from your store.

Look for features like a mobile-optimized webshop and flexible shipping options, including flat-rate and price-based shipping. A seamless system ensures a smooth shopping experience for your customers — no matter how they choose to shop.

4. Real-Time Analytics and Reporting

Reporting is a standard feature in nearly all POS systems, but some offer more valuable insights than others. The level of detail you need depends on how deep you want to dive into your business data. Look for a system with custom reporting options, so you can focus on what matters most for your pet store.

Smart ordering reports help you track sales trends and identify top-selling products, making inventory management more efficient. Robust reporting tools give you a complete view of your operations, so you can make data-driven decisions and improve performance.

Some systems include 50+ built-in reports that cover everything from sales performance to customer behavior. Customizable online reporting tools let you analyze data in the way that works best for your business.

With real-time insights, you can spot trends, adjust pricing, and refine your product selection — keeping your store competitive and profitable.

5. CRM

People are moving away from the cold, impersonal experience of big-box stores. There’s been a resurgence in supporting small businesses because they offer something different — a personal touch. Customers feel welcome, they build relationships with staff, and they know they’re more than just a transaction. A strong customer relationship management (CRM) system helps you foster that connection.

Look for a system that includes:

Customer tracking & history: Keep detailed records of purchase history and preferences for personalized service.
Loyalty programs: Offer discounts, rewards, or gifts to encourage repeat business.
Automated reminders: Send alerts for grooming appointments, prescription refills, or product restocks.
Anniversary & birthday marketing: Celebrate customers with special discounts or promotions.
Customizable CRM fields: Tailor your database to track the customer details that matter most to your business.

With the right CRM, you create a welcoming environment where customers feel valued — and keep them coming back.

6. Employee Management Tools

Keeping your team organized is key to running a smooth operation, but managing schedules, tracking hours, and handling payroll gets complicated. The right pet store software makes employee management easier by offering:

Employee scheduling tools: Plan shifts, manage availability, and adjust for last-minute changes.
Time-tracking features: Monitor hours worked with accuracy, which reduces errors and manual calculations.
Payroll management tools: Streamline payroll processing, so your team gets paid correctly and on time.

With these tools, you spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on your customers and your business.

7. Cloud-Based Accessibility

A cloud-based POS system gives you the freedom to manage your pet store from anywhere. Whether you’re on the shop floor, at home, or meeting with a supplier, you can check sales in real time, monitor inventory levels, and access customer data from any device.

This flexibility keeps your business running smoothly, even when you’re not physically in the store. Plus, cloud-based systems come with built-in security features, ensuring your data stays protected while giving you the convenience of remote access.

8. Subscription Management Features

Pet owners love convenience, which is why subscription services for pet food, toys, and grooming supplies are more popular than ever. If your store offers recurring orders, your pet store software should include built-in subscription management tools. These features help you:

Track customer sign-ups: Manage new subscriptions and recurring orders.
Set up recurring billing: Automate payments for a seamless customer experience.
Manage delivery schedules: Ensure products arrive on time, every time.
Organize payment details: Store and update billing information securely.

These tools make sure customers never run out of their pet essentials, which keeps them happy and loyal to your store.

Related Read: 9 Tips for Profitable Pet Subscriptions

9. Loyalty Program Integration

Loyalty programs create a stronger connection between your store and your customers. They add a sense of exclusivity and make shopping feel more rewarding. Your pet store software should include:

Points-based rewards: Let customers earn points on purchases and redeem them for discounts or free products.
Birthday & special-event perks: Give customers exclusive discounts to celebrate special occasions.
Seamless loyalty program integration: Connect with platforms like Astro Loyalty to manage and track rewards effortlessly.
Purchase tracking: Discover buying patterns and offer personalized promotions.

When shopping feels like a game with real benefits, customers are more engaged and excited to come back.

10. Marketing Automation Tools

Reaching your customers shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. Built-in marketing automation tools make it easy to stay connected without the extra workload. Your pet store software should include:

Automated email campaigns: Announce sales on pet food, new arrivals in pet toys, or exclusive deals on grooming services.
Scheduled SMS messages: Send reminders for upcoming vet visits, grooming appointments, or subscription box renewals.
Loyalty rewards & special offers: Reward repeat shoppers automatically with discounts on pet treats, accessories, or premium pet food.
Online review management: Boost your store’s reputation by prompting happy pet parents to leave reviews about their experience.
SEO-friendly promotions: Improve your store’s online visibility to attract new pet owners searching for specialty products like organic dog food or interactive cat toys.

These features keep your marketing running in the background, so you can focus on helping customers find the best products for their pets.

11. Appointment Scheduling

If your pet store offers grooming or training services, built-in appointment scheduling is a must. A good system lets you manage bookings effortlessly by preventing double-booking and scheduling conflicts.

It also tracks payments tied to each service, so you always have a clear record of completed appointments. Automated reminders help reduce no-shows by sending pet parents a quick nudge about their upcoming visit.

With a reliable scheduling system, you keep your calendar organized and ensure every furry client gets the care they need.

12. Access to Pet Product Suppliers

Customer service is one half of the equation — the products you sell are the other. Staying up to date on pet product recalls and trending new items is key to running a successful pet store. The right POS system makes it easy to keep your shelves stocked with in-demand products.

Look for a system with a built-in catalog of over 100,000 items, giving you quick access to the latest pet food, toys, and supplies. A POS that connects you directly to suppliers streamlines ordering and strengthens your vendor relationships, so you’re always stocked with what customers want.

13. Security and User Access Control

Protecting customer and financial data is just as important as managing inventory or processing sales. Your pet store software should have strong security measures to keep sensitive information safe and prevent unauthorized access.

Look for a system with user access controls, allowing you to assign permissions based on employee roles. Data encryption protects payment and customer details, while two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security. A system with inherent employee security features — like activity tracking and role management — helps monitor user actions and ensures only authorized staff can access critical information.

14. Support and Training

Even the best pet store software won’t help if you don’t know how to use it. Choosing a system with strong support and training ensures you can get up and running quickly — and keep things running smoothly.

Look for software that allows you to:

Receive personalized training: Help you and your team learn the system efficiently.
Have seamless onboarding: Ensure a smooth transition without downtime or disruptions.
Get helpful resources: Access FAQs, tutorials, and step-by-step guides.
Discover responsive customer support: Assist you when issues arise.

Investing in software with great support saves time, reduces frustration, and helps you get the most out of your system.

You may not need every feature on this list, so don’t go for the cheapest option or the one packed with extras you never use. The best pet store POS system gives you the flexibility to choose the tools that fit your business — without paying for features you don’t need. Look for a system that lets you customize your setup, so you get exactly what works for you — nothing more, nothing less.

Top 5 Pet Store Software Providers

Now that you know the features to look for, let’s dive into some of the top pet store software providers to help simplify your day-to-day tasks.

1. eTailPet

Best for: Pet retailers who want an all-in-one solution designed specifically for their industry

eTailPet is built for pet stores, offering tools tailored to the unique needs of pet retailers. It includes CRM, appointment scheduling, subscription management, and a built-in supplier catalog. eTailPet also provides seamless e-commerce integration to help store owners manage both online and in-store sales from one platform.

Pros: Industry-specific features, strong customer support, built-in supplier connections, and customizable options
Cons: Custom pricing may not be ideal for small businesses with a tight budget.

Pricing: Custom pricing is based on features and services. Contact eTailPet for a quote.

2. Heartland

Best for: Pet stores that need strong inventory management and reporting tools

Heartland is a cloud-based POS system with advanced reporting, customer tracking, and multistore capabilities. It’s a solid choice for pet retailers that want a flexible and scalable system.

Pros: Strong inventory management, detailed analytics, and customizable workflows
Cons: Setup can be complex and pricing is on the higher side.

Pricing: Contact for custom pricing.

3. Lightspeed

Best for: Larger pet stores that need advanced analytics and multilocation support

Lightspeed is a powerful POS system with real-time inventory management, e-commerce integration, and detailed sales reports. It’s a great option for pet stores that need deep insights into sales trends.

Pros: Advanced reporting, strong e-commerce integration, and multistore support
Cons: It can be expensive for small pet stores and has a learning curve.

Pricing: Plans start at $89 per month. Discounts may be available for annual billing.

4. Shopify

Best for: Pet retailers who primarily sell online but have a physical location, too

Shopify POS systems seamlessly connect with Shopify’s online platform, which allows pet store owners to sync in-store and online sales. It offers simple inventory management and an intuitive user interface.

Pros: Easy e-commerce integration, simple interface, and scalable for growing businesses
Cons: It has limited POS features compared to industry-specific solutions, and transaction fees for non-Shopify payments.

Pricing: Plans start at $29 per month, with additional fees for advanced features.

5. Square

Best for: Small pet stores looking for an affordable, straightforward POS system

Square is an easy-to-use system that allows retailers to handle payments, inventory, and customer management. It’s a flexible option for businesses that don’t need highly specialized features.

Pros: No monthly fee for basic plans, easy setup, and support for multiple payment methods
Cons: It lacks pet industry-specific tools and has higher transaction fees for larger sales volumes.

Pricing: There’s a free plan available, with transaction fees starting at 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction. Subscription plans offer more features.

Get Essential Pet Store Software Features With eTailPet

eTailPet is the perfect solution for pet store owners who want all the must-have features in one seamless system. From comprehensive inventory management and flexible payment processing to CRM tools and real-time reporting, eTailPet is designed to meet the unique needs of pet retailers.

Its integration with e-commerce platforms and employee management tools ensures your store operates smoothly, whether you’re on the sales floor or managing from afar. With its robust security measures and outstanding customer support, eTailPet creates a secure and efficient environment for both your team and your customers.

Ready to see how eTailPet transforms your pet store? Schedule a free demo today to discover how the right pet store software makes managing your pet store easier.