I went holiday shopping at Petco and PetSmart, and Petco's giant Hanukkah section made my day

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Talia LakritzNov 24, 2021, 03:34 IST
I went holiday shopping at Petco and PetSmart, and Petco's giant Hanukkah section made my day

I went to check out the holiday collections at Petco and PetSmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

  • I went holiday shopping for my cat at two competing pet stores: Petco and PetSmart.
  • Petco had tons of Hanukkah pet toys and other holiday items, while PetSmart had a smaller selection.
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My first stop on my hunt for a holiday present for my cat was the Petco near Union Square in New York City.

My first stop on my hunt for a holiday present for my cat was the Petco near Union Square in New York City.
Petco in New York City.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There are several Petco locations around Manhattan, but I chose this once since it was a short walk away from a PetSmart store. In total, Petco has more than 1,500 locations across the US, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, including some with veterinary hospitals.

The holiday pet toys were located right at the front of the store — just as one might expect for late November.

The holiday pet toys were located right at the front of the store — just as one might expect for late November.
Holiday-themed pet toys for sale at Petco.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Petco had holiday-themed pet outfits like Santa costumes on display.

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I was impressed by the wide selection of holiday toys across the store.

I was impressed by the wide selection of holiday toys across the store.
Christmas pet toys at Petco.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There were plenty of snowman and gingerbread man-shaped toys for both dogs and cats.

These pickle-shaped cat toys looked delightful.

These pickle-shaped cat toys looked delightful.
Pickle-shaped pet toys at Petco.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Hiding pickles on the tree is an American Christmas tradition, but there are conflicting theories about how it got started. Whatever the reason, these toys were very cute.

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Even the dog food buffet was decked out in tinsel and ribbon.

Even the dog food buffet was decked out in tinsel and ribbon.
The dog food buffet at Petco was decorated for the holidays.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Petco also featured a deli with fresh refrigerated dog food.

The lower level of Petco featured supplies for fish and birds, as well as a grooming salon for dogs.

The lower level of Petco featured supplies for fish and birds, as well as a grooming salon for dogs.
The lower floor of Petco.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The railings of the staircase between the floors were also decorated with tinsel.

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As I walked further into Petco, I was so excited to find a large shelf full of Hanukkah-themed pet toys.

As I walked further into Petco, I was so excited to find a large shelf full of Hanukkah-themed pet toys.
I loved Petco's Hanukkah toy display.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I celebrate Hanukkah, and I am always thrilled when it's represented in holiday displays with more than just a token menorah.

This wasn't just a few Hanukkah items — it was a three-sided display shelf full of different toys to choose from.

In particular, I loved the latke and jelly doughnut-shaped catnip toys.

In particular, I loved the latke and jelly doughnut-shaped catnip toys.
Latke and jelly doughnut-shaped cat toys at Petco.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Fried foods like latkes and jelly doughnuts are traditionally eaten on Hanukkah.

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I got a gefilte fish wand toy and a Hanukkah-themed set that included a mouse wearing a yarmulke.

I got a gefilte fish wand toy and a Hanukkah-themed set that included a mouse wearing a yarmulke.
My Petco purchases.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The set also featured a stuffed piece of gelt (chocolate coin) and a ball with a bell inside. Each toy cost $6.99, bringing the total with tax to $15.22.

My next stop was PetSmart, located about an eight-minute walk from Petco.

My next stop was PetSmart, located about an eight-minute walk from Petco.
PetSmart in New York City.Talia Lakritz/Insider

As far as I could tell, this Flatiron location is the only PetSmart store in Manhattan.

There are 1,500 stores in the US, with some offering services including boarding, grooming, and veterinary care.

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The holiday-themed pet products weren't situated at the entrance of the store.

The holiday-themed pet products weren't situated at the entrance of the store.
The view upon walking into PetSmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Instead, there was pet food and an advertisement for PetSmart grooming services.

PetSmart had a solid holiday collection, but not as wide of a selection as Petco.

PetSmart had a solid holiday collection, but not as wide of a selection as Petco.
Christmas toys on display at PetSmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Santa, wreath, and Christmas tree-shaped plush toys were on display.

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While the holiday selection at PetSmart wasn't as large, they did have a few unique items, like a cardboard cat-sized gingerbread house.

While the holiday selection at PetSmart wasn't as large, they did have a few unique items, like a cardboard cat-sized gingerbread house.
A cat gingerbread house at PetSmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The gingerbread house retailed for $19.99.

PetSmart also had some cute dog-friendly holiday cookies, which I hadn't seen at the Petco I visited.

PetSmart also had some cute dog-friendly holiday cookies, which I hadn't seen at the Petco I visited.
More Christmas toys.Talia Lakritz/Insider

While they weren't any cookies for cats, dog owners might enjoy gifting their pets a festive treat.

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However, PetSmart's Hanukkah section was much smaller than Petco's.

However, PetSmart's Hanukkah section was much smaller than Petco's.
The small Hanukkah section at PetSmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

All of the Hanukkah items on PetSmart's one Hanukkah shelf — bandanas, plush toys, and tennis balls — were designed for dogs.

The checkout line at PetSmart featured more plush holiday toys.

The checkout line at PetSmart featured more plush holiday toys.
Items on display in the checkout line at PetSmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Again, most of them were designed for dogs and not cats.

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Since there were no Hanukkah cat items, I bought similar Christmas-themed toys as I had at Petco: a snowman wand toy and a set that included a toy mouse and balls.

Since there were no Hanukkah cat items, I bought similar Christmas-themed toys as I had at Petco: a snowman wand toy and a set that included a toy mouse and balls.
My PetSmart purchases.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Both items came out to $17.45 — slightly more expensive than Petco, but the toy set included more pieces.

I preferred holiday shopping at Petco because of its wide selection, including more cat and Hanukkah-themed items.

I preferred holiday shopping at Petco because of its wide selection, including more cat and Hanukkah-themed items.
My Petco and PetSmart purchases.Talia Lakritz/Insider

If you're looking for more unique items, like dog holiday cookies or cat gingerbread houses, then PetSmart would be the way to go. But for my purposes, Petco had more options for cats and a Hanukkah section that made my day.

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