Petco

Reviews

• JC

  Janet Cornell

  2 days ago
  5.0
  Always had great deals and the best, most helpful employees.
• MS

  Michelle Stelken

  3 days ago
  5.0
  Christina the general manager is great! I just adopted a dog from the humane society and the harness I bought didn’t fit right. I brought it back and she asked if she could help. I explained the problem I was having and she helped me find a harness that had a better fit and put it on my dog for me to make sure it fit comfortably. She helped me in a timely manner as well. The whole thing of finding a harness and putting it on took about 5 minutes. She was so quick at adjusting it! This isn’t my first positive encounter with her and the staff either. Another time they were out of the cat food I needed and I didn’t want to buy a small bag because it’s so pricey for the size. So they did the math to give me the same amount of pounds in the little bags that would be in the large bag and charged me for the big bag price. Appreciated that so much! By far the best staff at any store in Dubuque.
• JP

  Jeffrey Puccio

  Jun 17, 2026
  1.0
  I’ve been a customer here for years for both saltwater and reef aquarium supplies. Ryan was always knowledgeable, helpful, and gave advice that aligned with accepted marine aquarium standards. Unfortunately, my recent experience with the new staff was the complete opposite. During my visit, I was told that a reef tank should be maintained at 22 ppt salinity. This is simply not accurate. Standard reef aquariums are generally maintained between 33–35 ppt (1.024–1.026 specific gravity), which closely matches natural seawater. A salinity of 22 ppt is nearly 40% lower than natural reef conditions and would be considered far outside the recommended range for a reef aquarium. What concerns me most is that this information is being given to customers as fact. New hobbyists rely on aquarium stores for guidance, and inaccurate advice regarding something as basic as salinity can lead to stressed livestock, failed acclimation, and unnecessary losses. I was also told that certain fish species could not coexist, despite numerous reputable marine aquarium sources stating otherwise and despite my own successful firsthand experience keeping those species together. While compatibility can vary by individual fish and tank size, presenting blanket statements as absolute facts is misleading. It also appears many of the store’s fish are being held at approximately 22 ppt salinity. While some stores use reduced salinity systems to help manage disease pressure and lower osmotic stress, that does not mean 22 ppt is an appropriate target salinity for a reef aquarium. When customers purchase livestock from water that far below natural seawater levels and then introduce them to properly maintained reef systems, the larger salinity difference can make acclimation more difficult and increase stress if not handled carefully. Fish may survive at 22 ppt, but surviving and thriving are two very different things. The accepted standard throughout the marine aquarium hobby is approximately 35 ppt for reef systems, and that recommendation exists for a reason. Between the inaccurate information, questionable husbandry advice, and unwillingness to acknowledge concerns, this was easily the most disappointing experience I’ve had here. I’ve spent a significant amount of money at this store over the years and have always tried to support local businesses, but unfortunately this visit convinced me it will be my last. I sincerely hope management invests more time in training staff on basic marine aquarium parameters and livestock care so future customers receive accurate information and can be successful in the hobby. The most shocking part was being told that any tank is “too high” at 30 ppt. Any experienced reef keeper knows that 30 ppt is already on the low side for a reef aquarium, with most successful reef systems maintained around 33–35 ppt. I was then advised to lower my salinity all the way down to 20–22 ppt. At that point I honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or be concerned. That’s not a minor difference of opinion—that’s advice that is drastically outside accepted reef aquarium standards. On one more note That’s probably why half the fish are dead when I see them in the Tank. Have multiple photos..
• GD

  Gwen Deutsch

  Jun 16, 2026
  2.0
  Do not buy dog food from petco, multiple bags of Acana dog food was expired!!
• WS

  William Shaker

  May 13, 2026
  5.0
  Cat distribution system hit and I got all the help I needed from the local Petco. Thank you to the wonderful employees on May 9th!

Frequently Asked Questions About Petco