Working with animals is a dream come true. Some pet stores, such as Petco, offer competitive advantages that make these roles excellent for teenagers. So, how old do you have to be to work at Petco?
While you don’t need formal certification to work at Petco, Petco employees need to be responsible. After all, they’re liable for hundreds of small animals!
Typically, Petco hires adults, preferably with a high school diploma. Still, some Petco locations are open to hiring minors depending on the position.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Petco?
Petco specifies that you have to be 18 to work at most locations. However, there are exceptions to the rule.
This depends on the Petco location manager and the store’s needs. For example, a manager might be more lenient in hiring a 16-year-old if they’re short-staffed.
You’ll have a better chance of getting hired if you’re working during vacation, you’re in the process of getting a work permit, or you have previous experience working in retail or animal shelters!
- Does Petco Hire 14-Year-Olds? No, Petco has a mandatory age requirement. You must be at least 18 to apply for a job at Petco.
- Does Petco Hire 15-Year-Olds? Unfortunately, Petco doesn’t hire 15-year-olds. Luckily, there are numerous jobs for 15-year-olds you can choose from.
- Does Petco Hire 16-Year-Olds? 16-year-olds might land an entry-level job at Petco. Yet, this depends on the location and the hiring manager. Instead, you should try finding appropriate jobs for 16-year-olds.
- Does Petco Hire 50-Year-Olds? Yes! Petco employs individuals who are 18 and older with no maximum age limit.
Other Petco Hiring Requirements
Petco has plenty of roles that fit all experience levels and age groups. The best part about working at Petco is that they’ll give you sufficient training before you officially start.
You’ll also have constant supervision during the first few weeks until you get the hang of the job.
You don’t need any experience or specific skills to work at the pet store either. That’s why Petco roles are great 17-year-old work opportunities. You might apply when you’re 17, then land an entry-level job by the time you turn 18!
Still, any position at Petco involves working with animals. So, you must love pets and have basic knowledge of animal welfare.
Some skills you need to work at Petco include the following:
- Customer service skills
- Basic math knowledge to handle transactions
- Interest in animal welfare and health
- Great teamwork skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to multitask
Does Petco Hire Without Experience?
Yes. Most in-store jobs at Petco are entry-level roles. You don’t need any previous experience in retail or animal handling.
Does Petco Hire Without a High School Diploma?
Some job positions at Petco don’t require a high school diploma. However, if you’re looking to work in operations, or to advance your career at Petco, a GED or high school diploma would greatly help.
Teen Jobs at Petco
Most jobs at Petco are suitable for teenagers. After all, who wouldn’t want to hang out with cute pets all day?
Still, you have to evaluate your skill set to find the job that best suits you. Each role comes with different responsibilities.
Since this job involves animal welfare, you should be extra careful not to take on more than you can handle!
Here are the best jobs for teenagers that you can apply for at Petco:
1. Customer Service Associate
The customer service or sales associate role is one of the most accessible positions you can land at Petco. You don’t need prior experience and the responsibilities are simple.
As a customer service associate, you can work in specific sections, such as aquatics, or work in general sales. Either way, you’ll have to provide vital care to the pets, so you’ll still work with all the fluffy friends at Petco!
Requirements for Job
Age Requirements: at least 18 years old
Average Pay: $9.40 per hour
Customer service associates’ principal duty is to provide a pleasant experience. You must help customers choose the companion animals that suit them, so you should know all about different pets and their essential care.
The job also includes stocking pet food, operating the cash register, and adhering to Petco’s policies regarding customer service and loss prevention.
To be a good fit for this position, you must have the following:
- Customer-oriented personality
- Strong animal knowledge
- Excellent communication skills
- Teamwork skills
2. Operations Specialist
If you’re an introvert but still want to work with animals, you might want to check out the operations specialist role.
You can become an operations specialist without previous experience. Though, you might need a high school diploma and excellent math skills to be able to cope with the responsibilities.
Requirements for Job
Age Requirements: at least 18 years old
Average Pay: $15.14 per hour
Operations specialists are responsible for the merchandise. They must be aware of both the inventory and the sales.
As an operations specialist, you might also need to perform point-of-sales services, which include processing transactions, returns, and exchanges.
Operations specialists need to possess the following:
- High school diploma or GED
- Strong math proficiency
- Excellent teamwork skills
- Extreme attention to detail
3. Pet Groomer
If you adore pets and happen to have a creative side, pet grooming might be the right job for you! You don’t have to be a professional to apply for this position.
Instead, you can start by becoming a grooming salon apprentice and work your way up.
Each pet groomer has their style, yet they help animals all the same! It’s both a fun and fulfilling job.
Requirements for Job
Age Requirements: at least 18 years old
Average Pay: $12.52 per hour
Pet grooming is straightforward. All you need to do is style and groom pets according to their needs.
That said, you should communicate with pet parents to understand what they have in mind for their pets. You must also be able to identify any serious conditions in animals.
To become a pet groomer, you should have the following:
- A certification from Petco’s Stylist Apprenticeship Program or at least one year’s experience in pet grooming
- Great interest in animal wellbeing
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to multitask
4. Dog Trainer
There’s nothing more fun than working with puppies all day. Being a dog trainer is incredibly fulfilling. You’ll get to help pet parents by transforming their pup into a manageable companion animal.
You don’t need any previous certification to become a Petco dog trainer. Petco has an intensive program that’ll help you become qualified!
Requirements for Job
Age Requirements: at least 18 years old
Average Pay: $11.48 per hour
Dog trainers should have immense knowledge of different dog breeds and their temperaments. This way, they’ll be able to efficiently train them.
As a dog trainer, you should also identify the personality of the dog owner. For example, if a dog owner is old, you might need to train the dog to walk slower.
If you have the following, you’ll be suitable as a dog trainer:
- A certification from Petco’s Positive Dog Training program or at least one year’s experience in dog training
- Great interest in animal wellbeing
- Patient personality
Is Petco a Good First Job?
Entry-level jobs at Petco are worth it! This pet store offers growth and learning opportunities unlike any other.
You can start your job at Petco without experience. Then, you’ll get sufficient training depending on your role. You might also get certified to become a pet groomer or a dog trainer!
Petco benefits can vary depending on the position. Usually, Petco employees enjoy medical, dental, and vision plans. As a Petco employee, you’ll have a 401(k), disability assistance, insurance, and even relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to any other questions you might have about working at Petco:
What’s the dress code for Petco?
Petco has a specific uniform that all employees must adhere to. As an employee, Petco will give you their signature navy shirt. You’ll have to wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, appropriate pants or shorts.
Depending on the location, you might have to cover any tattoos or piercings you have. Some locations prefer employees to have natural hair.
What skills do you need to work at Petco?
The skills you need to work at Petco depend on your role. Generally though, you should have a passion for animal welfare, basic math knowledge, the ability to work as a part of a team, and excellent communication skills.
Alternative Companies to Consider
If you don’t meet the age requirement of Petco, you can still find alternative places to earn some extra cash. Here are similar companies you should consider applying to:
- Petsmart Age Requirements: Petsmart allows you to work with animals. This pet store is nearly identical to Petco, with over 1,600 locations across the U.S.
- Walmart Age Requirements: Working in retail is the simplest way to earn money as a teenager. Since Walmart is the largest retailer in the world, you’ll definitely find a job opening there!
- Target Age Requirements: There are a lot of job openings at Target that are suitable for all age groups. Regardless of where you live, there’s a Target near you.
Wrapping Up
How old do you have to be to work at Petco?
You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a position at Petco. That’s because most positions at the pet store require taking care of animals. Naturally, this is a huge responsibility for minors.
Still, if a Petco store is short-staffed, or if you’re applying during vacation, they might be open to hiring minors, as long as they have a valid worker’s permit.
