You're halfway through prepping a massive honey-glazed ham when you realize the cat just knocked the last bag of prescription kibble into the floor vent. Or maybe you're out of those specific waste bags. It happens. Holiday mornings have a weird way of highlighting exactly what we forgot to buy. If you're frantically wondering is PetSmart open on Easter Sunday, the short answer is usually yes—but it’s a bit more complicated than a standard Sunday afternoon run.
Honestly, Easter is one of those "middle ground" holidays for retail. It isn't like Christmas where the entire world effectively stops turning. However, it also isn't a "business as usual" day like a random Tuesday in October. For 2026, Easter Sunday falls on March 29. While PetSmart historically stays open, your local store might be operating on a skeleton crew or closing its doors long before the sun sets.
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The Reality of PetSmart Easter Sunday Hours
PetSmart generally treats Easter as a standard work day, but with a "holiday lite" schedule. Most standalone locations across the U.S. and Canada will open their doors. You can usually expect them to welcome customers starting around 9:00 AM.
The real kicker is the closing time. On a normal Sunday, many stores stay open until 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM. On Easter Sunday, it is incredibly common for stores to pull the "closed" sign across the door by 6:00 PM.
Why the change? It’s basically a balance of corporate profit and employee sanity. PetSmart’s corporate policy (as seen in their internal benefits documentation) only lists six "paid holidays" where stores typically close or offer holiday pay: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Easter isn't on that list. This means for most associates, it's just another Sunday, albeit one where the manager might let everyone head home early to catch a family dinner.
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Why Your Local Store Might Be Dark
Don't just assume the lights are on because the website says so. There are three big reasons you might find a locked door:
- The "Mall Effect": If your PetSmart is attached to a major shopping mall, they are often at the mercy of the mall’s lease. If the mall decides to close for Easter—which many do—the PetSmart inside has to close too.
- Blue Laws: Kinda old-school, right? But in certain parts of New Jersey (looking at you, Bergen County) or small pockets of the Midwest and South, local ordinances still restrict retail operations on Sundays.
- Staffing Shuffles: If a specific location has a high number of employees requesting the day off for religious reasons, a store manager might opt for severely reduced hours just to keep the remaining team from burning out.
What About Grooming and Vet Services?
This is where things get tricky. Even if the retail floor is open, the specialized services inside might not be.
Banfield Pet Hospital and other in-store veterinary clinics often set their own schedules. If you have a medical emergency on Easter Sunday, do not assume your local Banfield is seeing patients. Many of these clinics operate on a reduced schedule or close entirely so their medical staff can have the holiday off.
Similarly, PetSmart Grooming salons are usually appointment-only. If you didn’t book that "Easter Bunny" trim two weeks ago, don't expect to walk in. Most groomers will finish their scheduled dogs and head home early. If the salon has no appointments after 2:00 PM, they probably won't stay open just to sell a bottle of shampoo.
The Pet Hotel Situation
If you're boarding your dog at a PetsHotel over the Easter weekend, don't worry. Those are staffed 24/7. However, check-in and check-out times are usually restricted to the store’s holiday hours. If the store closes at 6:00 PM, you can't show up at 7:00 PM to pick up Fido, even if there are people inside caring for the animals.
Comparing the Competition
It helps to know your backups. If your local PetSmart happens to be one of the few that closes, where else can you go?
- Petco: Generally mirrors PetSmart. They are almost always open on Easter with reduced hours.
- Target: Usually closed. Target is one of the few big-box retailers that consistently shuts down for Easter Sunday.
- Walmart: Almost always open. Most Walmart Supercenters maintain regular or slightly reduced hours.
- Tractor Supply Co.: Often closed. They tend to follow a more conservative holiday schedule.
How to Check Without Wasting Gas
The most reliable way to confirm is the PetSmart store locator on their official site. But here’s a pro tip: look at the "Services" section of the store page. If the Grooming or Salon hours show as "Closed," there's a high chance the retail side has shortened hours too.
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Alternatively, use the PetSmart app. It’s usually updated with holiday-specific hours about 48 hours before the actual date. If you're really in a pinch, just call. If nobody answers after ten rings at 10:00 AM, they’re probably home hunting for eggs.
Actionable Steps for Pet Parents
If you know you're going to need supplies around the Easter weekend, take care of it by the Friday before. The Saturday before Easter is notoriously chaotic in pet stores—second only to the days leading up to Christmas—as everyone rushes to get "Easter baskets" for their dogs.
If it's already Easter Sunday and you're out of luck, check your local Walgreens or CVS. They don't have a massive selection, but they almost always carry a few brands of basic kibble and wet food to get you through until Monday morning.
Always double-check your local store's specific closing time via the PetSmart mobile app or by calling the store directly before heading out on Easter Sunday afternoon.