PetSmart penny and cash policy

What PetSmart does with cash totals

PetSmart said in a statement to Nexstar in October 2025 that stores are “temporarily asking customers to pay with exact change when using cash.” Customers can also choose to round their total up to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to PetSmart Charities. The round-up is optional.

PetSmart did not describe a nickel-rounding method, so a store without pennies may simply ask you for exact change or another payment method.

Does it vary by state?

If a PetSmart store does round, state rules apply: Arizona (when a seller is not using pennies) and Georgia require symmetric rounding of cash totals, and California will from July 1, 2027; Indiana lets a business choose any method. A charity round-up is a voluntary donation, not cash rounding, so it is not governed by those laws. In Washington you may pay the exact, unrounded total if you have the coins, and Georgia’s law requires merchants to accept exact payment including pennies.

Card vs cash

Card and app payments are charged the exact amount. The charity round-up is available whatever way you pay, and only if you choose it.

Tips for customers

• Bring exact change, pennies included, if you pay cash.
• You never have to accept the charity round-up; it is a donation.
• Pay by card for the exact price.

What the company has said

• “temporarily asking customers to pay with exact change when using cash” (PetSmart statement, to Nexstar)

Checked against the sources below as of October 31, 2026. Store policies change; if your store does something different, the sign at the register and your receipt are the best guide. Compare other chains on the store policies page, or check a total with the calculator.