The PetSmart logo is one of the most recognized symbols in pet retail. It represents a company founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1986, which started out selling discount pet food.
PetSmart is now among North America’s largest specialty pet retailers, with more than 1,600 stores. It’s privately held by BC Partners and Apollo Global Management.
The current logo arrived with a 2005 rebrand. Before that, the company went through two other names and at least four logo versions.
Understanding what makes a logo effective helps explain why PetSmart’s design works so well in crowded retail spaces, and why people still argue about how to read it.
What Is the PetSmart Logo?
The PetSmart logo is an arched wordmark with “Pet” in red and “Smart” in blue, plus a red bouncing ball above the S and a blue arc tracing its path. The current version dates from the 2005 rebrand from PETsMART to PetSmart, and no designer or agency has been publicly credited.
| Symbol | Red bouncing ball with a blue arc (no dog or cat in the logo) |
| Designer/agency | Not publicly credited |
| Current version since | 2005 |
| Colors (hex) | Red #DD2834 and blue #206EF6 (website logo file); older files show #E51837 and #0064B1 |
| Typeface | Custom-looking arched lettering; no typeface officially named |
| Previous major version | PETsMART in red with a small s and a bouncing ball (1989-2005) |
How Has the PetSmart Logo Evolved Over Time?
PetSmart’s visual identity has changed along with its name. It started as PetFood Warehouse, became PETsMART and finally PetSmart.
The company was founded by Jim and Janice Dougherty on August 14, 1986 and opened its first two stores in the Phoenix area in 1987, although some histories give 1986 for those too. Logo dates below come from logo-history sites, as the company hasn’t published its own timeline.
Old Pet Food Warehouse Logo (1986-1988)
The earliest logo was heavy black text reading “Pet Food Warehouse Ltd.” in two lines. Sources describe it in slightly different ways, but it is plainly a discount warehouse look with no pet imagery.
No designer is known.
Old PetsMart Bone Logo (1988-1989)
A short-lived black-and-white logo had large “PETS” lettering beside a smaller “MART,” with “Petfoods” inside a bone shape. Logo-history sites say it lasted only months.
Old PETsMART Logo (1989-1992)
The company adopted the PETsMART name in 1989 under CEO Sam Parker. The new logo was red, with arched capitals, a tiny “s,” and a red ball bouncing above it with a blue trail.
This is where the famous confusion starts. The small “s” was meant to separate “Pets” and “Mart.” It was a big-format pet store, and that’s what the name said.
Revised PETsMART Logo (1992-2005)
Logo-history sites show a mild refinement here, with adjusted letter contours and stronger color. The ball and arched shape stayed.
The company went public in July 1993, opened in-store Banfield clinics starting with a 1994 deal, and formed PetSmart Charities that same year. This logo was the face of that growth.
Current PetSmart Logo (2005-Present)
The biggest change came in 2005. The company dropped the mid-word styling and became PetSmart. The eight letters stayed the same, but they now read differently.
“Pet” turned red and “Smart” turned blue, and the S grew to normal size. The aim was to present the company as a pet care expert rather than a discount warehouse, with services getting more attention.
No designer has been publicly credited.
What Do the Design Elements of the PetSmart Logo Mean?
The split wordmark is the key idea. Coloring the two parts differently tells you to read “Pet Smart,” not “Pets Mart.”
The ball gives the logo its playfulness. As far as PetSmart has said, it isn’t hiding anything.
Why Did PetSmart Choose These Specific Colors?
Reports say the 2005 color split was there to make the new reading clear. Beyond that, the meanings below are general interpretation.
Based on color psychology, red tends to signal energy and action, which suits a busy retail space.
Blue is often linked with trust. That fits a business selling grooming, training and pet care services alongside its products.
Together, these colors balance energy with reliability. Your mileage may vary on which one stands out more to you personally.
What Typography Style Is Used in the PetSmart Logo?
PetSmart hasn’t named a typeface. The logo’s heavy, angular sans-serif font follows an arch, so it’s best described as custom-looking lettering.
Logo sites disagree. Logos-World names Futura ExtraBlack, while 1000 Logos suggests Clarika Pro Geometric Ultra or Phosphate Pro Solid as near matches. Neither claim is confirmed.
The tall capitals don’t really use an x-height at all, because the whole word is uppercase, and that helps at a distance.
Over time, the typography has become more even, especially once the tiny “s” disappeared.
What Are the Hidden Meanings in the PetSmart Logo?
People have long read the ball and arc as an apostrophe, or as a sign the name is “Pet’s Mart.”
PetSmart’s senior vice president of marketing, Bradley Breuer, told Newsweek the mark “is just a bouncing ball, not an apostrophe.” So there’s your answer on the ball.
The name debate went viral again through comedian Ben Lapidus. In March 2026 PetSmart posted on TikTok: “It’s Pet Smart, case closed.”
The lack of a specific animal also matters. Dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles and small pets all fit under a bouncing ball.
How Does the PetSmart Logo Compare to Competitor Logos?
PetSmart’s red and blue make it loud compared with its main rival.
Petco uses a calm, lowercase navy wordmark in the image above. It feels quieter. PetSmart’s approach is bolder and more energetic.
Chewy uses a different visual language, with a rounded blue wordmark that suits an online retailer. PetSmart bought Chewy in 2017, and the two had become independent of each other by 2021.
Among red logos in retail, PetSmart holds its own, and half of its wordmark is blue. The color choice creates strong storefront visibility.
What Are the PetSmart Logo Colors?
PetSmart’s logo is red and blue, with white as the usual background. Two sets of values are in circulation:
- Current website logo file: red #DD2834 and blue #206EF6.
- Widely repeated older values: red #E51837 and blue #0064B1, as in the swatches above.
We found no published brand guide, so use the website values if you need a match to today’s mark. PetSmart hasn’t published Pantone or CMYK references that we could find, and the RGB numbers simply follow from the hex codes.
Whether it’s print design or web work, vector graphics stay sharp, and the website does use an SVG logo. Raster images need a high enough DPI for the job.
What Cultural Impact Has the PetSmart Logo Had?
The logo has become shorthand for pet retail in America. It has also created one of retail’s longest-running pronunciation arguments.
PetSmart Charities, formed in 1994 as a separate nonprofit, uses its own related mark. It works with animal shelters on pet adoption, and it’s the place you’re most likely to see the name outside a store.
And the “Pet Smart vs. Pets Mart” debate reached a much wider audience in 2026, thanks to Lapidus and his parking-lot rally in Sherman Oaks.
How Does the PetSmart Logo Fit Into the Overall Brand Identity?
The logo anchors much of what you see. Gift cards like these, store signs and the website all draw on the same red and blue.
PetSmart’s internal brand guidelines aren’t public, so we can’t quote specific rules.
Service names such as Grooming Salon and Doggie Day Camp have their own marks on PetSmart’s website, so they can signal specific services under the parent name.
The color palette extends into marketing too. In most of the examples here, red and blue stay central.
How Should the PetSmart Logo Be Used?
This is general advice, not official guidance from PetSmart.
- For editorial use, show the logo accurately to identify the company.
- Don’t change its colors or proportions, or add shadows and outlines.
- Don’t imply that PetSmart endorses you.
- Don’t use it on anything you sell without permission.
The PetSmart name and logo are trademarks of the company, and PetSmart has filed many trademark applications over the years. If you’re a vendor or partner, ask your PetSmart contact for approved files.
FAQ on the PetSmart Logo
What Does the PetSmart Logo Look Like?
The PetSmart logo is a two-tone wordmark. “Pet” appears in red, “Smart” in blue, with a red ball above the S and a blue arc behind it.
The heavy capitals follow an arch. No dog or cat appears in the main logo.
When Was the Current PetSmart Logo Introduced?
PetSmart introduced its current logo in 2005, when the company changed its name styling from PETsMART to PetSmart.
The change came with a shift from discount warehouse to pet care expert.
Who Designed the PetSmart Logo?
No designer or agency has been publicly credited for any PetSmart logo that we could find.
Founders Jim and Janice Dougherty started the company, but there is no evidence that they designed its logos.
What Do the Colors in the PetSmart Logo Mean?
Red and blue split the name so you read “Pet Smart.” Red is often linked with energy and blue with trust, though that is general interpretation.
They aren’t a true complementary color scheme, but the pair gives strong contrast on signs and packaging design.
Is It Pet Smart or Pets Mart?
Today it’s Pet Smart. PetSmart said so on TikTok in March 2026: “It’s Pet Smart, case closed.”
Historically, both were fair. The 1989 PETsMART logo pointed to “Pets Mart,” and the 2005 rebrand changed the reading.
Why Did PetsMart Change Its Name to PetSmart?
The 2005 change moved the emphasis from “Mart” to “Smart.” The company wanted to be seen as a pet care expert, not only a discount warehouse.
The storytelling shifted toward services such as grooming and training.
What Font Does PetSmart Use in Its Logo?
PetSmart hasn’t named a typeface for its logo. It looks like customized heavy capitals on an arch.
Sites suggest Futura ExtraBlack or Clarika Pro Geometric Ultra, but these are unconfirmed. Font spacing is tight, which suits a single word on a sign.
Is the Ball on the PetSmart Logo an Apostrophe?
No. PetSmart’s Bradley Breuer told Newsweek it “is just a bouncing ball, not an apostrophe.”
What Is the Meaning Behind the PetSmart Logo Design?
The two colors separate “Pet” and “Smart,” and the ball adds a sense of play.
In line with basic logo design principles, it stays simple, and it doesn’t favor any one animal.
What Did the Old PetSmart Logo Look Like?
The old PETsMART logo (1989 to 2005) was mostly red, with arched capitals, a very small “s” and a bouncing ball with a blue trail.
Before that came a black bone-themed mark (1988 to 1989) and black Pet Food Warehouse text (1986 to 1988).
Can I Use the PetSmart Logo for My Business?
No, not without permission. Using a company’s logo in a way that suggests a connection can create trademark problems.
Vendors and partners should ask PetSmart directly. No public brand style guide covers this.
Conclusion
The PetSmart logo tells a story of transformation. From PetFood Warehouse in Phoenix to one of North America’s largest pet retailers, the visual identity evolved alongside the business.
That red and blue wordmark now appears on more than 1,600 storefronts. It also connects to PetSmart Charities adoption work, and to the veterinary hospitals many stores host.
Good retail branding does more than look nice. It builds recognition and trust over decades.
The current design works because it stays simple. Pet owners see it and know what to expect inside, even if a few of them still say “Pets Mart.”
Sources
- Yahoo Entertainment, PetSmart Finally Settles the ‘Pet Smart’ vs. ‘Pets Mart’ Debate – https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/petsmart-finally-settles-pet-smart-124603652.html
- Ryan R. Miner, PetSmart’s 21-Year Branding Failure Nobody Is Talking About – https://ryanrminer.com/petsmart-branding-ben-lapidus/
- Pet Insight, Special Report: PetSmart’s 40th Anniversary – https://pet-insight.com/article/special-report-petsmarts-40th-anniversary/
- Secure Your Trademark, The PetSmart.com Trademark – https://secureyourtrademark.com/blog/the-petsmart-com-trademark/
- Logos-World, PetSmart Logo – https://logos-world.net/petsmart-logo/
- 1000 Logos, PetSmart Logo – https://1000logos.net/petsmart-logo/
- Wikipedia, PetSmart – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PetSmart
- PetSmart, Official website – https://www.petsmart.com/
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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Bogdan Sandu is a seasoned designer who has been designing websites since 2008. Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients. His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8. He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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