You generally need to be at least 16 years old to work at Petco. Most Petco locations hire entry-level team members, such as cashiers and stock associates, starting at age 16. Some positions, particularly those involving animal care or grooming, may require applicants to be 18 or older.
Age Requirements by Position
Petco’s standard entry-level roles, like sales associate and cashier, are typically open to 16- and 17-year-olds. These positions involve tasks like stocking shelves, helping customers find products, operating the register, and maintaining store cleanliness. If you’re 16 or 17 and applying, expect to be placed in one of these customer-facing or general merchandise roles.
Positions that involve more specialized work tend to require you to be 18. Dog grooming, dog training, and veterinary services roles all fall into this category. Management and supervisory positions also require applicants to be at least 18. If you’re interested in working directly with animals in a grooming or clinical setting, you’ll likely need to wait until you turn 18.
Work Hour Limits for Minors
If you’re under 18, federal law and your state’s labor laws will limit when and how many hours you can work. Petco, like all employers, must follow whichever law is more restrictive. These rules affect your schedule more than your eligibility to be hired, but they’re worth understanding before you apply.
Under federal rules, 14- and 15-year-olds face the tightest restrictions: no more than 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day, and 40 hours in a non-school week. They also can’t work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. during the school year (extended to 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day). Since Petco’s minimum age is generally 16, these rules are mainly relevant if you find a location willing to hire at a younger age.
If you’re 16 or 17, federal law doesn’t cap your daily or weekly hours or restrict your nighttime schedule. However, many states impose their own limits for 16- and 17-year-olds, including maximum shift lengths on school nights and restrictions on late-night hours. Your state’s rules may mean you can only work until 10 or 11 p.m. on school nights, for example. The hiring manager at your local Petco will typically be familiar with the state-specific limits that apply to your schedule.
What You Need to Apply
Petco accepts applications online through its careers website. You’ll create a profile, search for open positions at nearby stores, and submit your application digitally. The process is straightforward, but if you’re under 18, there are a few extra steps to prepare for.
Most states require minors to obtain a work permit (sometimes called an employment certificate or working papers) before starting a job. You typically get this through your school’s guidance office or your state’s labor department. Some states also require a certificate of age, which verifies your date of birth for the employer’s records. A few states require written parental consent before a minor can begin working. Check with your school or your state’s labor office to find out exactly which documents you need, since the requirements vary.
Beyond permits, bring the same documents any job applicant would need: a valid form of identification and, once hired, the paperwork to complete an I-9 form (proving you’re authorized to work in the U.S.). A state ID, passport, or birth certificate paired with a Social Security card are the most common options for teen workers.
What the Job Looks Like for Teen Employees
As a 16- or 17-year-old at Petco, your shifts will revolve around keeping the store running smoothly. Typical tasks include greeting customers, answering basic questions about pet products, restocking shelves, cleaning animal habitats, and ringing up purchases. You may also help with inventory and organizing merchandise displays.
Entry-level pay at Petco starts around minimum wage in most locations, though some stores pay above the local minimum depending on the labor market. Part-time schedules are standard for teen employees, often ranging from 10 to 25 hours per week during the school year and more during summer breaks. Scheduling flexibility is one reason retail jobs like Petco are popular among high school students, since managers are generally accustomed to working around class schedules and extracurricular activities.
If you enjoy working with animals and want to build toward a grooming or training role, starting as a sales associate at 16 gives you a head start. You’ll learn the products, get comfortable around the animals in the store, and be positioned to move into a specialized role once you turn 18.