Item: Chewy Privacy Policy
Rating: 51
Author: Privacy.Law Editorial Team

⚠ Key Privacy Concerns

Chewy's pharmacy services require collecting sensitive pet health information including prescriptions, medical conditions, and veterinarian details. This health data is combined with your purchase history to create detailed profiles used for targeted marketing and shared with advertising partners.

Data They Collect

Everything Chewy gathers about you and your pets.

📊 Data Collection Scope (25%) 48/100

What they collect: Name, address, payment info, pet names/breeds/ages, prescription details, vet information, purchase history, browsing behavior, device identifiers, and Autoship preferences.

👥 Third-Party Sharing (20%) 45/100

Who gets your data: Advertising networks, analytics providers, social media platforms, veterinary clinics, pharmacy partners, and affiliated PetSmart stores.

🕐 Retention & Deletion (20%) 55/100

How long: Purchase history kept for 7 years (tax/legal). Pharmacy records kept per state law (varies 3-10 years). Account deletion available but pharmacy records may be retained.

☑ User Control & Consent (15%) 58/100

Your control: Marketing opt-out available. CCPA/state rights supported with online request form. Can request account deletion. Cannot opt out of Autoship reminder communications.

🔒 Security & Breach (10%) 52/100

Security: SSL encryption, PCI-DSS compliance for payments. HIPAA compliance for pharmacy services. No specific breach notification timeline mentioned.

🔍 Transparency & Access (10%) 50/100

Clarity: Reasonably clear policy structure. Data access request form available online. Cookie policy provides some transparency on tracking technologies.

Compare With Other Pet Services

⚠ Red Flags

The most concerning privacy practices in Chewy's policy.

Pharmacy Health Data Collection

High Risk

Chewy's pharmacy services collect sensitive pet health information including prescriptions, medical conditions, allergies, and treatment history linked to your account.

"We collect health information about your pet including veterinarian details, prescription information, and medical conditions to fulfill pharmacy orders." Chewy Privacy Policy — "Information We Collect: Health and Pharmacy Information"

Extensive Purchase Profiling

High Risk

Every purchase builds a detailed profile of your pets, their health needs, feeding schedules (via Autoship), and spending patterns used for targeted marketing.

"We analyze your purchase history and browsing behavior to personalize your experience and provide targeted recommendations." Chewy Privacy Policy — "How We Use Your Information: Personalization"

Advertising Network Sharing

High Risk

Chewy shares data with advertising networks for cross-site tracking, allowing pet ownership and purchase behavior to follow you across the internet.

"We share information with advertising partners to deliver relevant advertisements on our site and across third-party platforms." Chewy Privacy Policy — "Sharing of Information: Advertising Partners"

PetSmart Data Sharing

Medium Risk

As part of the PetSmart family, Chewy shares data between companies, expanding the profile of your pet ownership across both online and physical retail.

"We may share information with our affiliates, including PetSmart, for their business purposes." Chewy Privacy Policy — "Sharing of Information: Affiliates"

Autoship Data Retention

Medium Risk

Autoship subscriptions create ongoing profiles of pet care schedules and needs, retained even when you pause subscriptions.

"We retain Autoship preferences and history to provide continuity of service and personalized recommendations." Chewy Privacy Policy — "Data Retention: Service Information"

Veterinarian Information Sharing

Medium Risk

Chewy contacts your veterinarian to verify prescriptions and may share purchase information back to vet clinics.

"We contact veterinary clinics to verify and authorize prescriptions and may share relevant information with healthcare providers." Chewy Privacy Policy — "Sharing of Information: Healthcare Providers"

Who They Share With

Where your data ends up beyond Chewy.

PetSmart: As affiliates, data flows between Chewy and PetSmart stores

Veterinary Clinics: Prescription verification, health information exchange

Advertising Networks: Purchase behavior, browsing patterns, pet ownership data

Analytics Providers: Site usage, shopping behavior, conversion tracking

Your Rights

What you can (and can't) do about your data.

✅ You CAN: Request data access via online form, opt out of marketing emails/texts, request account deletion, opt out of sale of personal info (CCPA), manage cookie preferences

❌ You CANNOT: Delete pharmacy records (state law retention), opt out of Autoship service communications, prevent PetSmart data sharing while using service, fully stop first-party tracking

Analysis

"Chewy earns the best score in the pet services category, though that's largely because their e-commerce model doesn't require the invasive location and home access data that services like Rover and Wag need.

The biggest concern is their pharmacy services. Once you use Chewy for pet prescriptions, you've given them access to sensitive health information that's combined with your purchase history. This creates a comprehensive profile of your pet's health needs used for marketing.

If you're concerned about privacy, consider using Chewy only for non-pharmacy purchases and getting prescriptions directly from your vet. Also note that data flows to PetSmart, so your online purchases may be linked to in-store shopping if you use both services."

Chewy Privacy Policy Review

⚠ Key Privacy Concerns

Data They Collect

Compare With Other Pet Services

🐕 Concerned About Your Data?

⚠ Red Flags

Pharmacy Health Data Collection

Extensive Purchase Profiling

Advertising Network Sharing

PetSmart Data Sharing

Autoship Data Retention

Veterinarian Information Sharing

Who They Share With

Your Rights

Analysis

Need Help With Your Privacy Rights?

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Chewy Privacy Policy Review

⚠ Key Privacy Concerns

Data They Collect

Compare With Other Pet Services

🐕 Concerned About Your Data?

Related Resources

⚠ Red Flags

Pharmacy Health Data Collection

Extensive Purchase Profiling

Advertising Network Sharing

PetSmart Data Sharing

Autoship Data Retention

Veterinarian Information Sharing

Who They Share With

Your Rights

Analysis

Need Help With Your Privacy Rights?

Schedule a Consultation