Do You Pay Sales Tax on Pet Food? How Sales Tax Applies to Pets

Having pets is just a part of life for many Americans. A 2025 survey found that nearly half of all households—42.6%—own a dog, and 32.6% own a cat. And while the emotional return on investment is high for most, the financial cost is very real.

Veterinary bills, food, grooming, boarding—it adds up quickly. But there’s another cost layered into many of these purchases that often goes unnoticed until checkout: sales tax.

Sales tax on pets and pet food is becoming a more active policy issue as pet ownership continues to rise. Lawmakers are increasingly weighing whether certain pet-related purchases should be treated more like necessities than discretionary spending. As of April 2026, proposals in states like New York and Ohio show that momentum is building—but the rules remain anything but uniform.

Let’s break down how sales tax applies to pet food, prescriptions, service animals, and pet services, and where the tax matrix may be headed next.

Is There Sales Tax on Pet Food?

The short answer is usually, yes.

Even in states that exempt groceries, those exemptions rarely extend to pet food, but are rather geared toward food for “human consumption.”

For example, Minnesota exempts most groceries, but pet food and other supplies remain taxable. New York also exempts grocery food at the state and local level, but explicitly taxes pet food.

But as with most things in sales tax, there are caveats. Pet food for service animals may be exempt, and food sold by veterinarians can sometimes qualify for exemption depending on the state. So while pet food is generally taxable, the exceptions can make things interesting—and confusing.

The Sales Tax Solution: Pet food is usually taxable, but there are inconsistencies. If you’re selling or purchasing in multiple states, don’t assume grocery rules apply to pet food. These are the instances where tailored sales tax solutions prevent costly misclassification.

Are There Sales Tax Exemptions on Pet Prescriptions?

Sales tax on pet prescriptions can be even less predictable.

Some states take a more lenient approach. Although most pet purchases are taxable in Vermont, prescription drugs intended for animal use are not. Texas does the same, as long as purchases are made with a valid vet prescription.

Other states are much stricter. New Jersey taxes pet prescriptions even if the drug itself is identical to one used for humans. And then you have states like New York, where the taxability can depend on who sells it—veterinarian vs. pharmacy.

In other words, the same medication could be taxable or exempt depending on the transaction structure.

The Sales Tax Solution: Pet prescription taxability isn’t just about the product—it’s about the seller, the statute, and the state.

Do I Have To Pay Sales Tax To Purchase a Service Animal?

This is where policy starts to shift in favor of pet owners—specifically those who rely on service animals.

New York offers one of the most comprehensive exemptions. Not only are sales of service animals exempt, but so are many related expenses like food, vet care, grooming, and boarding. Florida takes a similar approach.

Meanwhile, Utah generally treats animals as taxable tangible personal property, regardless of purpose.

Clearly, there is still a divide between states that recognize service animals as essential and those that still treat them like standard retail purchases.

The Sales Tax Solution: Service animal exemptions are expanding—but they’re far from universal. Understanding which states offer relief (and how far it extends) is critical.

What About Grooming, Pet-Sitting, and Dog Walking?

Services are where things really start to unravel.

More states are taxing services than ever before, but not consistently. For example, Ohio exempts pet grooming from other taxable personal care services. Kentucky, on the other hand, taxes pet care services including grooming, boarding, pet-sitting, and even pet obedience or training services. Utah has additional distinctions, taxing services performed on animals with limited medical-related exceptions.

As you can see, it’s very granular. In just one state, dog walking might not be taxable, pet sitting is, and grooming “might” qualify depending on how it’s bundled or billed.

The Sales Tax Solution: Pet services are one of the most inconsistent areas of sales tax. If your business operates across jurisdictions, standardized assumptions won’t cut it—custom sales tax solutions are essential to avoid audit risk.

What Current Proposals Are There Regarding Sales Tax Exemptions for Pets?

Regardless of how inconsistent the rules are, momentum is building.

New York Senate bills S7089 and S9981 are both active and each would exempt pet food from sales and compensating use taxes. Legislation is also eyeing another approach which would create tax credits for domestic pet care, up to $900 for two pets.

Ohio is pushing H.B. 816 to exempt service dogs and even miniature horses from sales tax.

Pennsylvania is taking a slightly different approach, with lawmakers considering a sales tax holiday for a wide range of items, including pet food.

These proposals are still young, but the direction is clear. Pets are increasingly being treated as essential household members, not discretionary expenses.

The Sales Tax Solution: Legislative changes are coming—but slowly and unevenly. Staying ahead of these shifts requires proactive monitoring and adaptable sales tax solutions, especially for multi-state businesses.