Calgary is a city that loves its pets. From off-leash parks along the Bow River to pet-friendly patios in Kensington, it’s clear this city takes its four-legged residents seriously. So it should come as no surprise that Calgary is also home to some of the best locally owned and operated pet stores in Western Canada.
While national chains like PetSmart and PetValu have their place, local pet shops offer something the big-box stores simply can’t: deep community roots, specialized expertise, and products you won’t find on any franchise shelf. Whether you’re hunting down the best raw food for your pup, outfitting a 200-gallon reef tank, or looking for a birthday cake for your dog (yes, really), Calgary’s independent pet shops have you covered.
Here’s my curated list of the best locally owned pet stores in Calgary, no franchises, no chains, just hometown shops worth supporting.
The Top Picks
1. Pisces Pet Emporium
🐠 Aquatics & Exotics Specialist
Location: 4921 Skyline Way NE
Founded in 1975 in a 900-square-foot building, Pisces has grown into one of Calgary’s most iconic pet destinations. Today it spans over 30,000 square feet and is widely recognized as one of the largest independently owned pet superstores in Canada. With over 700 aquariums, 90 feet of display tanks, and more than 50,000 products in stock, there is genuinely something here for every type of pet owner.
Beyond fish and aquatics, Pisces stocks supplies for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small animals, and even pond enthusiasts. Their seasonal live pond plant selection is a local favourite every spring and summer.
What sets it apart: An unmatched aquatics department featuring freshwater and saltwater fish, invertebrates, live rock, coral, and aquatic plants — plus the largest brand-name pet product selection in the city.
2. Rascals Pet Supplies & Grooming
🐾 Family-Run Since 1988
Location: 3804 Edmonton Trail NE
Few Calgary pet stores inspire the kind of loyalty that Rascals does. This family-run business has been supplying Calgarians with premium pet food and supplies since 1988 — over 35 years of community service. The staff collectively bring decades of animal care knowledge, and the store is genuinely pet-friendly, welcoming your furry companions through the door.
Rascals carries an impressive range of dry and wet foods, treats, accessories, supplements, wild bird food, and grooming supplies. They also offer on-site grooming services and even a home delivery program through their sister site, Rascals Delivery, for those who can’t make it in.
What sets it apart: Old-school neighbourhood charm — staff remember customers and their pets by name, carry bags to your car, and go out of their way to help with dietary restrictions and allergies. A true community staple.
3. Fairplay Pet Supply
🌿 Calgary’s Oldest Pet Store Since 1919
Location: 2604 Kensington Rd NW
Fairplay is a true piece of Calgary history. Originally known as Fair Play Flour & Feed when it opened in 1919, it evolved through the decades to become one of the city’s most cherished independent pet stores. Now over a century old and still family-operated, Fairplay sits in the vibrant Kensington neighbourhood and continues the tradition of genuinely attentive, knowledgeable service.
The store carries a thoughtfully curated selection of premium pet food, treats, accessories, and care products for dogs and cats, along with a range of small animal and bird supplies. They pride themselves on keeping up with evolving pet nutrition science and always stocking the best of what the market has to offer.
What sets it apart: Over 100 years of unbroken local ownership — a remarkable achievement in retail. Shopping here is a direct investment in Calgary’s independent business heritage.
4. Unleashed
🥩 Raw & Whole Food Specialists
Location: 2715 14 St SW
If you’re serious about what goes into your pet’s bowl, Unleashed is your store. This locally owned and operated shop in the southwest has built a devoted following by specializing in raw and whole-food nutrition for dogs and cats. The team is passionate, deeply knowledgeable about animal nutrition, and known to learn every customer (and their pets) by name.
In addition to a premium selection of raw food, dry kibble, and wet food options, Unleashed carries toys, beds, clothing, and accessories. They also offer a convenient semi-monthly or monthly home delivery program for pet food, making it easy to keep your pantry stocked.
What sets it apart: Expert raw-food guidance, a genuinely personal in-store experience, and a home delivery subscription that brings fresh pet food right to your door on a schedule that works for you.
5. Doodle Dogs
🛍️ Chic Dog Boutique & Raw Delivery
Locations: 841 1 Ave NE (Bridgeland) & 143-755 Lake Bonavista Dr SE
Founded in 2016 by a brother-sister duo, Doodle Dogs set out to bring the most distinctive and high-quality dog products to Calgary, and they’ve more than delivered. With multiple locations across the city and a booming door-to-door delivery service for raw and frozen pet food, Doodle Dogs has cemented itself as a Calgary pet favourite.
The boutique is known for stocking around 20 local handmade brands (many made right here in Calgary or elsewhere in Canada) that you simply won’t find at bigger stores. Think stylish accessories, fresh raw food, unique treats, and gear that’s as thoughtfully designed as it is functional.
What sets it apart: A carefully curated selection of Canadian-made and Calgary-made brands, plus Canada-wide raw food delivery with up to 10% cash-back rewards — a boutique experience with serious logistical chops.
6. Doggywood
🎂 Upscale Dog Boutique & Bakery
Location: 616 1 Ave NE
Doggywood is proof that a pet store can be as much a lifestyle experience as a retail destination. Owner Patricia Frank has been running this beloved Bridgeland boutique since 1996, offering an old-fashioned level of personal service you simply don’t find in chain stores anymore. If you want to truly pamper your dog, this is the place.
The shop features a dog deli with home-baked treats and the option to special-order custom birthday and special-occasion cakes. Beyond the bakery, you’ll find premium dog fashions, matching accessories, breed collectibles, and specialty toys. Hard-to-find items can also be sourced by special order.
What sets it apart: Calgary’s most lovingly curated upscale dog boutique, complete with home-baked delicacies and custom dog birthday cakes that loyal customers have been ordering for years.
7. Pawticular Pet Supply
🌾 Indigenous-Owned & Natural Health Focused
Location: Unit 149, 2515 90 Ave SW (Oak Bay Plaza)
Pawticular holds a special distinction as Calgary’s only Indigenous-owned independent pet supply store. Owners Reva (from Pelican Lake First Nation, SK) and Kevin (a Métis from Calgary) have built a shop in Oakridge that reflects their genuine passion for animal health. Their philosophy centres on natural health foods, and everything they stock is chosen with the well-being of your pet — and the community — in mind.
Pawticular also offers free same-day delivery on orders over $49, making it an incredibly convenient option for southwest Calgary pet owners who want quality without compromise.
What sets it apart: Calgary’s only Indigenous-owned pet supply store, with a sharp focus on natural health food and a same-day local delivery service that few other local shops can match.
8. Dexter’s Your Local Pet Shop
🐕 Community Hub, SE Calgary
Location: 7019 Ogden Rd SE
Consistently rated among the top independent pet shops on Yelp and Google, Dexter’s has earned its reputation as SE Calgary’s go-to local pet store. The shop focuses on local, Canadian, and high-quality products that deliver real value — not just a low sticker price. Customers consistently praise the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the staff’s deep product knowledge.
Whether you’re looking for premium pet food, treats, toys, or accessories, Dexter’s aims to be the neighbourhood resource that keeps pet owners informed, supported, and stocked with the best options for their animals.
What sets it apart: A strong emphasis on Canadian-made and locally sourced products, combined with the kind of warm, community-focused service that makes every visit feel like more than just a shopping trip.
9. Bon A-Pet-Treat!
🍰 Canadian Pet Bakery & Natural Food
Location: 815 49 Ave SW
A 100% Canadian-owned and operated gem, Bon A-Pet-Treat! is where pet food meets pet bakery. This Altadore shop specializes in natural pet food and supplements, but what really sets it apart is its in-house pet bakery — producing freshly made pet cookies, ice cream, and cakes right on-site. Yes, they even make custom birthday cakes for dogs and cats.
If you want to spoil your pet with something genuinely special, made with wholesome, natural ingredients by people who care, Bon A-Pet-Treat! is unlike anywhere else in the city.
What sets it apart: A fully functioning on-site pet bakery offering custom pet birthday cakes and freshly baked treats — the most delicious way to celebrate your pet in Calgary.
Pro Tip: How to Choose the Right Local Pet Store for You
Not all pet stores are created equal, and the best one for you depends on your pet’s specific needs. If your dog thrives on a raw food diet, prioritize shops like Unleashed or Doodle Dogs with dedicated raw food expertise. For aquarium hobbyists, Pisces Pet Emporium is in a league of its own. If you value a century-long community relationship, Fairplay in Kensington is hard to beat. Most local shops also offer loyalty programs, ask about buy-X-get-one-free food deals, which can add up to real savings over the year.
What to Look for in a Healthy Pet Food (and What to Avoid)
Choosing the right pet food at a local store can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options labeled as “premium” or “natural.” A good starting point is to focus on whether the diet is complete and balanced, meaning it meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for your pet’s life stage. From there, look for clearly named animal proteins, appropriate fat sources, and transparency around ingredients and formulation. Stores that carry a mix of fresh, raw, freeze-dried, and high-quality kibble often provide more flexibility to match your pet’s needs.
It is also worth paying attention to ingredient quality and processing. Diets that rely on whole meats or properly defined meat meals tend to offer more consistent nutrition than those built around vague by-products or heavy use of refined flours. While carbohydrates are not inherently bad, excessive use of fillers like wheat flour, corn meal, or barley flour can reduce overall nutrient density. For supplements and add-ons, prioritize products with a clear purpose, such as omega 3s for skin and coat health or probiotics for digestive support, rather than trendy, unfocused blends.
Things to Avoid
Not everything on pet store shelves is a good choice, even in high-quality independent shops. Some popular items come with real risks:
- Antler chews and hard bones
These are one of the most common causes of tooth fractures in dogs. If you cannot dent it with your fingernail, it is generally too hard. - Rawhide (low-quality or heavily processed)
Can be difficult to digest and may pose a choking or blockage risk, depending on quality and how it is processed. - Treats with artificial colors, flavours, or preservatives
These add no nutritional value and are often used to make lower-quality products more appealing. - Unbalanced toppers or mixers used as a large portion of the diet
Many toppers are not formulated to be complete and balanced, so overuse can throw off the overall nutrient profile. - “Exotic” or heavily marketed ingredients without a clear benefit
Ingredients like charcoal, excessive herbs, or novelty proteins are not inherently harmful, but they are often included for marketing rather than nutritional necessity.
A good rule of thumb is to keep things simple and functional. Focus on diets and products that serve a clear nutritional purpose and are backed by transparent formulation, rather than marketing trends.
Andrea Geiger is a certified companion animal nutritionist with a master’s degree in Veterinary Toxicology and Nutrition. With over five years of experience in product development and consulting, Andrea specializes in creating science-based nutrition plans and formulating recipes that prioritize pet health, ensuring optimal nutrition for dogs and cats alike.
Support Local. Spoil Your Pet.
Every purchase at an independent Calgary pet store keeps money in the local economy, supports families who live and work in your community, and usually gets you better advice than you’d find at any national chain. Next time your pet food runs low, try one of these local legends, you might just find a new favourite.