A Guide to the 6 Best Pet Shops in Edmonton

Featured Image Source: Pixabay

By Olivia Walsh

Looking for top-notch services and products for your furry little friends? You’re on the right page, as we’ve compiled a list of the best pet shops in Edmonton!

We looked for shops that were both people-friendly and animal-friendly. That means we chose ones where staff know how to properly approach clients – human or otherwise.

We also picked those who were knowledgeable of the products they carry so they can make the right recommendations for customers. We checked if their stock was arranged neatly and kept fresh and safe for consumption.

At the end of it all, we ended up with this list of the best pet shops in Edmonton. We also answered FAQs from Edmonton pet owners below!

1.   Poochie Moochie Pet Boutique

Poochie Moochie is owned and run by Lori Cameron, a pet lover from Alberta. According to her letter to clients on her website, she strives to carry brands in her shop that are “from responsible manufacturers” and are Canadian or US-made.

The pet shop has products ranging from essentials such as food and supplements to accessories such as apparel and collars. Lori also has a special focus on carrying “quality aides” for pets like superior harnesses, sturdy leashes, durable collars, and toys.

Poochie Moochie carries more than 160 brands in their shop that are mostly focused on supplies for dogs and cats.

The shop also allows returns, refunds and exchanges. For returns, items must be in their original unused condition to be returned, unless there is a manufacturer defect and must be turned over within 30 days of purchase.

If you like shopping options, then Poochie Moochie may be the store for you. The shop offers online shopping, instore, delivery and curbside pick-ups.

Poochie Moochie’s online store is open 24/7, with a guarantee that all orders are shipped within 48 hours. Their carrier is Canada Post.

The store also carries a “shop-for-a-cause” scheme. You can purchase items on their online store to donate to Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS).

Poochie Moochie will then fill the order, give the products to SCARS on your behalf and give SCARS a copy of your order so that they can issue you a tax receipt for your generosity.

Customer Reviews

Poochie Moochie received mostly positive reviews from locals, mainly for its service. Here are some of the comments:

“Placed my first order last Friday and was so happy to discover my dog’s food was not only cheaper, I could get it delivered for free!! Just having surgery this was such a blessing.

Meatball and I are excited to be a part of the Poochie Moochie family.”

“Lori has been extremely helpful in teaching me about raw food! I travelled and she took the time to teach me about the labels and ingredients of the packages and what each thing means so that I could get the best food for him once at my destination! She has gone above and beyond as she also answers all my questions when I text her. She looked up the place I was going to see what my options were and give me the best recommendation. Also, she did some research on what would be the best option for my large breed dog because raw food would be pretty expensive for him. However, she gave me many options for what I could do. Really the best pet store in Edmonton. Also, their dog clothes are super cute!!!”

2.   Homes Alive Pets

Homes Alive Pets is operated by father and son duo Leon and Evan. Their goal was to build one of the best pet shops in Edmonton through better selections, shopping experience and value in products.

Homes Alive Pets has been around for six years, but their backstory dates to 1974 when Eldon, Leon’s father began selling pet and craft supplies out of his garage in Duchess, Alberta.

The shop’s mission extends from giving good quality supplies to pets to enriching the lives of animals, customers, the people they work with and their community.

They carry a variety of items in their shop, from food and treats to crates, ramps and pet ID tags. They also carry supplies for fish, reptiles and birds.

Their products mainly focus on having natural ingredients and being made in Canada. They also have various programs that reward their loyal customers.

Homes Alive Pets have “Loyalty Dollars”, where customers can accumulate points per purchase. These points can then be redeemed like cash for future purchases.

They also offer monthly coupons and a free bag of food for a certain number of bags purchased through their “Freequent Feeder” Program.

The shop’s return policy allows for returns of unopened products in their original packaging for up to 60 days from the purchase date. If the return is the result of an error made on the part of the store, they will also cover the cost of shipping.

Customer Reviews

HomesAlive Pet Centre got mostly positive reviews as one of the best pet shops in Edmonton. Here is some of their customer feedback:

“We love this store, one of the best in the city, conveniently located for us to stop by on the way back from work or a weekend with our pup. He loves the attention he gets. Everyone thinks he is handsome. The store is clean, neatly organized, with lots of choices for food, supplies, and knowledgeable staff willing to assist. No one bothers you walking behind you asking you if you need help like they do in some other stores. He has quite a few favourite treats that we get from there- the frozen bison bones are to die for.”

“Excellent service and knowledgeable staff. All varieties of higher-end food for your furry friend.  Whole side freezer of raw food if you are so inclined. Got excellent senior vitamins for elderly golden and this has helped him be less anxious. When the line gets too long, they call up all the staff to reduce wait. Store loyalty program adds up to free food, too.”

3.   Pet Planet

Pet Planet has been in the industry for 25 years. Laura Leah English, one of the owners of the pet shop, said losing their pet to cancer was the inspiration behind Pet Planet.

Since then, they have vowed to offer healthy and wholesome options for pet owners across Canada.

One of Pet Planet’s unique features is their exclusive program called “Certificate of Trust” where they evaluate each consumable product in their shop for safety and health standards.

Pet Planet feels strongly against rawhide and does not carry this in all of their stores. They also believe in responsible pet acquisition and are against pets sold in any retail space.

They are also passionate about educating their staff, franchise owners and customers about animal health and nutrition. Pet Planet has a newsletter and an education archive on their website that talks about the various aspects of animal health and well-being.

The store also has a membership program where you earn points as your purchase items in their shop. Every 500 points earned is equal to $5 worth of store credits.

The Pet Planet membership also has the benefit of you being automatically enrolled in their Freequent Feeder program, personalized meal planning for your pets, 5% off on can purchases, members-only events and a free self-wash or nail trim for every five paid sessions on either service.

Customer Reviews

Take a look at what customers have to say about one of Edmonton’s best pet shops:

“Great store, great staff, both helpful and knowledgeable. I had figured out that one of my girls (aka dogs) may have a legume sensitivity, and I already know she can’t eat chicken. I go in and ask for food with no corn (they don’t have any with corn!), no chicken, no legumes, preferably lamb based… and the girl I was talking to knew immediately what to try. She knew the history of the company, where they source their ingredients. I felt confident, and lo and behold, the food is fantastic. My girls love it, and the oldest has no more skin issues.

I highly recommend going here for your dog food.”

“The best place for our family member. The staff is always extremely helpful and very knowledgeable.”

4.   G&E Pharmacy

G&E Pharmacy is a family-run business that aims to cater to a wider scope of animals.  If you are a horse or a hamster owner and you struggle to find a pet store for your pet, then G&E Pharmacy is worth checking out for you.

The shop caters not only to dogs and cats, but they also have stuff for horses, birds, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbil and rabbits. They also have protective equipment and therapeutic clothing for pet owners and carers.

G&E Pharmacy specializes in animal prescriptions, by the way. That is why they have pharmacy staff who are licensed and will always be there to respond to your queries.

Aside from a wide variety of supplies for various pet owners, G&E Pharmacy also promises to offer their items at an affordable price. The pet store has a monthly special, where they offer discounts on certain food depending on the month.

As for G&E Pharmacy’s return policy, it depends on what item you are trying to return.

Non-perishable items may be returned up to 90 days from purchase. Perishable purchases, meanwhile, may be returned or exchanged within 30 days of purchase.

Purchases of bits, invisible fencing and electronic dog training collars may, on the other hand, be returned within 7 days of purchase for a refund or exchange.

Customer Reviews

Pet owners from Edmonton love this place. Here are some of the comments they shared:

“Love love love this place, the staff is so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. You can find out pretty much anything you need to know about your pet as well as  find everything you need to take care of them. So many other odds and ends there too. I go there to buy birthday cards, they have a great selection. Hiiiighly recommended.”

“They sell a lot of products for your dog or cat, and they also have medications available if your pet is sick. It’s cheaper than getting it from a Vet Clinic. The staff are quite helpful.”

5.   Pet Valu

Pet Valu is one of the biggest pet shop chains across Canada. They have been in the industry for over 40 years.

Because they are well-established, Pet Valu shops can be easily found across Canada. In Edmonton alone, Pet Value has five branches.

Aside from carrying supplies for dogs, cats, fish, birds, small pets and reptiles, they also have other pet services such as self-serve dog washes, grooming, frozen raw food and adoption.

The pet shop carries more than 300 brands in their shop, ranging from home-grown names such as Canada Pooch to big names like Arm & Hammer and Burt’s Bees for pets.

Like other pet shops, Pet Valu also has a rewards/VIP Plus program. A rewards/VIP Plus program membership will give you free food through their Frequent Buyer program, 5% off on selected brands, “Buy-6-Get-1-Free” dog washes and exclusive flyer offers.

Pet Valu also offers gift cards that can be loaded with any denomination. This is the perfect gift for your friend or loved one that is also a pet enthusiast.

The gift card can be redeemed at all Pet Valu, Bosley’s, Paulmac’s, Tisol, or Total Pet locations. There is also no expiration date or management fee associated with the gift card.

Customer Reviews

Here’s what customers say about Pet Valu:

“We’ve been customers of this location since they opened. The DIY dog washes are so convenient and the staff keep a wide selection of shampoos and conditioners on hand to keep your pups looking and smelling clean. The staff are super helpful. Shout out to Makayla for helping us with our dog food! Our family appreciates the ample parking, great product selection and friendly service at this location.”

“Not a bad little pet store! I wandered in to browse for a few items I still need for our new puppy. I found some of the prices were quite reasonable compared to my searches on amazon and various pet stores. However, I didn’t end up purchasing anything because I knew the last few items I needed could be found a bit cheaper. I also love that they have a “pet wash” for $10/use (which I will probably use in the future!) and even a friendly cat wandering around the store. Overall, this is a great place with some specialty items worth checking out!”

6.   Tails and Whiskers Pet Food Store

At Tails and Whisker, they specialize in raw and frozen pet food. This is mainly because this kind of diet leads to direct benefits in your pet’s health, including dental hygiene, skin and muscles, and digestion.

They carry all kinds of pet supplies for dogs and cats, such as clothing, leashes, toys, beds and more.

Aside from pet food, they also offer grooming services for both cats and dogs. Further more, they carry all kinds of goods from treats and toys to training supplies and supplements.

Customer Reviews

Here’s what customers say about Tails and Whiskers Pet Food Store:

“Always a pleasure visiting the store. My dogs have their nails done… food and treats picked up and i love the variety of clothing and toys they carry!“

“Support local! These gals are absolutely amazing! Sam is an incredible groomer, both in talent and patience, her skill with cats is unrivalled! You truly won’t find someone who is as lovingly devoted to her clients as Sam. They also do an incredible job at making me feel welcome any time, and are always willing to lend a helping hand if you need it. They are truly well loved in the community and I hope to see their continued success! These are some incredible women and you won’t go wrong shopping at Tails and Whiskers!“

FAQs About Pet Shops in Edmonton

That concludes our list of Edmonton’s best pet shops. Each pet shop has its perks and strengths. It all boils down to what you need as a pet owner.

Let us know if you have been to one of these or are looking forward to visiting sometime soon. We love hearing from our readers!