Top locally owned pet shops in Washington, D.C.
Published on
Last updated on
6 min read
Overview
Locally owned pet shops often act as the heart of the animal community in their area. While they sometimes have limited stock options compared to larger chains, they also often feature local brands. If you’re looking for the old-fashioned, personal touch, these locally owned pet stores in Washington, D.C. could have everything you and your pet need.
Connect with an online vet in Washington
Services
PetMAC is a local pet store with a unique twist. The proceeds from their store go to fund their rescue and adoption program. They stock a range of brands for cats, dogs, and small animals of all breeds, ages, and sizes. PetMAC carries a wide selection of products, from raw and specialty foods for health conditions to toys, bedding, and accessories of all kinds. The staff at PetMAC is also highly trained and knowledgeable. They can help you with harness fitting. While they are located near the center of Washington, D.C., they also have an online shop and offer delivery.
2. The Big Bad Woof
Services
The Big Bad Woof is a truly versatile local pet store that stocks supplies for cats, dogs, birds, fish, small animals, and even livestock animals, such as goats. The sheer variety of brands and items that they carry make this pet store hard to compete with unless you have very niche exotic pets like sugar gliders. They have a strong focus on holistic care and natural ingredients as well as overall animal wellness. Their staff is highly trained, so if you have any questions about the items they stock don’t hesitate to ask.
3. Howl to the Chief
Services
Howl to the Chief is centrally located and stocks and delivers items for cats, dogs, and small animals of all kinds. They stock well-known and niche brands as well as specialty supplies for pets with medical conditions. You will also find a range of toys, bedding, and accessories at reasonable prices. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff are passionate about pet care and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
4. Chico’s Natural Pet Market
Services
Just a short drive across the river from Washington, D.C., Chico’s Natural Pet Market stocks items for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and small animals. They focus on holistic, all-natural products that are sustainable and promote general wellness in animals. You will find food, treats, toys, and accessories for pets of all ages. They feature small brands as well as larger, more recognizable names, and their staff is highly trained when it comes to the products they carry. If you need more information about a product, they will be happy to help!
5. Pets Are Home
5. Pets Are Home
Services
Pets Are Home is just a half hour drive from the center of Washington, D.C. and offers a range of holistic and natural brands with an emphasis on raw and minimally processed foods. They cater to dogs, cats, and small pets, and have a great online store that offers next-day delivery for $5. This is a good old-fashioned pet store with friendly and knowledgeable staff who will be happy to talk you through their selection of products and provide guidance about what could work well for your pets.
Getting the right supplies for your pet
Locally owned pet stores are often run by people who have a passion for animals or some background in pet care. This means that they can often give advice and guidance on which products would be best for your pet. If you have exotic pets, for example, your local exotic pet store owner could help explain which foods, bedding, and toys are best. Of course, other issues may require more specialized knowledge. For these questions, it would be better to book a virtual vet appointment with Vetster for veterinary guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Most pet stores are pretty welcoming of any animal that an owner may wish to bring. For example, if you want to ask questions about your pet's physical condition, it may help if the staff can look at your pet. However, your dog, or any pet, should be under your control at all times. This means keeping them on a leash, or if you have a smaller animal, like a cat, in a crate or carrier.
- It can be daunting to try a new store, and if that store operates entirely online it can be hard to know if they are legitimate. The first sign that a pet shop is legitimate is if it has a brick-and-mortar location. Whether it is an online store or a physical store, however, checking its standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and looking for customer reviews is an excellent way to get an idea of its standing and reputation.
- You may be able to get some animal medical supplies in a local pet store, for example, flea and tick treatments, worming supplies, and first aid items to deal with small injuries. However, if your pet needs prescribed medication, you will need to find a pet store that has a veterinary pharmacy on site, or that has links with one and can have prescription medication delivered. Also keep in mind that any medication your pet takes should be suggested first by a veterinarian, as some over-the-counter medication can be harmful to your pet.
