Ottawa has a deep bench of pet stores, from decades-old family shops to specialty retailers focused on natural nutrition. This list was built from public sources including Google Business Profiles, Yelp, and business websites, prioritizing shops with a real track record and consistent customer feedback. Where a rating or review count could be confirmed from a source read in this session, it's included; where it couldn't, that field is left out.
1. Pet Circus
Area: Centretown, Bank Street · Rating: 4.7 on Google (537 reviews)
Pet Circus has served the Bank Street strip for close to four decades and carries dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals under one roof. Customers consistently point to the knowledgeable staff and the sheer range of species and supplies on hand, and reviewers mention the store's affordability compared to big-box competitors. It suits shoppers who want a one-stop shop rather than a specialty boutique.
2. Critter Jungle
Area: Orleans and Carling Avenue · Rating: 4.6 on Google (910 reviews)
Critter Jungle is a locally owned, family-run operation with locations in Orleans and on Carling Avenue, and it has built a reputation around reptiles, amphibians, and other exotics alongside standard dog and cat supplies. Reviewers repeatedly single out staff knowledge on less-common pets and a friendly, unhurried approach to advice. It's a strong pick for anyone keeping something other than a dog or cat.
3. Healthy Pets HQ
Area: Bank Street, Old Ottawa South · Rating: 4.80 on Google (587 reviews) · Since: 2012
Healthy Pets HQ is an independent, family owned shop that has also been active in supporting local rescue and adoption groups since opening. Customers describe the team as incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable, and the store leans toward natural and holistic nutrition. It suits owners looking for detailed, unrushed food and supplement advice.
4. March Road Pet Food & Supplies
Area: Kanata · Since: 2006
March Road Pet Food & Supplies is an independently owned, family-operated neighbourhood shop that has served Kanata since 2006, and it's known locally for a community feel where regulars bring their pets along on visits. It carries food, treats, toys, and supplies, plus grooming services on site. It's best suited to Kanata-area owners who want a small shop that knows its regular customers by name.
5. Masters 'N Dogs
Area: Westboro, Richmond Road · Rating: 4.50 on Google (195 reviews) · Since: 2008
Masters 'N Dogs is a family-run Westboro shop that has been part of that community for over 15 years, combining pet food, supplements, and accessories with grooming services. Reviews are largely positive on staff friendliness and grooming quality, though a handful of customers have noted inconsistency in service. It's a solid choice for Westboro-area dog owners who want food and grooming in the same stop.
6. Chew-That
Area: Beechwood Avenue, New Edinburgh · Rating: 5.0 on Yelp (12 reviews)
Chew-That is a small premium pet store on Beechwood Avenue that focuses on high-quality foods and pet products rather than trying to carry everything. Its review count is modest, but the reviews it has are strongly positive on staff knowledge and product quality, and it also shows a 96 percent recommend rating from Facebook reviewers. It fits owners near Beechwood who want a curated, higher-end selection over volume.
7. Bark Avenue Pet Spa
Area: Orleans, Tenth Line Road · Rating: 4.5 (TrustAnalytica)
Bark Avenue Pet Spa is a multi-time award-winning grooming business in Orleans that also carries specialty retail and customized dog apparel, making it more than a pure grooming stop. Staff are frequently described by customers as amazing, and the shop's identity leans into styling and spa-style grooming rather than bulk supplies. It suits Orleans owners looking for grooming plus a boutique retail selection in the same visit.
8. Global Pet Foods, Hintonburg
Area: Hintonburg, Wellington Street West · Since: 2010
This Hintonburg location of the Canadian-owned Global Pet Foods chain has served the neighbourhood since 2010, specializing in natural and holistic food and supplements across dogs, cats, birds, small animals, and fish. Reviewers highlight staff who remember pets by name and give tailored dietary recommendations, including guidance on sensitivities. It's a good fit for Hintonburg and Wellington West shoppers who want a nutrition-focused independent franchise rather than a big-box aisle.
9. PetSmart, Merivale Road
Area: Nepean, west Ottawa · Rating: 4.3 (n49, 1,863 reviews)
PetSmart's west-end Merivale Road location is the largest-format option on this list, and it pairs a full retail floor with grooming, training, and a Doggie Day Camp. Reviewers mention their dogs being groomed, trained, and boarded at this specific location, and note reliable stock across brands. It's the practical choice for owners who want services like day camp and grooming bundled with their supply run.
10. Ren's Pets
Area: Multiple Ottawa locations · Rating: 4.3 on Google (318 reviews)
Ren's Pets operates several Ottawa-area locations and positions itself between the independents and the big-box chains, with a broad selection and staff trained to give personalized food and product recommendations. Feedback is generally positive on staff attentiveness, though some reviewers across its various locations report inconsistent experiences store to store. It suits shoppers who want chain-level selection with more staff guidance than a warehouse-style retailer typically offers.
How We Built This List
This list was compiled from public web sources, including Google Business Profiles, Yelp, business websites, and other review aggregators, current as of August 2026. It is not a paid placement, and ottown has not tested or visited any of these businesses. Ratings, review counts, and founding years are included only where they could be verified from a source read directly; where a detail couldn't be confirmed, it was left out rather than estimated.
Sources: Google Business Profiles and Yelp listings for each business, plus marchroadpet.com, healthypetshq.com, petcircus.ca, critterjungle.com, mastersndogs.ca, chew-that.ca, barkpetspa.com, hintonburg.globalpetfoods.com, stores.petsmart.com, and renspets.com.
