As pet owners, there are many big box companies to choose from when shopping for our furry family members. But when it comes to high-quality products, unmatched customer service, and a personalized experience, local pet supply stores stand out from the crowd.
In Salem, Oregon, there are several pet stores that make it easy to shop closer to home while supporting local, independent, and Pacific Northwest businesses. Here are four pet supply stores worth knowing about.
Salem Pet Supply Stores at a Glance
| Store | Area | Best For | What Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Pet Supply | North and South Salem | Dog and cat food, treats, and everyday supplies | Family-owned operation serving Oregon pet owners since 2003 |
| Pet Etc. | West Salem | Birds, small animals, dogs, cats, and neighborhood convenience | Family-owned and women-owned shop serving West Salem since 1995 |
| Nature’s Pet Market Salem | South Salem | Natural nutrition and grooming | Natural pet foods, Northwest-made products, and low-stress grooming |
| Mud Bay | West and South Salem | Dog and cat nutrition with multiple Salem locations | Family and employee-owned Pacific Northwest retailer founded in 1988 |
How We Chose These Salem Pet Stores
We looked for stores that give Salem pet owners a real reason to visit, whether that is product selection, local ownership, years in business, specialty foods, grooming, or simply having a convenient location nearby.
We also paid attention to each store’s story. Knowing that a shop has served Salem for decades, is family owned, carries Oregon-made products, or began as a small Pacific Northwest family business can help you decide where you feel good spending your money.
Instead of ranking, we focused on what each one does well so you can choose the best fit for your pet.
Salem Pet Supply
Website: https://www.salempet.com/
WhirLocal Profile: https://whirlocal.io/company/south-salem-pet-supply/
A Local Option for Dog and Cat Owners
Salem Pet Supply has been serving Oregon pet owners since 2003. They have convenient locations in both North and South Salem, and they also have stores in Wilsonville and Tigard.
This local business focuses mainly on dogs and cats, with food, treats, chews, toys, cat trees, and everyday supplies. If you like having plenty of food options in one place, Salem Pet Supply carries kibble and canned food along with frozen and freeze-dried options. You can also find natural and organic treats and a selection of locally produced toys, cat trees, and other products.
The North Salem location is especially spacious, with more than 6,000 square feet of dog and cat supplies.
At a Glance
- Serving Oregon pet owners since 2003
- Locally owned
- North and South Salem locations
- Dog and cat food and supplies
- Frozen and freeze-dried food options
- Natural and organic treats
- Locally produced pet products available
- Frequent-buyer program
Why You Might Like Salem Pet Supply
Salem Pet Supply is a good everyday choice if you want to shop with a locally owned business without giving up a broad selection. Having two Salem locations is also helpful when you are running low on food or litter and don’t want to drive across town.
If you regularly buy larger bags of food or shop the same brands month after month, ask about their frequent-buyer program.
Best Fit For
Dog and cat owners who want a local shop with a large selection, multiple Salem locations, and an emphasis on everyday value.
Before You Go
You may want to ask:
- Do you have my pet’s food brand and formula in stock?
- Which products are part of your frequent-buyer program?
- Which locally made products do you currently carry?
Pet Etc.
Website: https://www.petetcsalem.com/
WhirLocal Profile: https://whirlocal.io/company/pet-etc/
A Longtime West Salem Pet Shop
Pet Etc. has been serving West Salem since 1995, making it one of the longest-running local pet stores in this guide.
The shop is family-owned and located right on Edgewater Street NW. For West Salem residents, the location is a big plus. You can pick up food, treats, bedding, or other supplies without crossing the river to run a pet-related errand. Plus, they offer convenient local home delivery on eligible orders within 5 miles of the West Salem 97304 zip code.
Pet Etc. also has a broader mix of products than many dog-and-cat-focused pet stores. Along with dog and cat products, the store carries supplies for birds and small animals. You will also find natural pet foods (including raw and freeze-dried options) and grooming is available as well.
At a Glance
- Serving West Salem since 1995
- Family-owned
- Located on Edgewater Street NW
- Dog and cat food and supplies
- Bird & small-animal supplies
- Raw and freeze-dried food options
- Frequent-buyer program
- Grooming available
Why You Might Like Pet Etc.
Pet Etc. is especially convenient if you live in West Salem and want a true neighborhood pet shop. It is also worth checking out if your household includes birds or small animals. The store’s long history in West Salem is another reason many shoppers appreciate having it nearby.
Best Fit For
West Salem residents, bird and small-animal owners, and shoppers who want to support a longtime family-owned small business.
Before You Go
Consider asking:
- Do you carry food or bedding for my type of pet?
- Which raw or freeze-dried foods are available?
- How far ahead should I book grooming?
- Can you special order a product you do not have in stock?
Nature’s Pet Market Salem
Website: https://salem.naturespetmarket.com/
WhirLocal Profile: https://whirlocal.io/company/natures-pet-market-sunny-paws-grooming/
Natural Pet Food and Grooming in South Salem
Nature’s Pet Market Salem has been part of South Salem since 2010 and is located in the Sunnyslope Shopping Center on Liberty Road. This locally owned franchise of the regional Nature’s Pet brand is especially focused on pet nutrition and natural food options. Depending on the brand, you’ll find raw, frozen, freeze-dried, dehydrated, canned, pouch, or dry foods.
Nature’s Pet Salem also carries many products made in Oregon and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest, which is a nice bonus if you like supporting regional brands along with local businesses.
Nature’s Pet Salem also has an on-site dog grooming salon. The grooming team emphasizes a low-stress, force-free approach to grooming, with limited kennel time and appointments designed around the individual dog rather than stacking multiple pets at once.
At a Glance
- Serving South Salem since 2010
- Located in Sunnyslope Shopping Center
- Natural pet-food focus
- Raw, frozen, freeze-dried, and dehydrated food options
- Oregon and Northwest-made products
- Independently owned
- Dog grooming available
Why You Might Like Nature’s Pet Market Salem
This is a strong choice if you care about natural or boutique food brands and want to compare several food styles in one place. It’s also convenient if your dog needs regular grooming. Being able to shop for food and supplies at the same place you book grooming can make pet care a little easier.
For shoppers who like buying closer to home, the emphasis on Oregon and Northwest-made products is another reason to visit.
Best Fit For
Dog and cat owners interested in natural nutrition, raw or alternative food, regional pet products, or low-stress grooming.
Before You Go
You may want to ask:
- Do you carry my pet’s current food brand and formula?
- Which products are made in Oregon or the Pacific Northwest?
- How does your grooming process work for nervous dogs?
- How far in advance should grooming appointments be booked?
Mud Bay
Website: https://www.mudbay.com/
WhirLocal Profile: https://whirlocal.io/company/mud-bay/
A Pacific Northwest Alternative to the National Chains
Mud Bay is an independent Pacific Northwest retailer with an origin story that goes back to 1988. After starting in Olympia, Washington as a small family farm store, Mud Bay has successfully expanded their commitment to pet health and nutrition throughout the PNW. The company is now both family and employee owned, meaning eligible employees can have an ownership stake in the company.
The business has also kept some of its quirky small-business roots. One of Mud Bay’s earliest house-made products was a dog biscuit recipe developed by the founder herself and baked by employees. Today, Mud Bay focuses mainly on dogs and cats, with food, treats, toys, supplements, litter, and other everyday supplies.
Salem has locations in both West Salem and South Salem.
At a Glance
- Founded in 1988
- Started as a small family farm store near Olympia
- Family and employee owned
- Independent Pacific Northwest retailer
- Locations in West Salem and South Salem
Why You Might Like Mud Bay
Mud Bay can be a good middle ground if you want the selection and convenience of a larger pet store but would rather shop with an independent Pacific Northwest company than a national chain. Its two Salem locations also make it practical for shoppers on both the west and south sides of town.
Best Fit For
Dog and cat owners who want a larger selection, multiple Salem locations, and an independent regional alternative to the national pet-store chains.
Before You Go
Consider asking:
- Does the Salem store closest to me carry my pet’s food?
- Can a product be brought in from another location?
- Are frequent-buyer programs available for my brand?
- Which locally or regionally made products do you carry?
Which Salem Pet Store Is Right for You?
Still deciding? Here is the simplest way to narrow it down.
Try Salem Pet Supply if you want a family-owned local shop with a large dog and cat selection and locations in both North and South Salem.
Try Pet Etc. if you live in West Salem, want to support a longtime family-owned and women-owned business, or need supplies for birds or small animals.
Try Nature’s Pet Market Salem if you are especially interested in natural food, raw or alternative diets, Oregon-made products, or grooming.
Try Mud Bay if you want the convenience of a larger retailer while still shopping with an independent Pacific Northwest company.
Tips for Shopping for Pet Supplies in Salem
Shop Close to Home When You Can
Pet food is one of those purchases you make again and again. Choosing a store near home can make a real difference, especially when you suddenly realize the food bin is almost empty.
West Salem residents may especially appreciate having Pet Etc. and Mud Bay nearby without needing to cross the Willamette River. South Salem shoppers have several options along the Commercial, Liberty, and Kuebler corridors, while Salem Pet Supply gives North Salem residents another convenient choice near Market Street and I-5.
Call Ahead for Specialty Food
If your pet eats a particular protein, prescription diet, frozen food, raw food, or limited-ingredient formula, it is worth calling about inventory before driving across town. Specialty foods can sell out, and not every location carries every brand.
If your veterinarian has recommended a specific food for a medical condition, check with your veterinarian before switching to something different.
Ask About Rewards and Frequent-Buyer Programs
If you buy the same food every month, rewards programs can add up. Ask whether your preferred store offers free bags, discounts, or other frequent-buyer benefits.
Look for Oregon and Northwest Products
Shopping at a local pet store can also introduce you to products made closer to home. Salem Pet Supply carries locally produced items, and Nature’s Pet Market Salem highlights products made in Oregon and around the Pacific Northwest.
Ask what is local the next time you visit. You might find a new treat, toy, or accessory you would have missed otherwise.
Think About All the Pets in Your Home
Many pet stores focus heavily on dogs and cats. If you have birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, or other small animals, Pet Etc. is worth a closer look because its selection extends beyond the two most common household pets.
Find the Pet Store That Fits Your Routine
The best Salem pet store is the one that works for you and your pet. Salem gives you several local options in addition to popular national chains.
Before visiting, check current hours, inventory, and grooming availability directly with the store.
And when you find a local shop that keeps your pet’s favorite food on the shelf, remembers what you usually buy, or simply makes errands easier, that is often the best reason to keep going back.
Looking for more Salem businesses? Explore the WhirLocal Salem directory to discover more local businesses, services, and community resources.