Pet Stores in Knoxville

June 14, 2026

Unlike a quick online reorder of kibble, a Knoxville pet store lets owners read ingredient panels in person, compare a senior diet against a puppy formula on the same shelf, and ask staff which food settled a sensitive stomach for other local dogs. Knoxville is one of Tennessee’s largest cities, with a population of roughly 195,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and it has a deep bench of long-running, family-owned pet stores. From decades-old feed-and-supply businesses on the west side to a downtown boutique on Union Avenue, the city’s independents tend to compete on nutrition expertise, premium and raw diets, and services like self-service dog washes rather than on price alone.

The market context is favorable for specialty retail. U.S. pet-industry spending has grown steadily for years, and the American Pet Products Association reports that a majority of U.S. households own a pet, with food and treats representing the single largest category of spending. In a market like Knoxville, that demand shows up in stores that stock premium kibble, freeze-dried, gently cooked, and raw diets, supplements, toys, and supplies for dogs and cats, and in some cases farm and livestock feed or live animals. The practical result for shoppers is choice: a buyer can compare a multigenerational family store, a neighborhood grooming-and-supply shop, and a downtown boutique within a single city.

A general retail pet store in Tennessee does not require a special professional license beyond standard business registration and sales-tax collection. A store registers for a business license through the county clerk once annual gross receipts exceed $3,000, and it collects the state’s 7% sales tax plus the local option tax on each sale; in Knox County the combined rate reaches roughly 9.25%. Stores that sell live animals take on additional animal-welfare expectations and any applicable local permits. Tennessee does not currently have a statewide commercial breeder license; the state’s Commercial Breeder Act expired in 2014 and was not renewed, so larger commercial dog and cat breeders and dealers are instead regulated at the federal level by the USDA under the Animal Welfare Act. On-site services such as grooming or self-wash are treated as retail and service activities rather than licensed professions.

Product and service selection in Knoxville reflects how owners shop today. Many independents emphasize natural, holistic, raw, and gently cooked diets, exclude ingredients like corn, wheat, and artificial preservatives, and carry collars, leashes, beds, and toys, while some add farm and livestock feed or self-service dog washes. Buyers comparing stores should confirm return policies on food, ask whether a store will special-order a specific formula, and check whether grooming is in-house or by appointment. Tennessee’s consumer protection framework, administered by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), handles complaints about deceptive trade practices, including disputes over advertised pricing, refunds, or the condition of a live animal at purchase. Verifying that a retailer is registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State adds a further check before a large or recurring purchase.

Top Pet Store Providers in Knoxville

1. Agri Feed Pet Supply

Address: 5716 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 584-3959
Website: https://agrifeedpetsupply.com
Services: natural, holistic, raw, gently cooked, freeze-dried, and premium pet food, treats, toys, supplies, wild bird seed, farm and livestock feed, self-service dog wash, dog park, local delivery
Description: Agri Feed Pet Supply is a family-owned Knoxville pet store founded in 1976 by Mel Sturm and now run by third-generation owner Britt Sturm. The company operates two locations, the Middlebrook Pike store in West Hills and a Kingston Pike store in West Knoxville (10420 Kingston Pike, Suite C) that also houses a full English equestrian tack shop. Agri Feed specializes in natural, holistic, raw, gently cooked, fresh, freeze-dried, and premium kibble diets for dogs and cats, and it explicitly excludes foods containing corn, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors, colors, and synthetic preservatives. The Middlebrook Pike location features a self-service dog wash called The Spaw and a dog park, and the business offers free local delivery across the greater Knoxville area. It bills itself as Knoxville’s premier locally owned pet store since 1976 and has been recognized as an Eco-Friendly Retailer of the Year.

2. Misty’s Pet Depot

Address: 4500 Walker Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 297-3932
Website: https://petdepot.net/mistys
Services: natural pet food, healthy treats, toys, supplies, all-natural grooming, dog training
Description: Misty’s Pet Depot is a locally owned neighborhood pet store on Walker Blvd in Knoxville with more than 20 years of operating history. The store carries natural pet food, healthy treats, durable toys, and supplies for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, reptiles, and aquarium species, and it offers all-natural grooming using naturally derived products along with dog training. As a community-rooted independent, it emphasizes natural nutrition and individualized service over big-box scale. The store keeps weekday hours and focuses on the everyday needs of local pet owners across multiple species.

3. CitiFid-O

Address: 429 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 219-5127
Website: https://citifid-o.com
Services: premium pet food, treats, toys, beds, carriers, accessories, food sampling, loyalty program
Description: CitiFid-O is a downtown Knoxville pet boutique on Union Ave owned by Paul and Terri Karlsson, billed as downtown Knoxville’s source for premium pet provisions. The store specializes in all-natural products made in the United States with American ingredients and carries lines from brands such as NutriSource, West Paw, and Wild Calling, along with innovative toys, comfortable beds and carriers, and essential accessories. It offers food sampling and a loyalty program and takes great pride in stocking local products for the urban pet owner. Its downtown location and curated, USA-made focus distinguish it from larger suburban supply stores.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Stores in Knoxville

Q: Does a Knoxville pet store need a special license to operate?

A general retail pet store in Tennessee does not require a special professional license beyond standard business registration. A store registers for a business license through the county clerk once annual gross receipts exceed $3,000 and collects state and local sales tax. Stores that sell live animals take on additional animal-welfare expectations and any local permits. Tennessee does not currently license commercial breeders at the state level, since the state’s Commercial Breeder Act expired in 2014; larger commercial dog and cat breeders and dealers are instead regulated federally by the USDA under the Animal Welfare Act.

Q: How much is sales tax on pet supplies in Knoxville?

Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax, and Knox County adds a local option tax that brings the combined rate to roughly 9.25%. The same combined rate generally applies to pet food, supplies, and most taxable goods sold in a Knoxville store, so a buyer should expect tax near that level on a typical purchase.

Q: Can I bathe my own dog at a Knoxville pet store?

Yes. Some Knoxville independents offer self-service dog washes that let owners bathe a pet using provided facilities for a set fee, which is separate from a full professional groom. Agri Feed Pet Supply’s Middlebrook Pike store, for example, features a self-service dog wash called The Spaw along with a dog park.

Q: Which Knoxville pet stores carry natural or raw diets?

Several Knoxville independents specialize in natural and raw nutrition. Agri Feed Pet Supply carries natural, holistic, raw, gently cooked, fresh, freeze-dried, and premium diets and excludes corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives, while Misty’s Pet Depot and CitiFid-O both emphasize natural foods and treats. Confirming a specific brand or formula with the store before visiting helps ensure it is in stock.

Q: What should I check before buying a live animal from a Knoxville pet store?

Ask about the animal’s source and health history, request any health guarantee or return policy in writing, and confirm the store follows animal-welfare expectations for the species it sells. Tennessee no longer maintains a state commercial breeder license, but larger commercial dog and cat breeders and dealers are regulated federally by the USDA under the Animal Welfare Act, and consumers concerned about the condition of a purchased animal can raise the issue with the seller and, if unresolved, with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a Knoxville pet store?

Complaints about deceptive pricing, refused refunds, or other unfair or deceptive practices can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping the receipt, any written guarantee, and a record of communications with the store strengthens a complaint.