Pet Stores in Memphis

June 14, 2026

Unlike a quick online reorder of kibble, a Memphis 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. Memphis is Tennessee’s second-largest city, with a population of roughly 619,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and it is the birthplace of a widely recognized regional pet retail brand. That long retail history, combined with a large base of pet-owning households across neighborhoods like Midtown, Cooper-Young, and the Broad Avenue arts district, supports a mix of independent shops and longstanding local stores built around natural diets, grooming, and supplies.

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 city the size of Memphis, that demand shows up in stores that stock premium kibble, freeze-dried and gently cooked diets, supplements, toys, and supplies for dogs and cats, and in some cases live animals such as fish, reptiles, or small pets. The practical result for shoppers is choice: a buyer can compare a decades-old neighborhood store, a smaller specialty food shop, and a full-service store carrying live animals 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 Shelby County the combined rate reaches roughly 9.75%. 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 Memphis reflects how owners shop today. Many stores emphasize natural, holistic, and U.S.-sourced diets, carry collars, leashes, beds, and toys, and add services like grooming and 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 Memphis

1. Hollywood Feed

Address: 2648 Broad Ave., Memphis, TN 38112
Phone: (901) 452-2474
Website: https://www.hollywoodfeed.com
Services: natural and holistic pet food and treats, supplies, grooming, self-serve dog wash, in-store shopping, delivery, pickup
Description: Hollywood Feed is a Memphis-founded pet specialty retailer that traces its roots to a neighborhood feed store in the city decades ago and remains headquartered in Memphis. The Broad Ave. store is described as the oldest Hollywood Feed location, with a history that began in a gas station on the corner and now anchors a store in the Broad Avenue arts district. The company emphasizes holistic and natural foods and treats with Made-in-USA sourcing and products not sourced from China, and it offers pet grooming and a self-serve dog wash. From a single Memphis store the brand has grown into a multi-store, multi-state operation, but its original locations, including the Broad Ave. and Midtown stores, keep a neighborhood feel and staff focused on pet nutrition guidance.

2. Best Feed Pet Food & Supplies

Address: 5910 Mt Moriah Rd Ste 107, Memphis, TN 38115
Phone: (901) 417-7258
Website: https://www.dogdog.org/pet-store/best-feed-pet-food-supplies-memphis
Services: premium pet food, treats, toys, beds, accessories, grooming, training classes, adoption events
Description: Best Feed Pet Food & Supplies is a Memphis pet store on Mt Moriah Rd that stocks food and supplies across multiple pet categories, including dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and small animals. The store carries premium foods, treats, toys, beds, and accessories, and it offers grooming, training classes, and adoption events, positioning itself as a full-service neighborhood destination rather than a food-only shop. Staff are described as knowledgeable with pet-industry experience and able to offer product and care guidance, and the store is open seven days a week. Its breadth of categories makes it a practical option for owners of less common pets as well as dogs and cats.

3. Benny’s Specialty Dog Foods

Address: 6489 E Raines Rd, Memphis, TN 38115
Phone: (901) 249-8121
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bennys-Specialty-Dog-Foods-100063631194984/ (Facebook page; no dedicated website)
Services: specialty and gently cooked dog food, treats, in-store shopping
Description: Benny’s Specialty Dog Foods is a Memphis specialty store on E Raines Rd focused on dog nutrition, founded in January 2020. The store emphasizes gently cooked, fresh-ingredient diets and specialty formulas, carrying products such as Bonnihill Farms ChickiBowls and a range of recipes including puppy, adult, and ancient-grains options. As a small specialty retailer, it concentrates on a curated food selection and individualized guidance rather than a broad general-merchandise inventory, which appeals to owners seeking specific diet formulations for their dogs. It is open daily, including Sunday afternoons.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Stores in Memphis

Q: Does a Memphis 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 Memphis?

Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax, and Shelby County adds a local option tax that brings the combined rate to roughly 9.75%. The same combined rate generally applies to pet food, supplies, and most taxable goods sold in a Memphis store, so a buyer should expect tax near that level on a typical purchase.

Q: Which Memphis pet stores carry live animals like fish or reptiles?

Some Memphis stores carry live animals in addition to food and supplies. Best Feed Pet Food & Supplies, for example, stocks products for dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and small animals. Availability of specific species changes over time, so it is best to confirm current live-animal inventory with the store before visiting.

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

Yes. Some Memphis stores offer self-serve dog washes that let owners bathe a pet using provided tubs, shampoos, and dryers for a set fee, which is separate from a full professional groom. Hollywood Feed’s Broad Ave. store, for example, offers a self-serve dog wash alongside professional grooming.

Q: What should I check before buying a live animal from a Memphis 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 Memphis 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.