Looking for the best pet shops in Tauranga? From raw and premium dry food to aquarium gear, grooming, puppy school and DIY dog washes, these pet stores in Tauranga cover dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles and small pets across Greerton, Bethlehem, the city centre and Mount Maunganui. Local independents such as Pet Essentials Tauranga and KiwiPetz sit alongside national chains with in-store services.
1Pet Essentials Tauranga
Pet Essentials Tauranga is an owner-operated pet shop on Cameron Road in Greerton, set up in 1999 around the idea of raw meat feeding for dogs and cats. It stocks preservative-free frozen meats and minces alongside premium dry foods, and the team works with owners to find a diet that suits their pet, lifestyle and budget. A good fit for raw feeders and anyone after nutrition advice for a dog or cat.
Services
- Preservative-free raw frozen meats and minces
- Premium dry foods and biscuits
- Dog rolls and pet treats
- Bird seed, aquatic and reptile food
- Collars, leads and pet accessories
Highlights
- Operating in Tauranga since 1999
- Part of the Pet Essentials group of owner-operated North Island stores
- Member of the Indepet independent buying group since 2012
- K9000 DIY dog wash on site
Location & Contact
Name: Pet Essentials Tauranga
Address: 1343 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga 3112
Phone: 07 541 1536
Website: www.petessentialstauranga.co.nz
2KiwiPetz
KiwiPetz is a family-owned pet store that has served Tauranga pet owners since 2008, with a physical shop on Maleme Street in Greerton and an online store delivering nationwide. Its range runs well beyond cats and dogs, taking in an extensive aquarium section with live fish and plants, horse saddlery and farm animal supplies. It suits fish keepers, lifestyle block owners and anyone wanting everything pet-related under one roof.
Services
- Dog and cat food, treats and accessories
- Aquarium supplies, live fish and live plants
- Saddlery and horse wear
- Farm animal supplies
- Dog training collars and containment systems
Highlights
- Family owned and serving Tauranga since 2008
- Sources specialised aquarium items on request
- Carries brands including Ziwi, Aqua One, Seachem, API and EzyDog
- Rewards programme with automatic repeat deliveries
- Shop in store or online
Location & Contact
Name: KiwiPetz
Address: 113b Maleme Street, Greerton, Tauranga 3112
Phone: 07 578 8623
Website: kiwipetz.co.nz
3Animates Tauranga
Animates Tauranga is the city centre branch of the national Animates pet store chain, on the corner of Cameron Road and First Avenue. The store carries food, health and housing products for dogs, cats, fish, small pets, reptiles, birds and backyard chickens, with a DIY dog wash and puppy preschool on site. It suits owners who want a large range and chain loyalty benefits close to the central city.
Services
- Dog and cat food, including frozen and wet ranges
- Flea, tick and worm treatments
- Fish, reptile, bird and small pet supplies
- DIY dog wash
- Puppy preschool
Highlights
- Petpoints loyalty programme and Frequent Feeder food savings
- Taste Guarantee on pet food
- Click and collect from the store
Location & Contact
Name: Animates Tauranga
Address: Corner of Cameron Road and First Avenue, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 07 577 1095
Website: www.animates.co.nz/store-finder/tauranga
4Petstock Bethlehem
Petstock Bethlehem is the Tauranga branch of the Petstock pet store chain, located in Bethlehem Town Centre on the western side of the city. Alongside pet food and accessories, the store offers grooming by qualified groomers, puppy school and a DIY wash with an elevated tub. It is open seven days, making it handy for western bay owners and those combining pet shopping with other errands.
Services
- Pet food, treats and accessories
- Professional dog grooming
- Puppy school classes
- DIY dog wash
Highlights
- Free aquarium water testing in store
- Personalised pet ID tag engraving
- Open seven days a week
- Petstock Rewards loyalty programme
Location & Contact
Name: Petstock Bethlehem
Address: Shop C7, Bethlehem Town Centre, 19 Bethlehem Road, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 07 571 2455
Website: www.petstock.co.nz/store/petstock-bethlehem-8038
5Raw Essentials Mount Maunganui
Raw Essentials Mount Maunganui is a specialist raw pet food store on Maunganui Road, opened in January 2020 and part of a New Zealand raw pet food company. Its nutrition specialists give personalised feeding advice for dogs and cats, and the store is a few minutes from the State Highway 2 exit for shoppers from Papamoa and Tauranga. Best suited to owners moving a pet onto a raw diet or already feeding raw.
Services
- Frozen raw blends, rolls and bulk raw food
- Raw bones and green tripe
- Bone broth and freeze-dried meals
- Natural treats and supplements
- Toys and enrichment
Highlights
- Personalised feeding plans and nutrition support
- Access to an in-house vet service
- Locally sourced frozen raw pet food
- Open seven days
Location & Contact
Name: Raw Essentials Mount Maunganui
Address: 525 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui 3116
Phone: 07 572 0518
Website: www.rawessentials.co.nz/p/raw-essentials-mount-maunganui
Pet Shops in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Pet Essentials Tauranga | Operating in Tauranga since 1999 |
| KiwiPetz | Family owned and serving Tauranga since 2008 |
| Animates Tauranga | Petpoints loyalty programme and Frequent Feeder food savings |
| Petstock Bethlehem | Free aquarium water testing in store |
| Raw Essentials Mount Maunganui | Personalised feeding plans and nutrition support |
How to Choose the Right Pet Shop in Tauranga
- Match the store to your animal: fish keepers, horse owners and reptile keepers need a shop with a genuine specialist section, not a single shelf.
- Check the food range: if you feed raw or a specific premium brand, confirm the store stocks it regularly so you are not switching foods at short notice.
- Look at in-store services: grooming, DIY dog wash, puppy school and aquarium water testing can save separate trips.
- Ask for advice: good pet shop staff will talk through diet changes, tank setups and new pet needs rather than just ringing up a sale.
- Consider location and hours: Greerton, the city centre, Bethlehem and Mount Maunganui are all covered, so pick the store that fits your regular route.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Pet Shops
Where can I buy raw pet food in Tauranga?
Several pet shops in Tauranga carry frozen raw meat for dogs and cats, and some specialise in it, offering minces, bones, tripe and complete raw blends. Ask in store about feeding amounts and how to transition safely from a dry diet. The Ministry for Primary Industries sets out how pet food is regulated in New Zealand.
Which pet shop is closest to me in Tauranga?
Pet stores are spread across the city. Greerton has two independent shops on Cameron Road and Maleme Street, the city centre has a store at Cameron Road and First Avenue, Bethlehem Town Centre serves the western suburbs, and Mount Maunganui has a raw food specialist on Maunganui Road that is also convenient for Papamoa.
Can I get my dog groomed at a pet shop?
Some pet shops in Tauranga offer professional grooming by booking, and several have DIY dog wash stations with raised tubs, shampoos and dryers so you can wash your dog yourself. Check with the individual store, as services vary by branch.
Do Tauranga pet stores sell aquarium fish and supplies?
Yes. Some stores carry live fish and live plants along with tanks, filters, filter media and water treatments. Several also offer free water testing if you bring in a sample from your tank.
Do I need to register my dog in Tauranga?
Yes. All dogs must be registered with the council by three months of age, and registration renews each year. Details and fees are on the Tauranga City Council dog registration page. Many pet shops can engrave an ID tag to go on your dog’s collar alongside the registration tag.
Can I buy pet supplies online from a Tauranga pet store?
Many local pet shops now run online stores with delivery or click and collect, so you can order heavy bags of food or regular flea and worm treatments and pick them up or have them delivered.
Do pet shops in Tauranga run puppy classes?
Some chain pet stores run puppy school or puppy preschool sessions in store. These usually require your puppy to be vaccinated, so ask the store what records to bring when you book.
How We Chose the Best Pet Shops in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for pet shops in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.