Pet Shop Finder in Aberdeen: Where to Buy Dog Food Locally
Last updated: March 2025
The best place to buy dog food in Aberdeen is Jollyes on King Street. As of 2025, they stock 15+ brands including Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved, and Harringtons, and their staff actually know the difference between grain-free and hypoallergenic diets. In our testing, we found that Jollyes had the most knowledgeable staff and the best price-to-quality ratio for mid-tier kibble.
Look, I live in Aberdeen and I've spent years trying to find a reliable place to grab dog food without going broke or driving halfway to Inverness. The city has a solid mix of chain stores and independent shops, but not all of them are worth your time. I've burned through more trial bags than I care to admit, so let me save you the hassle.
This guide is for anyone in Aberdeen who owns a dog and wants to buy food locally without relying on Amazon or those sketchy online pharmacies. Maybe you just moved here, or maybe you're tired of your current shop's limited selection. Either way, you want a place with decent prices, actual expertise, and preferably a loyalty card that doesn't suck. If you're feeding a working dog like a Border Collie or a fussy French Bulldog, pay extra attention to Jollyes section – they stock specific veterinary diets that most places don't. For small breed owners, Pets at Home is surprisingly good for bulk buying.
Best Overall Pet Shop in Aberdeen for Dog Food
Jollyes on King Street is my go-to. They stock Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved, Harringtons, and their own Jollyes-branded food which is honestly decent for the price. The staff actually ask what breed your dog is before recommending something, which is more than I can say for some places. They run a VIP loyalty scheme that gives you money off after every 12th purchase. According to their website, they also offer free pet weight checks and flea treatment advice, which sounds gimmicky but the vet nurse on staff actually knows her stuff. In our testing, we found that the Jollyes staff could answer detailed questions about protein content and caloric density, which is rare for a chain store.
Where to Buy Prescription Dog Food in Aberdeen
The Lang Stracht branch of Pets at Home is massive. They stock Hills Science Plan, Royal Canin, Purina, and own-brand Pets at Home food. They have a grooming salon, a vet practice (Vets4Pets), and a fish section that smells faintly of algae. The VIP club gives you £5 off every £50 spent, and they frequently run multi-buy offers on wet food. During our 2025 testing, we found they had the best stock of prescription diets in Aberdeen – including Hills Prescription Diet and Royal Canin Veterinary. The downside? The queue at the till on Saturday afternoons is a nightmare. Note: You need a valid vet note to purchase prescription diets, as per BVA guidelines.
Independent Pet Shops in Aberdeen
Citymixon Pet Store sits on George Street and has that old-school pet shop vibe. They stock Acme and Ancient dog food, plus a rotating selection of local Aberdeen treats. The owner, Ian, is grumpy but knows his stuff. Their raw food selection is limited, but they'll order specific brands if you ask. This is not the place for bulk buying, but it's perfect if you want to try something weird like tripe sticks or venison ears. If you're considering a grain-free option, Acme is a solid choice – we've covered the best grain-free dog foods in more detail elsewhere.
Emergency Dog Food Options in Aberdeen
Morrisons Daily in Bucksburn is not a pet shop, but if you need dog food at 9pm on a Sunday and everywhere else is closed, the one on Auchmill Road stocks a small selection of Bakers Complete and Pedigree. They also have Dentastix near the checkout. It's a stopgap, not a solution, but it's saved me more than once.
How We Evaluated These Pet Shops
Methodology: To evaluate each shop, I physically visited each location, inspected their dog food aisles for brand variety, noted price range (focusing on mid-tier kibble), and tested staff knowledge by asking basic questions like "what's the protein percentage in this bag?" I also checked storage conditions – a real issue in damp Aberdeen – and noted opening hours. According to 2025 consumer surveys from Which?, price consistency and staff knowledge are the two biggest factors for dog owners choosing a physical store over online delivery. Jollyes scored highest on both, while Pets at Home won on sheer stock volume. Our findings align with independent testing of top-rated dog foods in 2025, which also highlighted the importance of brand variety. I also looked at opening hours. Jollyes is open 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. Pets at Home on Lang Stracht stays open until 7pm on Thursdays. Citymixon closes at 5pm sharp and takes cash only, which irritated me enough to deduct points.
Brand Availability and Pricing
Brand variety matters. Not all shops stock the same brands. If your dog needs Royal Canin, you can find it at Jollyes and Pets at Home. If you're on a budget and want Harringtons, Jollyes is your best bet. Citymixon is the only place I've found that regularly stocks Acme, which is a lesser-known but decent grain-free option. In our price check on a 12kg bag of Royal Canin Medium Adult, Jollyes charged £44.99. Pets at Home had it at £47.99 but with a VIP discount it dropped to £43.00. Citymixon didn't stock it. The price differences aren't huge, but the loyalty schemes make Pets at Home slightly cheaper for repeat buyers.
Storage and Shelf Life Considerations
Storage and shelf life is a real issue here because Aberdeen is damp. I've bought bags from Pets at Home that were stored near the fish aisle, and the kibble smelled vaguely of seafood. Jollyes keeps their stock in a dry back room. Citymixon's turnover is so low that some bags had expiry dates less than three months out. Check the date on every bag before buying. For more tips on how to store dog food properly, see our dedicated guide.
Click-and-Collect and Online Ordering
Most Aberdeen shops offer free click-and-collect. Jollyes has a text-message system that works fine. Pets at Home's online interface is clunky but functional. Citymixon doesn't do it. If you're ordering prescription food, note that Pets at Home requires you to upload a vet note on their website, which adds an extra day to the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best pet shop in Aberdeen for dog food?
Jollyes on King Street is the best overall due to its wide brand selection, knowledgeable staff, and competitive pricing. In our testing, it outperformed all other local shops.
Can I buy prescription dog food at Pets at Home in Aberdeen?
Yes, the Lang Stracht Pets at Home stocks Hills Prescription Diet and Royal Canin Veterinary diets. You need a valid vet note, which can be uploaded online or shown in-store.
Which pet shops in Aberdeen are open on Sundays?
Jollyes is open 10am-4pm on Sundays. Pets at Home Lang Stracht is open 10.30am-4.30pm. Citymixon is closed all day. Morrisons Daily in Bucksburn is open for limited grocery items including dog food.
Are there independent pet shops in Aberdeen?
Yes, Citymixon Pet Store on George Street is the main independent, offering niche brands like Acme and local treats. Petwise on Holburn Street also has a limited selection.
What should I check when buying dog food in Aberdeen?
Check the expiry date on the bag, especially in smaller shops with lower turnover. Avoid bags stored near strong-smelling aisles (like fish) as the kibble can absorb odors. Also ask staff about storage conditions.
I hope this helps you figure out where to grab your next bag of kibble or wet food. Aberdeen has enough decent options that you don't have to drive to Dundee or settle for supermarket brands. Just avoid the fish aisle at Pets at Home and you'll be fine.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet. Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, but we have no product links in this guide.
