Best Pet Services in Halifax: Vets, Groomers & Pet Stores Your Pets Will Love

Halifax is a great city to have a pet. The trails, the beaches, the parks—there’s space to explore. But keeping your furry (or scaly, or feathered) friend healthy and happy requires finding the right services. Good vets, reliable groomers, and pet stores that stock what you actually need.

We’ve compiled this guide based on local recommendations, reviews, and firsthand experience. Whether you’re new to Halifax with a pet or looking to upgrade your current services, here’s where to look.

Veterinary Clinics

Finding a vet you trust is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet owner. You want medical expertise, obviously—but also a practice that communicates clearly, handles your pet gently, and doesn’t make every visit feel like a sales pitch.

Carnegy Animal Hospital

Consistently recommended by Halifax pet owners, Carnegy Animal Hospital has built a reputation for thorough, compassionate care. They handle everything from routine wellness visits to complex medical cases.

Services: Wellness exams, vaccinations, surgery, dental care, diagnostics, senior pet care

What Sets Them Apart: The staff takes time to explain diagnoses and treatment options without making you feel rushed. Multiple reviewers mention feeling genuinely cared for—not processed.

Best For: General veterinary care, pet owners wanting a long-term relationship with their vet

“They’ve taken care of three of my dogs over the years. Couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.” — Long-time Client

Atlantic Cat Hospital

If you have cats, this is the place. Atlantic Cat Hospital specializes exclusively in feline care, which means equipment, handling techniques, and even the waiting room are designed specifically for cats. No barking dogs in the lobby stressing out your kitty.

Services: Feline wellness care, dental, surgery, senior cat care, behavioral consultations

What Sets Them Apart: Cat-only practices understand feline-specific conditions and behaviors that general practices might miss. The stress reduction from a dog-free environment is real.

Best For: Cat owners, cats with anxiety, multi-cat households

“They take very good care of cats. I run a local cat rescue and this is where I bring all of them.” — Local Rescue Operator

Bedford Highway Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Jim Gillis leads this practice, which has earned loyal clients across Bedford and Halifax. The combination of medical skill and genuine warmth keeps families coming back for generations of pets.

Services: General practice, surgery, dental care, wellness programs, diagnostics

What Sets Them Apart: Dr. Gillis is frequently described as “outstanding” by patients. The practice maintains a personal feel despite serving a large client base.

Best For: Bedford residents, families wanting continuity of care

Weste Animal Hospital (Lawrencetown)

Located on Lawrencetown Road, Weste Animal Hospital serves the eastern HRM area with comprehensive veterinary services. They’re a good option for pet owners outside the Halifax core.

Services: General veterinary care, surgery, dental, emergency services

Best For: Eastern HRM residents, rural pet owners

Emergency Veterinary Care

Know where to go before you need it:

• Metro Animal Emergency Clinic handles after-hours emergencies when your regular vet is closed
• Many general practices offer some emergency capacity during business hours—ask your regular vet about their policy

Pet Groomers

A good groomer does more than make your pet look nice. They check for skin issues, ear problems, and other health concerns. They handle nervous animals with patience. And they send your pet home clean, comfortable, and not traumatized.

Jollytails

With locations in both Halifax and Dartmouth, Jollytails is more than a groomer—it’s a full-service pet facility. Beyond grooming, they offer daycare, training, retail, and even social events for dogs.

Services: Full grooming (bathing, blow-drying, haircuts, nail trimming), daycare, training, pet retail

What Sets Them Apart: The one-stop-shop model means your dog can play all day and come home groomed. The staff genuinely loves dogs, which shows in how they handle nervous or energetic pups.

Best For: Dog owners wanting grooming + daycare, social dogs, busy professionals

Fricker’s Furry Friends

A top-rated groomer selected through rigorous expert evaluation, Fricker’s has built a loyal following for quality work and gentle handling.

Services: Full grooming services, breed-specific cuts, nail care

What Sets Them Apart: Attention to detail and consistency. Your dog looks the same great every time.

Best For: Owners particular about grooming quality, dogs needing breed-specific cuts

Naughty Paw

With over six years in the grooming business, Naughty Paw combines quality grooming with a retail shop carrying pet supplies, specialty items, and clothing. The accessible pricing makes regular grooming more feasible.

Services: Full grooming, nail trimming, specialty treatments, pet retail

What Sets Them Apart: Quality work at accessible rates. They’ve built a reputation for treating every pet like their own.

Best For: Budget-conscious pet owners, one-stop grooming and supply shopping

Tim’s Dog Shop

A local favorite that consistently appears on “best of” lists for Halifax groomers. Tim’s focuses on dogs and does the job well.

Services: Dog grooming, bathing, haircuts, nail care

Best For: Dog owners wanting reliable, straightforward grooming

Suds Up Pup

Self-serve dog washing for owners who want to do it themselves, plus full grooming services. The DIY option works well for dogs who are comfortable with their owners handling the bath.

Services: Self-serve dog wash, full grooming services

Best For: DIY-inclined owners, large dogs (easier than your bathtub)

Pet Stores & Supplies

Planet Paws Pet Essentials (Dartmouth)

Located on Montebello Drive in Dartmouth, Planet Paws stocks a curated selection of quality pet food, including raw options sourced locally. The staff knows their products and can help you navigate dietary needs.

Inventory: Premium dog and cat food, raw food options, locally-sourced treats (marrow bones, beef ribs), toys, accessories

What Sets Them Apart: Knowledgeable staff who can discuss nutrition in depth. A complimentary scale lets you track your pet’s weight. Open late (until 10pm daily, 11pm Fridays and Saturdays).

Best For: Pet owners prioritizing nutrition, raw feeders, late-night supply runs

“Friendly and knowledgeable staff, lots of healthy dog food options including raw. They carry locally sourced products and have a scale to weigh your pets.” — Customer Review

Jollytails Pet Supply

Connected to the grooming and daycare facility, Jollytails retail carries food, treats, toys, and accessories. Convenient if you’re already there for other services.

Inventory: Pet food, treats, toys, accessories, training supplies

Best For: Jollytails daycare/grooming clients, one-stop shopping

Global Pet Foods

A chain with local presence, Global Pet Foods focuses on premium and holistic pet food brands. They often carry items you won’t find at big-box retailers.

Inventory: Premium pet food brands, natural treats, supplements, accessories

Best For: Owners seeking specific dietary brands, holistic pet food shoppers

Pet Valu (Multiple Locations)

With several locations across HRM including Lacewood Drive, Pet Valu offers a solid selection of mainstream and premium brands at competitive prices.

Inventory: Dog and cat food, small animal supplies, aquarium supplies, treats, toys

Best For: Convenient pickup, competitive pricing, variety

PetSmart (Chain Lake Drive)

The big-box option for when you need selection and one-stop shopping. Chain Lake location is well-stocked with everything from food to aquarium supplies to small pets.

Inventory: Full pet supply range, grooming services, veterinary clinic on-site, small animals and fish for sale

Best For: One-stop shopping, emergency supply runs, aquarium hobbyists

1 Fish 2 Fish Dartmouth Aquarium Supplies

For aquarium enthusiasts, this Dartmouth shop specializes in fish and aquatic supplies with expertise you won’t find at general pet stores.

Inventory: Tropical and marine fish, aquariums, filtration, plants, aquarium supplies

Best For: Aquarium hobbyists, serious fishkeepers

Dog-Friendly Halifax: Bonus Spots

Since you’re here, let’s talk about where to enjoy Halifax with your dog:

Off-Leash Parks:

• Point Pleasant Park (designated off-leash areas)
• Shubie Park (trails and off-leash sections)
• Hemlock Ravine Park
• Admiral’s Cove Dog Park

Dog-Friendly Patios:

• Many Halifax patios welcome dogs during warmer months—always ask first
• The waterfront has several dog-friendly spots

Beaches:

• Crystal Crescent Beach (dogs allowed in off-season)
• Martinique Beach (one of the longest in Nova Scotia)
• Rainbow Haven Beach

Tips for New Pet Owners in Halifax

Register with a vet before you need one. Having an established relationship makes emergency situations easier and ensures you have someone who knows your pet’s history.

Budget for grooming. Regular grooming prevents mats, skin issues, and keeps you aware of any changes in your pet’s body. Every 6-8 weeks is typical for most dogs.

Know your emergency options. Save the Metro Animal Emergency Clinic number in your phone now.

Stock up before holidays. Pet stores and vet clinics have reduced hours during holidays—plan ahead.

Consider pet insurance. Veterinary costs can be significant. Insurance helps manage unexpected expenses.

Red Flags to Watch For

Veterinary clinics:

• Pressure to do extensive (expensive) testing at every visit
• Unwillingness to explain diagnoses or answer questions
• Difficulty getting appointments within a reasonable timeframe
• High staff turnover (your pet sees a different vet every time)

Groomers:

• Dogs coming home stressed, exhausted, or injured
• Rushed appointments that don’t allow proper handling
• Kenneling animals for extended periods before/after grooming
• Unwillingness to let you see the grooming area

Pet stores:

• Selling puppies or kittens (reputable stores partner with rescues, not breeders)
• Staff who can’t answer basic questions about products
• Expired food or supplements on shelves

Our Recommendations

For veterinary care, Carnegy Animal Hospital earns top marks for comprehensive care with a personal touch. Cat owners should absolutely check out Atlantic Cat Hospital—the cat-specific expertise and stress-free environment make a real difference.

For grooming, Jollytails wins for the full-service experience, especially if you use their daycare. For standalone grooming, Fricker’s Furry Friends delivers consistently excellent results.

For pet supplies, Planet Paws Pet Essentials stands out for knowledgeable staff and quality products, especially if you’re interested in raw or premium nutrition. PetSmart on Chain Lake handles the basics reliably.

Your pets are family. They deserve practitioners and services that treat them that way.

Services, hours, and availability vary. Contact businesses directly to confirm current offerings and pricing.