Best Dog and Cat Food in North York 2026: What Ashario Pets Customers Are Buying at Finch Ave West

If you live in North York and you're trying to figure out what to actually feed your dog or cat, the sheer number of options can be genuinely overwhelming. Kibble, raw, freeze-dried, air-dried, wet — every brand makes bold claims. At Ashario Pets, located at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7, our team sees hundreds of local pet owners every week, and we know exactly which products are flying off the shelves in 2026. This guide breaks down what's popular, what's working, and why — all grounded in real nutrition science so you can make a confident choice for your pet. You can also browse all dog products or explore cat products online if you want to shop before you visit.

Our North York store on Finch Ave West is open every single day from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM — yes, 365 days a year, including holidays. Customers come to us from across the North York corridor, from Wilson Heights to Jane and Finch, and frequently from the Yonge-Sheppard and Bathurst Manor areas. What they have in common is a desire to feed their pets food that's genuinely nutritious, not just marketed to look that way. As of 2026, the pet food landscape has shifted heavily toward minimally processed, high-protein, life-stage formulated diets — and that shift is clearly reflected in what our customers are buying.

Why North York Pet Owners Are Moving Away from Generic Grocery Store Pet Food

North York pet owners are increasingly choosing premium, specialty pet food over generic supermarket brands because of growing awareness around protein content, fat content, and the role of whole-food ingredients in long-term pet health. This is a pattern our team at Ashario Pets observes daily at our Finch Ave West location.

The science backs this up. According to AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials), adult dogs require a minimum of 18% crude protein on a dry-matter basis, while puppies need at least 22%. Adult cats require a minimum of 26% protein — a higher threshold that reflects their obligate carnivore biology. Many grocery-store brands meet these minimums with low-quality protein sources like hydrolyzed poultry by-product. The customers we see most satisfied are the ones who shifted to brands where named meats — chicken, beef, salmon, lamb — appear first on the ingredient list.

Taurine is a critical amino acid for cats that must come from animal protein sources. Cats cannot synthesize taurine the way dogs can, which is one reason high-meat diets are not just a trend for felines — they're a biological necessity. This is something our nutrition-focused team at Ashario Pets on Finch Ave regularly explains to new cat owners who come in asking why their cat isn't thriving on a cheaper grain-heavy food.

Key Takeaway: Minimum AAFCO thresholds (18% protein for adult dogs, 22% for puppies, 26% for adult cats) are a floor, not a ceiling. Premium brands typically exceed these significantly — many raw and freeze-dried options reach 40–50% protein on a dry-matter basis, which more closely mirrors the ancestral diet of domesticated carnivores.

The Most Popular Dog Food Brands at Ashario Pets North York in 2026

As of 2026, the top-selling dog food categories at Ashario Pets' North York location are raw frozen dog food, air-dried dog food, and premium dry kibble with named protein sources. Here's a breakdown of what our customers are choosing and why each option has earned loyal repeat buyers.

Raw Dog Food: Big Country Raw and Red Dog Blue Kat Lead the Way

Raw feeding has gone from niche to mainstream at our Finch Ave store. Customers choosing raw dog food are typically motivated by visible results: shinier coats, improved digestion, firmer stools, and better energy levels. Our team recommends starting adult dogs on approximately 2–3% of their body weight in raw food per day. A 30 lb dog, for example, would consume roughly 270–405 grams of raw food daily.

Big Country Raw is a Canadian brand that sources proteins regionally and offers a wide variety of single-protein and multi-protein blends. Their Pure line includes options like turkey, duck, and venison — excellent for dogs with sensitivities who do best on a limited ingredient, single-protein rotation. Raw Performance is another brand our customers favour, particularly for high-activity and working dogs that need dense caloric intake. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids present in cold-processed raw proteins support skin and coat health in ways that heat-processed kibble simply can't replicate.

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) advises that raw diets should be handled with proper food safety protocols — including freezing at appropriate temperatures and sanitary preparation surfaces — to minimize the risk of pathogens. We always walk customers through safe handling when they're starting a raw diet for the first time.

Air-Dried Dog Food: ZIWI Peak and Orijen Regional Red

Air-dried dog food is one of the fastest-growing categories in our North York store. Pet owners love it because it combines the nutritional density of raw with the convenience of kibble — no freezer required, no thawing time. ZIWI Peak uses a slow air-drying process that preserves nutrients while achieving a water activity level low enough to prevent pathogen growth. Their recipes are typically 96% meat, organs, and bone, which translates to very high protein content — usually above 38% on a guaranteed analysis.

Orijen's air-dried formulas are also consistently popular. Made in Canada, Orijen uses a biologically appropriate philosophy: high protein, low carbohydrate, and rich in whole prey inclusions like liver, kidney, and tripe. Their Regional Red formula, for example, contains multiple red-meat proteins and typically delivers around 38% crude protein and 20% crude fat. Our nutrition experts at the North York store often recommend Orijen air-dried as a transitional diet for dogs moving from raw to kibble, or as a kibble topper for picky eaters. You can shop air-dried dog food from our online collection.

Premium Dry Dog Food: Acana, Go! Solutions, and Farmina

Not every dog owner is ready for raw or air-dried — and that's completely fine. Premium dry kibble remains the dominant category by volume, and when you're choosing within the premium tier, the differences are meaningful. Acana's Heritage formulas typically run 29–33% protein and 15–17% fat, with a fiber content around 6–8%. Go! Solutions offers targeted life-stage formulation options including puppy, adult, and senior blends, which matters because nutritional needs shift significantly across a dog's lifespan. Farmina's N&D grain-free lines use specific kcal per kg values printed on packaging — a transparency practice that helps owners manage portion control accurately.

The Most Popular Cat Food Brands at Ashario Pets North York in 2026

In 2026, the top-selling cat food categories at Ashario Pets on Finch Ave West, North York, are wet cat food, freeze-dried cat food, and high-protein dry cat food. Cat owners in the area are increasingly choosing moisture-rich diets due to the well-documented link between adequate hydration and urinary tract health in cats.

Wet Cat Food: Tiki Cat, Weruva, and Inaba

Our team at Ashario Pets recommends wet cat food as a core part of most cats' diets because cats have a naturally low thirst drive and can become chronically dehydrated on dry-only diets. Tiki Cat is a brand that consistently resonates with our customers — their recipes are very high moisture (often 78–82% moisture content) and use whole-muscle proteins like shredded chicken breast and skipjack tuna. Weruva's BFF line and their classic pâtés use a hand-packed production method with human-grade ingredients. Inaba's Churu treats, while technically a treat format, are often used as a wet food topper by customers whose cats won't drink enough water on their own. You can browse wet cat food from our full online collection.

Freeze-Dried Cat Food and Toppers: Stella and Chewy's and Primal

Freeze-dried cat food retains nearly all of the nutritional profile of raw food because the freeze-drying process removes moisture without applying heat that would degrade proteins and enzymes. Stella and Chewy's freeze-dried raw dinner morsels, for example, contain approximately 44% protein (dry matter basis) and are formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional profiles for all life stages. Primal freeze-dried nuggets are another staple in our North York cat food section — they're particularly popular as toppers mixed into wet food to increase palatability and nutrient density. Explore our freeze-dried cat food collection to see what's currently in stock.

Dry Cat Food: Orijen, Farmina, and Carna4

When customers ask about dry cat food at our Finch Ave West location, we typically ask about life stage, indoor vs. outdoor activity level, and whether the cat has any known sensitivities. Orijen Cat and Kitten is one of our top recommendations for indoor cats that need a high-protein, grain-free diet without excessive caloric density from grains or starches. Farmina's N&D Pumpkin line is notable for using pumpkin as a prebiotic fiber source — supporting digestive health in cats prone to hairball issues. Carna4 uses sprouted seeds as a probiotic and prebiotic source, and their formulas avoid synthetic vitamin-mineral premixes by using whole-food ingredients to meet nutrient targets.

Pet owners tell us that one of the biggest differences they notice after switching to a premium dry cat food is a reduction in litter box odour — a direct sign of better digestibility and nutrient absorption. Cats on lower-quality diets excrete a much higher proportion of undigested protein, which is where much of the odour originates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Food in North York

What is the best dog food store near Finch Ave West in North York?

Ashario Pets at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7 is a dedicated premium pet supply store open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, 365 days a year. As of 2026, we carry over 79 brands of dog and cat food across every format — dry, raw, wet, freeze-dried, air-dried, and dehydrated — including Canadian-made brands like Orijen, Acana, Big Country Raw, Carna4, and Open Farm. You can reach us at +1-647-564-4433 or visit our Ashario Pets homepage to shop online.

Is raw dog food safe to feed my dog in North York?

Raw dog food is safe when handled correctly and sourced from reputable, safety-tested brands. Commercially prepared raw diets from brands like Big Country Raw and Red Dog Blue Kat undergo rigorous testing for pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli. The CVMA recommends freezing raw meat for at least 3 days before feeding as an added safety measure. Always wash hands, bowls, and preparation surfaces after handling raw food. Our team at Ashario Pets walks every new raw-feeding customer through proper handling protocols in-store. Visit our raw dog food collection to see available options.

How do I switch my cat to wet food if they only eat dry kibble?

Transition your cat gradually over 7–10 days by mixing increasing amounts of wet food into their current dry kibble — start with roughly 10% wet and 90% dry, then shift the ratio every two days. Warming wet food slightly (never microwave — use warm water or a brief warm-water bath on the pouch) increases aroma and palatability for cats that are resistant to change. Brands like Tiki Cat and Weruva have very high palatability scores with picky cats. If your cat refuses wet food entirely for more than 2–3 days, consult your veterinarian, as prolonged food refusal in cats can lead to hepatic lipidosis. Explore our wet cat food selection for options your cat will love.

What should I look for on a pet food guaranteed analysis panel?

On a guaranteed analysis panel, look for minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fiber, and maximum moisture. For dogs, a minimum of 28–30% protein (dry matter basis) is a solid benchmark for premium adult food; for cats, aim for 35–40%+ protein dry matter. Fat content between 12–18% supports energy and coat health for most adult dogs. Fiber content above 6% may benefit dogs prone to loose stools. Per AAFCO guidelines, any pet food that meets complete and balanced nutritional requirements must state so on the label, along with which life stage(s) it is formulated for. Our guide to best pet food for specific needs offers further reading on this topic.

Can I get pet food delivered to my home in North York from Ashario Pets?

Yes. Ashario Pets at Finch Ave West, North York offers GTA-wide delivery through Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, and Fantuan. Delivery is available any day of the year during our store hours (7 AM to 11 PM). For the fastest response or order questions, call us directly at +1-647-564-4433 or visit our contact page. You can also check our store FAQ for delivery zone and lead time information.