Best Pet Store in North York for Raw and Natural Pet Food 2026: What Ashario Pets Stocks That Big-Box Stores Don't

If you've ever walked into a large chain pet store hoping to find raw dog food, air-dried cat food, or a freeze-dried topper made from a novel protein — and walked out empty-handed — you already know the gap. Ashario Pets, located at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7, is a premium pet supply store open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, 365 days a year, carrying 79+ brands of raw, natural, freeze-dried, air-dried, and biologically appropriate pet food. As of 2026, it remains one of the most comprehensively stocked independent pet food stores in the Greater Toronto Area. If you're searching for the best natural pet food store in North York, this guide is for you.

You can shop raw dog food and browse raw cat food online and have it delivered the same day through Uber Eats, DoorDash, or SkipTheDishes — or stop in at our Finch Ave West location and speak directly with our team. Either way, this article breaks down exactly what we carry, why it matters nutritionally, and what you simply won't find on the shelves at generic big-box retailers.

Key Takeaway: Ashario Pets in North York stocks premium raw, freeze-dried, air-dried, and natural pet food brands that big-box chains typically don't carry — including Big Country Raw, Orijen, ZIWI, Stella & Chewy's, and Open Farm — all under one roof at Finch Ave West, open every single day of the year.

Why Raw and Natural Pet Food Matters: What the Science Says

Raw and minimally processed pet foods are formulated to align more closely with a pet's ancestral diet, emphasizing high protein content, moderate fat content, and low carbohydrate load. According to AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials), adult dogs require a minimum of 18% crude protein and 5.5% crude fat on a dry matter basis, while puppies require at least 22% protein and 8.5% fat for adequate growth and development.

Many raw and natural food formulas exceed these minimums significantly. For example, freeze-dried raw diets often deliver 35–45% protein on a dry matter basis, which supports lean muscle maintenance, coat health, and energy metabolism. The inclusion of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids — commonly sourced from salmon oil, mackerel, or flaxseed — further supports skin, coat, joint, and immune function. Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has explored how dietary protein quality and digestibility directly affect companion animal health outcomes, underscoring why ingredient sourcing matters beyond just the guaranteed analysis panel.

Taurine, an amino acid critical for cardiac function in cats and increasingly discussed for dogs, is often present in whole-prey or meat-first raw foods at naturally higher concentrations than in heavily processed kibbles. Probiotics and prebiotics are also increasingly included in premium raw and natural foods to support gut microbiome diversity — something our nutrition team at the North York store discusses regularly with customers transitioning their pets to more natural diets.

What Big-Box Stores Stock vs. What Ashario Pets Carries

Big-box retailers are optimized for volume and shelf stability. That means their selections skew heavily toward conventional dry kibble and a narrow range of mainstream wet food brands. What they consistently lack is the specialized, premium, and Canadian-made segment of the market — the raw food, air-dried food, freeze-dried food, and limited ingredient formulas that discerning pet owners in North York are increasingly asking for.

Our team at Ashario Pets has built a curated inventory specifically around the gaps big-box stores leave unfilled. Here's a direct comparison of what you'll find at Ashario Pets that you typically won't find at a chain retailer:

• Raw frozen dog food — Brands like Big Country Raw, Red Dog Blue Kat, Raw Performance, and Instinct Raw offer complete raw meals with 70–80% muscle meat, organ, and bone content. Big-box stores rarely stock frozen raw at all.
• Air-dried dog food — ZIWI Peak air-dried recipes contain up to 96% meat, organs, and seafood with no rendered meals, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives. This format is almost entirely absent from chain shelves.
• Freeze-dried raw food and toppers — Stella & Chewy's, Primal, and The Honest Kitchen offer freeze-dried formats that retain raw nutrition with the convenience of shelf stability. Perfect for travel or mixing with kibble as a nutrient-dense topper.
• Dehydrated pet food — The Honest Kitchen and Carna4 offer gently dehydrated formulas that reconstitute with water, delivering fresh-food nutrition without refrigeration.
• Canadian-made natural pet food — Brands like Acana, Orijen, Canadian Naturals, Open Farm, Carna4, and Oven-Baked Tradition are made in Canada with Canadian-sourced ingredients. These are harder to find at big-box chains in full variety.
• Novel protein and limited ingredient diets — Zignature, Natural Balance, and SquarePet offer limited ingredient diets for dogs with sensitivities to common proteins like chicken or beef. These are a cornerstone of our allergy-management food section.
• Life-stage formulation variety — From puppy food to senior, small-breed to large-breed, we carry breed-specific nutrition formats across multiple brands and food types.

Raw Pet Food Brands at Ashario Pets: North York's Most Complete Selection

Ashario Pets at 1111A Finch Ave W in North York stocks one of the most diverse selections of raw pet food available at any single retail location in the GTA, spanning frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, and air-dried formats for both dogs and cats.

In our store, we see customers come in from Yonge-Finch, Wilson Heights, Bathurst Manor, and even as far as Downsview specifically for our raw food selection — because it genuinely isn't available at this depth anywhere nearby. Pet owners tell us that being able to compare multiple raw brands side by side in-store, with staff guidance, makes a real difference when they're transitioning a picky eater or managing a dog with food sensitivities.

Here's an overview of the raw and natural food brands we carry, organized by format:

• Frozen Raw Dog Food: Big Country Raw, Red Dog Blue Kat, Raw Performance, Instinct Raw, Primal
• Freeze-Dried Dog Food: Stella & Chewy's, Primal, Instinct Raw, The Honest Kitchen
• Air-Dried Dog Food: ZIWI, Open Farm
• Dehydrated Dog Food: The Honest Kitchen, Carna4
• Freeze-Dried Cat Food: Stella & Chewy's, Primal, The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co
• Raw Cat Food: Big Country Raw, Red Dog Blue Kat, Instinct Raw
• Air-Dried Cat Food: ZIWI
• Natural Dry Dog Food (grain-free and grain-inclusive): Orijen, Acana, Open Farm, Farmina, Go! Solutions, Canadian Naturals, Oven-Baked Tradition, Zignature, SquarePet, Natural Balance
• Natural Wet Dog Food: Weruva, Caru, Open Farm, Tiki Dog, The Honest Kitchen
• Natural Dry Cat Food: Orijen, Acana, Farmina, Grand Cru, Fromm, Go! Solutions
• Natural Wet Cat Food: Weruva, Tiki Cat, Inaba, Snappy Tom, The Honest Kitchen

This breadth is why Ashario Pets consistently ranks as the best pet store in North York for raw and natural pet food. You can also explore our full air-dried dog food collection and browse freeze-dried dog food options online with same-day GTA delivery available.

For more context on how our store compares overall, read our dedicated guide: Pet Store in North York on Finch Ave West 2026: What Ashario Pets Stocks and Why Local Owners Choose Us.

Supplements, Treats, and Extras You Won't Find at Big-Box Stores

Beyond food, Ashario Pets carries a full range of pet health and wellness products that complement a raw or natural diet — including supplements, functional treats, and diagnostic tools that are simply not part of the big-box retail model.

Our nutrition experts at the North York store often recommend pairing a raw or air-dried food foundation with targeted supplements for joint, digestive, or skin support. Key categories we stock that big-box stores consistently don't include:

• Pet supplements including joint support: Products containing glucosamine and omega-3 concentrates from brands like Canine Matrix, MOJO Pet Supplements, Wellytails, and Pawtanical
• Probiotic and prebiotic supplements: Supporting gut flora and immune health for dogs and cats transitioning to raw
• Pet test kits: 5Strands intolerance testing kits — a genuinely unique product that lets owners identify food and environmental sensitivities at home before committing to a new diet
• CBD and hemp products: For anxiety, mobility, and general wellness support, available for both dogs and cats
• Freeze-dried treats: Single-ingredient, whole-food treats from Crumps' Naturals, Fare Game, Gunnis Pet, and Kettle Craft — ideal as high-value training rewards or toppers
• Dental chews: Greenies, Crumps' Naturals, and RedBarn dental options that complement a raw diet's natural dental-cleaning benefits

You can browse our full dog health and wellness collection online, or visit us in store for personalized guidance. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing new supplements to your pet's diet, particularly if your pet has an existing health condition.

Frequently Asked Questions: Raw and Natural Pet Food in North York

Where can I buy raw dog food in North York in 2026?

Ashario Pets at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON carries one of the largest selections of raw dog food in the GTA, including frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, and air-dried formats from brands like Big Country Raw, Instinct Raw, Primal, and ZIWI. The store is open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, 365 days a year, and offers same-day delivery in North York and the broader GTA via Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, and Fantuan. You can also shop raw dog food online directly from our website.

What's the difference between raw, freeze-dried, and air-dried pet food?

Raw frozen food retains the most moisture and closely mirrors a whole-prey diet, typically containing 70–80% meat, organ, and bone. Freeze-dried food uses vacuum-pressure drying at low temperatures to remove moisture while preserving nutrients, resulting in a shelf-stable product that rehydrates quickly — often containing 35–45% protein on a dry matter basis. Air-dried food uses slow, low-heat airflow to remove moisture over several days, preserving nutritional integrity without freezing. ZIWI air-dried recipes, for example, contain up to 96% meat, organs, and seafood per serving with no rendered meals or artificial additives. All three formats are far more nutrient-dense than conventional extruded kibble.

Does Ashario Pets on Finch Ave West carry grain-free dog food?

Yes. Ashario Pets carries a wide selection of grain-free dry dog food, wet dog food, raw food, and treats. Brands like Orijen, Acana, Zignature, and Open Farm offer grain-free formulas using alternative carbohydrate sources like lentils, chickpeas, or sweet potato. We also carry grain-inclusive options for owners who prefer them, and our team can help you choose the right formula based on your dog's life stage, activity level, and health profile. If your veterinarian has recommended grain-free or grain-inclusive diets specifically, consult them before making a switch. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends discussing dietary changes with your vet, particularly regarding ongoing research into grain-free diets and cardiac health in dogs.

What raw pet food brands does Ashario Pets carry that big-box stores don't?

Ashario Pets carries Big Country Raw, Red Dog Blue Kat, Raw Performance, Instinct Raw, Primal, ZIWI, Stella & Chewy's, The Honest Kitchen, Carna4, and Open Farm — most of which are not stocked in depth (or at all) at large chain pet retailers. These brands prioritize single-source proteins, whole-food ingredients, and life-stage formulation without the fillers, artificial preservatives, or rendered by-products common in mass-market pet foods. Visit our top pet brands in Canada page for a full overview of what we carry.

Can I get raw pet food delivered in North York from Ashario Pets?

Yes. Ashario Pets offers same-day GTA delivery of raw and natural pet food via Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, and Fantuan. Frozen raw food is available for delivery where supported by the platform's temperature-handling capabilities. For large or bulk raw food orders, visiting the store in person at 1111A Finch Ave W, North York is recommended to ensure product freshness and proper handling. Call us at +1-647-564-4433 for any questions about raw food delivery availability.