Best Premium Pet Food Store in Markham Ontario 2026: Raw, Freeze-Dried and Natural Brands for Dog and Cat Owners

Markham pet owners looking for raw dog food, freeze-dried cat food, and natural pet nutrition brands in 2026 have more options than ever — but not all pet stores carry the same quality. Ashario Pets, located at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7, is the closest premium pet supply destination for Markham residents, serving the broader GTA with 79+ verified brands of dog food, treats, and accessories and an equally deep selection of cat food, litter, and wellness products. Open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, 365 days a year, Ashario Pets is built for busy pet owners who need premium supplies on their schedule.

If you live in Markham, Unionville, Cornell, or Stouffville, the drive to North York along Highway 404 or the DVP typically takes 25–35 minutes — and Ashario Pets offers same-day delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, and Fantuan so you can skip the commute entirely. This guide breaks down what Markham dog and cat owners should know about raw, freeze-dried, and natural pet food brands available nearby, and why quality nutrition matters more than convenience alone.

Why Markham Pet Owners Are Prioritizing Premium Pet Food in 2026

As of 2026, Markham is one of the fastest-growing communities in the GTA, and its pet owner population has grown alongside it. More Markham residents are asking harder questions about what goes into their pet's bowl — and they're right to ask. According to AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials), adult dogs require a minimum of 18% crude protein and 5.5% crude fat in their diet, while puppies need at least 22% protein and 8% fat to support healthy development. Many mass-market pet foods barely meet these minimums.

Premium brands do more than hit the floor. Our nutrition experts at the North York store regularly explain to customers that life-stage formulation matters — a senior dog's ideal protein level, digestibility needs, and omega-3 intake are different from a puppy's. A product that simply says "all life stages" may be calibrated for the lowest common denominator. Markham dog owners who shop at Ashario Pets consistently tell us they see tangible differences: better coat condition, more stable energy, and improved digestion when they move from grocery-store kibble to a properly formulated food.

Key Takeaway: AAFCO minimum nutritional standards are just a floor. Markham pet owners choosing premium brands like Orijen, Acana, or Open Farm are giving their dogs and cats food that far exceeds those minimums — with real, named meat proteins, higher omega-3 content, and life-stage-specific nutrient profiles.

Best Raw Dog Food Brands Available to Markham Ontario Pet Owners

Raw dog food is one of the most requested product categories at Ashario Pets, and Markham pet owners searching for raw options nearby will find a comprehensive frozen and freeze-dried raw selection at our North York store — available for delivery across the GTA. Shop our raw dog food collection to see what's in stock.

The premise of raw feeding is straightforward: dogs evolved on whole prey, and many nutritionists argue that minimally processed meat, organ, and bone-based diets better reflect that biology. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) recommends always consulting your veterinarian before transitioning to a raw diet, particularly for households with immunocompromised individuals or young children. That said, for healthy adult dogs with no underlying conditions, a balanced commercial raw diet can deliver excellent protein content and bioavailability.

At Ashario Pets, our team sees customers from Markham, Richmond Hill, and Scarborough regularly transitioning their dogs to raw. The brands we carry include:

• Big Country Raw — A Canadian-made frozen raw brand offering complete dinners with approximately 75–80% muscle meat, organ, and bone. Widely recommended for medium and large breeds.
• Primal — Freeze-dried raw nuggets that reconstitute with water. High in protein (typically 30%+ on a dry matter basis) and useful for Markham pet owners who want raw nutrition without frozen storage hassle.
• Instinct Raw — Freeze-dried raw patties and toppers with single-protein options, suitable for dogs with food sensitivities.
• Red Dog Blue Kat — A Canadian raw brand with both dog and cat formulas, made with ethically sourced meats.
• Stella & Chewy's — Freeze-dried raw meals and meal mixers. Their Chicken Dinner Patties contain roughly 38% protein (dry matter) and are a popular raw transition food.
• Raw Performance — A Canadian brand focusing on high-meat raw frozen blends for working and active dogs.

When a Markham customer comes in asking about transitioning a medium-sized dog (roughly 25 kg / 55 lbs) to raw, our team typically recommends starting at 2% of body weight per day — about 500g — split across two meals, and adjusting based on body condition and stool quality over 2–3 weeks.

Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food and Cat Food Near Markham Ontario

Freeze-dried pet food is the fastest-growing format in premium pet nutrition, and it's easy to see why Markham pet owners are interested. Freeze-drying removes moisture through a cold vacuum process that preserves raw nutrition — including intact enzymes, amino acids, and natural omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids — without the need for refrigeration. A typical freeze-dried raw food retains 95%+ of its original nutritional profile post-processing.

For cats especially, freeze-dried is a compelling format. Cats are obligate carnivores requiring taurine (at least 400mg/kg dry matter per AAFCO standards) and high animal-sourced protein. Most freeze-dried cat foods deliver 40–50% protein on a dry matter basis, significantly higher than the 26% minimum AAFCO requires for adult cats. Browse freeze-dried cat food options available for delivery to Markham and the surrounding GTA.

For dogs, freeze-dried dog food options at Ashario Pets include brands like Stella & Chewy's, Primal, and The Honest Kitchen — all verified brands we carry in-store at our North York location. These products work well as complete meals or as toppers mixed into dry kibble, which is a technique our team often recommends when a dog is particularly food-motivated but their owner wants to stretch a premium food budget.

Best Natural Dry Dog Food and Dry Cat Food Brands for Markham Pet Owners

Not every Markham pet owner is ready to commit to raw or freeze-dried — and that's completely valid. Premium dry food has come a long way, and brands like Orijen, Acana, Farmina, and Carna4 offer genuinely high-quality kibble with whole-food ingredients, limited synthetic additives, and meaningful guaranteed analysis panels.

Here's what Markham dog and cat owners should look for on a dry food label:

• Protein source is first ingredient — Named meats (chicken, salmon, lamb) rather than "meat meal" or "poultry by-product"
• Minimum 26% crude protein for dogs — Premium adult dog foods typically deliver 30–38% protein
• Omega-3 to omega-6 ratio — Ideally between 1:4 and 1:10; many standard kibbles skew too high in omega-6
• Probiotics and prebiotics — Supporting gut microbiome health; look for Lactobacillus strains or chicory root as prebiotic fiber sources
• Grain-free or limited-ingredient options — For dogs with diagnosed sensitivities (always confirm with your vet before going grain-free long-term)
• Life-stage formulation — Puppy, adult, and senior formulas are calibrated differently; "all life stages" foods meet puppy standards, which may be excessive for a spayed adult dog

At Ashario Pets, our team regularly guides Markham customers through label reading. Orijen's Regional Red, for example, delivers 38% protein and 18% fat with 5 regional animal ingredients as the top 5 listed — a benchmark that's hard to match in mass-market food. Acana's Grasslands formula offers a comparable 33% protein with 17% fat, built around free-run lamb and duck. Shop dry dog food at Ashario Pets or explore dry cat food options for your feline.

Research published via NCBI/PubMed has highlighted the role of dietary protein quality and amino acid completeness in long-term canine metabolic health — a reason why ingredient sourcing, not just protein percentage, matters when choosing a food for your dog.

What Markham Pet Owners Should Know About Supplements and Wellness Products

Beyond food, Markham dog and cat owners increasingly look for supplements to support joint health, digestion, coat quality, and immune function. Ashario Pets carries a full dog health and wellness range and cat health and wellness products from verified brands including Canine Matrix, MOJO Pet Supplements, Wellytails, and 5Strands.

Common supplement categories and what to look for:

• Joint supplements — Look for glucosamine (typically 500–1000mg per serving for a 25 kg dog) and chondroitin. Canine Matrix and MOJO Pet Supplements both offer well-formulated options.
• Omega-3 fish oil — EPA and DHA are the active components. A 25 kg dog generally benefits from 1000–2000mg combined EPA/DHA daily for coat and anti-inflammatory support.
• Probiotics — Supporting digestive health and immune function; look for multi-strain formulas with at least 1 billion CFU per dose.
• Pet test kits — Brands like 5Strands offer at-home sensitivity testing for food and environmental triggers, which Markham customers have found useful when dealing with recurring skin or digestive issues.

Our team at the North York store always recommends consulting your veterinarian before starting a supplement regimen, particularly for seniors or pets with existing conditions. Supplements work best as part of a complete nutritional strategy, not as a replacement for a quality base diet.

Frequently Asked Questions: Premium Pet Food Store Near Markham Ontario

Is there a premium pet food store in Markham Ontario that carries raw and freeze-dried brands?

Ashario Pets in North York is the closest premium pet supply store to Markham, located at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, approximately 25–35 minutes from central Markham via Highway 404. As of 2026, Ashario Pets carries 79+ brands including raw, freeze-dried, air-dried, and natural dry food for dogs and cats. Brands include Big Country Raw, Primal, Instinct Raw, Stella & Chewy's, Orijen, Acana, and many more. For Markham residents who prefer not to drive, same-day GTA delivery is available via Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, and Fantuan.

What is the best freeze-dried dog food available near Markham Ontario in 2026?

The top freeze-dried dog food brands available to Markham pet owners through Ashario Pets include Stella & Chewy's, Primal, and Instinct Raw. Stella & Chewy's Chicken Dinner Patties deliver approximately 38% protein on a dry matter basis and are one of the most popular complete freeze-dried meals for dogs. Primal is another strong option for single-protein diets. All three brands can be ordered online with same-day delivery to Markham through Uber Eats or DoorDash from Ashario Pets' North York location.

How do I transition my Markham dog to a raw food diet safely?

Transitioning a dog to raw food should be done gradually over 7–14 days, starting by replacing 25% of the current food with raw and increasing by 25% every few days. Adult dogs generally need 2–3% of their body weight in raw food daily — a 25 kg (55 lb) dog needs approximately 500–750g per day. Always consult your veterinarian before switching, particularly for puppies, seniors, or dogs with health conditions. Our team at Ashario Pets' North York store can help recommend the right brand and format based on your dog's size, age, and health history.

Does Ashario Pets deliver pet food to Markham Ontario?

Yes. Ashario Pets delivers to Markham and across the Greater Toronto Area via Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, and Fantuan. The store is located at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7, and is open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, 365 days a year — including holidays. Markham customers can also visit the store in person or browse the full product range at ashariopets.ca.

What natural cat food brands are available near Markham in 2026?

Markham cat owners can access an extensive natural cat food selection through Ashario Pets, including brands like Orijen, Acana, Open Farm, Farmina, Tiki Cat, Weruva, ZIWI, and The Honest Kitchen. These brands offer high-protein formulas built around named animal proteins — many exceeding 40% protein on a dry matter basis — with taurine levels well above the 400mg/kg AAFCO minimum. Options span dry, wet, raw, freeze-dried, and air-dried formats, all available for GTA delivery or in-store pickup in North York.