Market Spotlight: Washington DC

The Washington, DC marketplace holds 133 pet specialty stores, which is a 3-store increase during last year. Within the 133 stores, there are 46 different companies, with the top three retailers being Petco with 32 locations, PetSmart also with 32 locations and Pet Supplies Plus with 13 locations, making up 57.9 percent of the market. Within the market there are 29,197 households per pet store and a population of 689,545. 

Retailers in the area have praised the market for its commitment and diverse pet owners and community.

“The DC metro area is an incredible place for pet businesses because it has a highly engaged and dedicated pet owner community. People here truly see their pets as family and are willing to invest in high-quality training, nutrition and care to ensure their dogs thrive. With its many dog-friendly parks, trails and pet-friendly housing options, the region provides an ideal environment for training services that help dogs and their owners navigate both urban and suburban life successfully,” said David Berlak, Founder and Master Trainer of Paw by Paw Dog Training.

While retailers have shared the various ways the market has helped the pet specialty retail stores flourish, the city itself has also supported pets’ overall well-being through various rescues, shelters and laws. For example, in May 2024, a bill was introduced and passed prohibiting housing providers from imposing restrictions or differential fees based on a pet’s breed, size and weight. This was considered a huge win amongst owners who have breeds that maintain a certain negative reputation or discrimination, allowing for pet owners to freely adopt, rehome and keep pets of all breeds and types.

Closer Look

Outside of the top three larger retailers in the area, smaller, independent pet retailers have made a home for themselves in the region, allowing them to thrive within the dynamic market.

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, a professional grooming and pet specialty leading retailer, has five locations within the DC market. The company was founded by Paul and Cara Allen after they noticed the lack of high-quality food and treat options in the industry. The duo went the extra steps to offer premium grooming services as in-store grooming was absent within the space as well. The company now has 350 locations and has continued to grow and expand throughout the US. 

Weber’s Pet Supermarket has four locations within the market and was opened in 1979. The retailer started out as a feed and grain store, but soon closed to shift its focus to include premium pet food and supplies products. The company remains family-owned and operated and each location is staffed with experienced employees who give educated advice to pet owners.

There are 29 single-store retailers, which make up 21.8 percent of the market, allowing for 20.3 percent of the market to be made up of various other retailers. 

Paw by Paw Dog Training was founded with the goal to support pet owners and their dogs in their everyday lives. Training lays the groundwork for promising behavior in all stages of a dog’s life, something that the company has remained focused on since its inception.

“My path into the pet industry was driven by a lifelong passion for working with dogs. With a background in K-9 police and military dog training, I moved to DC in 2015 to expand my skills,” said Berlak. “During an intensive 480-hour program, I studied a variety of training methods, including both positive and balanced approaches, as well as canine nutrition and first aid/CPR. Throughout the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with more than 10,000 dogs across all breeds, ages and temperaments and conducting specialized seminars for police and military dog handlers in the US.”

The area is home to a diverse population of dog owners, said Berlak.

“From first-time pet parents to experienced handlers, [they are] all looking for effective, science-based training solutions. The demand for customized, step-by-step training programs is especially strong, as many dogs here face unique challenges—such as adjusting to apartment living, leash reactivity in busy spaces and learning off-leash reliability in the suburbs. Beyond that, the DC metro area has a strong network of veterinarians, rescue organizations and pet care professionals, making it a collaborative and supportive environment for pet businesses. The increasing demand for effective, science-based training created the perfect opportunity to establish and expand Paw by Paw while providing tailored solutions that truly support both dogs and their owners. Being in this area allows me to make a real impact by helping pet parents build strong, lasting relationships with their dogs—one step at a time,” he said.

Berlak highlighted some of the conversations the retailer has been striving to have with pet parents in the area. “I want to continue educating pet parents on the bigger picture of responsible dog ownership—because training is just one piece of the puzzle. A well-balanced dog isn’t just one that knows commands but one whose physical, mental and emotional needs are met,” said Berlak. “I also want to focus on training beyond obedience. Training isn’t just about getting a dog to sit or stay; it’s about communication and partnership. Many owners seek training only when an issue arises, but I want to shift the mindset toward proactive training—teaching dogs how to navigate the world confidently from day one, rather than waiting until a problem develops.”

“The attraction of the DC market has to do with consistent economic growth and lots of opportunities for job seekers,” said Margarita Diaz, Owner of Great Dogs of Great Falls. “I have lived in the area for 30+ years and can tell you it has changed a lot! I feel like I am seeing new housing developments pop up every few months. On top of this, I feel the area is very pet-friendly and with the amount of young people we have—recent trends for pet ownership amongst young people—it makes for a great area to operate a pet business. For my business specifically, another factor that helps is I feel this area is more in tune with healthy eating and they have translated that into their pets’ lives. So, the opportunity for a more nutrition-oriented pet store is huge. Also, there is a lot of support for small businesses as people are looking for more personalized attention. I see it in my store how they enjoy being known by name and treating their pets like they are our own.”

“What I enjoy most about this business are the relationships that I have developed by connecting with the pet parents in the common goal of caring for their health through their nutrition, grooming and improving their overall environment. It´s a good feeling when we hear back from a dog parent with how the change of diet or supplement that we suggested made them feel better,” Diaz said.

“We have plans to continue to reach out and be involved with the community; be more involved with local rescue organizations; increase our educational events regarding pet nutrition and increase our online presence,” said Diaz.

Chris Gabriel, Owner of Nature’s Nibbles, reflected on both the evolving pet food industry and recent economic difficulties. Alongside this, his personal experience caring for a sick pet paved the way for his journey into the pet industry. “I have been in business for 20 years, and a lot of things have changed lately,” said Gabriel. “Honestly, we are seeing a little slower business. We’re right outside of DC, and there are a lot of government jobs here. I hear from customers almost daily that they’ve lost their jobs; it’s something we’ve definitely felt financially. The whole reason I started this business was because I had a sick dog. She had excessive shedding, hot spots and eventually her skin started falling out in clumps. Vets kept recommending prescription food, but when I did the research, I realized there’s no actual medication in it. It’s the same food sold at grocery stores, just with a prescription label. What I found in my 25 years of research is that there are often byproducts, wheat and soy in commercial pet food—all of which can lead to skin problems. The less processed the food, the better it is—just like with people. I started my dog on an all-natural dry food, which helped a little. Then I transitioned to raw and eliminated grains. Her health drastically improved. The skin issues disappeared, and she had so much more energy. You are what you eat—pets included. That’s why I’m passionate about educating others and offering a money-back guarantee on everything we sell. Not every dog or cat likes the same things, and we want to make sure pet owners feel confident trying what works best for their animal. We’ve always welcomed pets into the store—they’re part of the family. I met my wife in Del Ray, and back then, all you’d see were people walking dogs. That love for animals hasn’t changed. We’ve moved into new neighborhoods, and it’s the same—pets are everywhere, and we love it.”

“I had a dog from a previous marriage, and all we would see in Del Ray was people walking dogs. I saw a good opportunity to not only educate people on good nutrition but also have a good, sustainable business. I have always told people, anything you buy pet wise, you get 100 percent, money back guaranteed because not all dogs and cats like everything that is out there. There are a lot of pet lovers around here. A lot of people have pets and pets are allowed to come into the store too. We courage it—I love dogs and cats,” Gabriel said.

“The whole region is pet friendly,” said Karen Komisar, Owner of Sea Dog Pet Boutique. “There are a lot of young people that live in the area, especially in the DC area, and their pets are their children. They care about their health, their well-being, if they are getting enough exercise, that they are challenged with enrichment. People care as much about their pets as they do as their family members. So, it’s a good area and there is a lot of outdoor activities people can do with their pets, and there are a lot of businesses that allow pets to come in, such as the places you can go and get a drink and your dog can run around in a play area and you can hang out with your friends. So, people are able to do multiple things at one time and not just only be able to go to the park and take my dog for a walk and that’s it.”