As of 2023, 86.9 million U.S. homes (forbes.com) own a pet, so this is the perfect opportunity to start an online pet store if you're unsure which ecommerce business to venture into.
Whether you are a pet owner or entrepreneur looking to break into the pet care industry, starting a Shopify pet store can be a rewarding journey. This article provides all the essentials you need to start and establish an online pet store that stands out from other pet stores.
It includes knowing what to sell on your Shopify pet store, strategies to follow for a successful venture. Finally, this article provides examples to help you with the right inspiration!
What can you sell on Shopify pet stores in 2024?
There are several pet care items or pet supplies you can sell on Shopify pet stores in 2024. Some of these items include the following:
Pet Toys
Pet toys are another great example of highly sought-after items you can sell on your Shopify store.
You can offer a wide variety of these toys ranging from handmade toys, squeak toys, balls, and rope toys to even interactive and chew toys to stand out from other pet stores.
Source: Unsplash
Pet food
You can make a difference by not only selling regular dog food or cat food but also organic pet food for animal lovers who prefer all-natural pet food or treats for their pets.
Source: Unsplash
Forthglade, which describes itself as a leader in natural pet food, is one store that’s inspiring many sellers.
Pet Clothing
Selling pet clothing is a profitable (and stylish) business to get into, in a market worth over $5 billion (alliedmarketresearch.com).
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Pet clothes not only provide extra warmth and protection, but they also ensure that pets stand out by looking stylish and unique.
Pet Culture is one Shopify store that sells pet clothing and accessories, alongside other items. You’ll find things like winter essentials for dogs and cats as well as tailored guidance for pet parents.
Other pet products that you can sell on Shopify pet stores in 2024:
- Pet Fashion and Seasonal Products: Many pet owners enjoy dressing up their pets for occasions. Seasonal outfits for holidays like Halloween or Christmas are fun products that can also drive seasonal sales.
- Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Products: Offering eco-friendly pet products such as biodegradable waste bags, toys made from recycled materials, or organic pet food appeals to environmentally conscious customers.
- Tech and High-End Pet Products: The demand for high-tech products is growing in the pet care industry. Stocking items such as GPS collars, smart feeders, and pet cameras taps into a market looking for innovative ways to care for their pets.
Read more: 6 Best Pet Business Ideas To Explore If You Are An Animal Lover
Top 20+ Shopify pet store examples
Below are 20+ Shopify pet stores that showcase innovation, excellent design, and effective marketing strategies:
Gunner Kennels
Source: gunner.com
GUNNER stands out as one of the most successful pet stores on Shopify. It offers a wide variety of heavy-duty kennels and crates for pets.
What makes this storefront stand out from other pet stores is that visitors or customers can see videos/images of how the kennels and crates are used. There are also reviews of how these kennels has saved the lives of many pets.
Customers can also choose kennels according to dog type, so there's something for dogs with phobias, waterfowl dogs, adventure or trail dogs, and even sports dogs. GUNNER also sells other accessories like kennel bowls, nameplates, fan kits, tie-down strap kits, chew kits, and pet beds.
PetCulture
Source: petculture.com
PetCulture is a leading Australian brand and a one-stop shop for pet owners looking to purchase a wide range of pet-related items. These include dog food, cat food, cat little, dog grooming items, and the best treats.
This pet store is a joint venture between Woolworths Group and PetSure, which is Australia's leading provider of pet insurance and an innovator in the broader pet healthcare ecosystem. The goal of PetCulture is to ensure that pet owners have access to the best health and wellness products for their pets
One thing that makes this store stand out from others is that customers can easily shop for their dogs or cats on separate product pages, eliminating the struggle of having to choose from a range of cluttered pet products.
Pet lovers can also shop for products based on life stage, breed, breed size, specific brands, etc. The store also has a thriving blog that offers pet advice to dog or cat parents.
Pupnaps
The idea behind Pupnaps was to ensure dogs across Australia live better, healthy lives through comfortable sleep. Hence, the store offers the Pupnaps Calming Dog bed to not only aid comfortable sleep but also improve sleep habits and tackle anxiety symptoms in dogs.
Source: pupnaps.com
Customers are first attracted to a discount offer that encourages them to sign up.
Then customers are shown a wide variety of beds and why these beds are the right choice.
Free shipping offers, a 14-day free returns and exchange policy, and even a buy now pay later policy ensure that customers have various fulfillment options to pick from. The store also boasts strong reviews that are sure to convince any customer.
PetFlow
PetFlow is one of the best Shopify pet stores that is known for its automatic pet food delivery service, PetFlow allows customers to set up recurring shipments, ensuring they never run out of supplies. It offers a wide range of pet food, treats, and accessories with a focus on convenience and customer satisfaction.
The store's success lies in its auto-shipping service, which builds customer loyalty by ensuring convenience and reliability. They cater to a critical pain point for pet owners: always having enough supplies for their pets.
Natural Pet Supplements
Natural Pet Supplements is a Shopify-based store that specializes in providing high-quality, plant-based supplements for pets. The brand focuses on improving the overall health and well-being of pets using natural ingredients such as herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
With a commitment to holistic pet care, they cater to conscious pet owners who seek to avoid synthetic chemicals and provide their pets with organic and eco-friendly alternatives. The store’s success is driven by its focus on transparency, sustainability, and creating products that support various aspects of pet health, from digestion to joint care.
Source: naturalpetsupplements.com
Milly's
Milly’s is one of the best Shopify pet store examples that focuses on offering premium, natural pet products, from wholesome food to eco-friendly accessories. The store is known for its dedication to sustainability, sourcing organic ingredients and materials to ensure the health and well-being of pets.
With an emphasis on transparency and high-quality products, Milly’s caters to pet owners who prioritize holistic care. Their curated collection ensures that pets receive the best nutrition and accessories that are both functional and environmentally friendly.
Source: millys.co.uk
Other Successful Shopify Pet Store Examples
You can also refer to other successful Shopify pet stores in 2024 that share several key characteristics: clean, user-friendly designs, effective use of Shopify and its integrations, and highly personalized experiences that promote positive buying habits.
- Pawz – Known for donating a portion of sales to animal shelters.
- Shaya Pets – Focuses on luxury pet accessories.
- Wild One – Modern and minimalist pet essentials.
- Fable Pets – Functional and stylish products for modern pet owners.
- Dog Threads – Specializes in matching pet and owner outfits.
- KitNipBox – Subscription box for cat toys and treats.
- Chewy – Known for extensive pet supplies and customer service.
- HuggleHounds - Specializes in durable dog toys and pet apparel.
- Pawfect Life - Eco-friendly pet products, including toys and grooming supplies.
- Pawtastic - Personalized pet gifts and custom pet portraits.
- PawLove - High-quality, all-natural pet grooming products.
- Sniff & Bark - Subscription service featuring unique treats and toys.
- PetFusion - Premium pet supplies with a focus on design and functionality.
- Woof & Wonder - Stylish pet apparel and accessories for dogs and cats.
- BarkBox Treats - Specializes in high-quality dog treats from their popular subscription box.
- Bamboo Pet - Eco-friendly pet products made from bamboo and recycled materials.
- Petzy - Customizable pet food and treats based on pet profiles.
- Furrish - Curated selection of sustainable pet products.
- Whisker City - High-quality cat supplies, including toys and scratching posts.
Top 10+ Best Dropshipping Pet Store Examples (Updated in 2024)
Here are some successful dropshipping pet store examples from 2024 that showcase a variety of niches and innovative approaches:
PetGizmo
PetGizmo specializes in high-tech pet gadgets, ranging from automatic feeders to GPS collars, designed to simplify pet care for busy owners.
One of the best dropshipping pet store examples stands out for its innovative product offerings that appeal to tech-savvy pet parents. By addressing common pet care challenges with smart solutions, PetGizmo creates a compelling shopping experience that resonates with modern lifestyles.
FurEver Friends
FurEver Friends offers a vibrant collection of trendy pet accessories, from stylish collars to playful toys, catering to fashionable pet owners.
Its unique designs and commitment to staying on top of pet fashion trends make it a favorite among style-conscious consumers. The eye-catching products encourage social sharing, further enhancing its brand visibility.
PawPalace
PawPalace is the go-to destination for unique pet costumes, ideal for holidays, birthdays, and special events.
By focusing on a niche market, PawPalace captures the fun and celebratory aspects of pet ownership, attracting customers who want to make memorable moments with their pets.
Other dropshipping pet store examples in 2024 for your inspiration:
Whiskers & Wags - Curates a selection of stylish cat furniture and accessories.
- Snout & About Focuses on outdoor pet gear, including travel carriers and portable bowls.
Bark & Bath -
Specializes in pet grooming products and bath accessories.PupJoy - Dropships customizable dog boxes filled with treats and toys.
- PetTastic - Offers a variety of pet health supplements and wellness products.
Catitude - Focuses exclusively on cat products, from toys to litter solutions.
Pawfectly Natural - Sells all-natural pet food and snacks with a focus on quality ingredients.
- PetParadise - Features a wide range of pet beds and accessories for comfort.
Furry Friends Boutique -
Curates fashionable pet clothing and accessories.PetTravel Gear -
Specializes in travel essentials for pets, from carriers to seat belts.Pawtastic Treats - Dropships a variety of gourmet pet treats and chews.
- DoggoWorld - Offers unique and trendy dog toys, focusing on durability and fun.
Whisker Wonders -
Sells an array of innovative cat toys designed for mental stimulation.
These dropshipping stores exemplify how diverse and creative the pet industry can be, catering to various customer needs and preferences!
Best Shopify Pet Store Themes For Your Inspiration (Free & Paid)
Explore top 6 Shopify pet store themes that not only provide aesthetic appeal but also enhance functionality and user experience, making them top choices for pet stores on Shopify.
Taste
- Price: Free
- Overview: Taste offers a clean and modern design, perfect for showcasing pet supplies in an elegant way. Its minimalist layout allows products to shine without distractions, enhancing user experience.
- Why It’s the Best: The theme includes customizable sections for banners and featured products, making it easy to promote special offers. Its responsive design ensures a seamless shopping experience across devices, appealing to a wide audience.
Vision
- Price: $300
- Overview: Vision is one of the most visually striking Shopify pet store themes that combines bold imagery with a sophisticated layout. It’s designed to engage customers right from the homepage with stunning visuals and easy navigation.
- Why It’s the Best: Vision includes advanced filtering options and multiple product display styles, allowing customers to find what they need quickly. Its emphasis on high-quality images makes it ideal for pet stores looking to showcase premium products.
Boost
- Price: $330
- Overview: Boost is a feature-rich theme designed for high-performance stores. It supports a variety of layout options, allowing for significant customization to fit your brand’s identity.
- Why It’s the Best: This theme includes a built-in countdown timer for promotions, product quick views, and social media integration, all of which help drive conversions. Its focus on speed and performance makes it an excellent choice for busy pet stores.
Yuva
- Price: $280
- Overview: Yuva offers a fresh and dynamic design that appeals to younger pet owners. Its colorful layout and playful typography create an engaging shopping experience.
- Why It’s the Best: With customizable sections and a mobile-optimized design, Yuva is perfect for brands looking to attract a vibrant audience. The theme also includes product showcase features that highlight bestsellers effectively.
Minion
- Price: $250
- Overview: Minion features a fun and whimsical design, making it ideal for pet stores focused on pet toys, accessories, and products that emphasize personality.
- Why It’s the Best: The theme includes unique layout options and easy customization, allowing store owners to create a playful yet professional look. Its engaging design helps capture the attention of pet owners looking for fun and quirky items.
Loft
- Price: $280
- Overview: Loft combines elegance with functionality, providing a stylish platform for showcasing pet products. Its sophisticated design is paired with a user-friendly interface.
- Why It’s the Best: Loft excels in providing a seamless shopping experience with features like mega menus, customizable headers, and a clean aesthetic that highlights products beautifully. Its versatility makes it suitable for both high-end pet boutiques and everyday pet supply stores.
These themes each offer unique strengths, making them excellent choices for pet stores looking to enhance their online presence and provide an engaging shopping experience.
How to start a Shopify pet store
If you aim to own one of the best Shopify pet stores, there are several important tips to consider. Below are essential steps to follow to ensure your online store's success:
Conduct market research
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The first step to creating a unique pet store that will attract potential customers and retain existing customers is to carry out market research. Decide what type of pet services you want to offer — such as online retail, wholesale pet supplies, grooming services, or pet training.
After deciding what you want to offer, analyze your competition and deeply research what edge you might have over existing pet stores. Also consider the likely profit margins of the service or pet supply you are offering.
Craft a plan
One thing some of the best Shopify pet stores have in common is that they work with a business plan backed by a selling model. To enable success, this plan must be concise, clear, and realistic.
Your business plan should have the following details:
- Your business name
- Mission statement
- What you offer
- Your target audience
- Likely competition
- Options for financing
- Advertising and marketing, etc.
Having a plan is essential because it guides you through every stage of starting and eventually managing your online store.
Source: Unsplash
A plan also helps you identify answers to questions that affect your proposed business idea and communicate the objectives of the business to others, especially when you plan to work with a team.
Finally, if you want to ensure hitch-free implementation of your business idea, crafting a plan should be top of mind for you.
Identify suppliers
Unless you plan to manufacture your pet supplies, you need to identify reliable suppliers to ensure the smooth running of your business.
A good approach is to reach out to as many suppliers as you can, get a quote from them, and compare to find out the least expensive. It is never a good idea to rely on the pricing of a single supplier.
Ensure you have multiple suppliers of specific animal care items to avoid problems of cancellations or unplanned setbacks. Some locations you can check for quality pet products include Alibaba.com, Wholesale Pet, and Pound Wholesale.
Open a Shopify store
Source: Unsplash
Once you have ticked off some of the most important items on your business plan, you are now ready to open your Shopify pet store.
Ensure that your ecommerce site has a high-converting landing page, an appealing home page, a dedicated product page, and an easily navigable product listing page.
Once you are sure everything needed for a successful ecommerce business is in place, you can now inform the public about the plan to launch your store.
Launch your store
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Finally, you need to launch your store and commence online sales. A useful tip for a successful store launch is to ensure you massively promote your store using all tools available at your disposal. The two most common are word-of-mouth advertising and the use of your social media page.
Lastly, it is important to establish and maintain an online presence. Publishing a niche-related blog post once or twice a week works wonders for your online presence. Also, ensure you use niche-specific keywords across your store to boost your visibility across search engines.
5 Tips to Own Succesful Pet Shopify Stores
Here are 5 tips to own successful pet Shopify stores:
- Identify a Niche: Specialize in a particular product category (e.g., eco-friendly pet products) or pet type to stand out and attract a loyal customer base.
- Provide Excellent Customer Service: Respond promptly to customer inquiries and offer personalized experiences, such as tailored product recommendations.
- Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your store is mobile-friendly, as many customers shop from their phones.
- Invest in Quality Marketing: Use social media, influencers, and SEO to drive traffic.
- Offer Subscription Plans: Pet owners often purchase recurring items like food or supplements—offering subscription options can ensure consistent sales and customer loyalty.
These strategies can help your Shopify store grow by appealing to dedicated pet owners.
Conclusion
Starting a Shopify pet store isn't as hard as you think. You only need to carry out thorough market research for the pet supplies or services you want to offer.
Once that is done, you need a feasible business plan and reliable suppliers and you're on your way to opening and launching your store. You too can tap into the ever-growing pet supply industry by starting your pet business on the Shopify platform today!
