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Palo Alto is a dog town. You see dogs at the Mitchell Park dog run, on neighborhood sidewalks and outside cafes on California Avenue. Yet the city has only two dedicated pet shops. Only one of them sells food. That is fewer than the eight stores a guide like this would normally list, so this page is honest about the gap. It adds the vets, the shelter and the nearest larger stores in Mountain View and Redwood City that pet owners actually use.
Every business below links to its listing in our directory or to its own website. Listings carry phone numbers and hours. We do not rank stores or discuss prices. Pet store services such as washes and clinics change their schedules, so check before a trip.
The two pet shops in town
- Pet Food Express: a pet supply store at 3910 Middlefield Road, next to Piazza's market, with a self-service pet wash, a weekly vet clinic and Saturday adoption events.
- rororiri: a dog clothing boutique at Stanford Shopping Center from designer Rita Li, selling knits, bandanas, leashes, bow ties and matching human and dog sets.
Pet Food Express, south Palo Alto
Pet Food Express is a Bay Area chain. Its Palo Alto store sits in the Charleston Shopping Center on Middlefield Road, beside Piazza's Fine Foods. It sells food, treats and supplies for dogs, cats, small animals and birds. The parking lot is shared with the grocery, so a pet run fits into a weekly shop.
The services are a large part of the draw. The self-service pet wash runs on tokens. You check in with an associate, clip your dog into the tub with a waterproof collar and leash and wash it yourself, which keeps the mess out of your bathroom. The listing also notes a VIP PetCare vaccination clinic on Sunday afternoons, plus rescue adoption events on Saturdays. Schedules for the clinic and adoptions can change, so call before you build a weekend around them.
rororiri, Stanford Shopping Center
rororiri is the opposite kind of shop: a small boutique for dog clothing and accessories. The brand writes its name in lowercase and gives its address as 1145 Stanford Shopping Center. The center's directory places it behind Bloomingdale's, next to True Food Kitchen. The founder, fashion designer Rita Li, started by making clothes for her own puppy. The range covers dog clothing, matching Human + Dog pieces, bandanas, leashes, bows and bow ties. Take your dog's chest, neck and back measurements before you go. Bandanas and bow ties make the easiest gifts, since they need less precise sizing. Our Stanford Shopping Center guide covers parking and the rest of the center.
Other places in town with pet items
- Miniso: a lifestyle and variety store at 281 University Avenue whose product range runs across ten categories, including pet items alongside plush toys and stationery.
Miniso is a novelty stop rather than a pet store, but it can turn up a toy or a small accessory downtown. For everyday food, the large supermarkets in town carry basic dog and cat food in their pet aisles. Specialty diets and larger bags are easier to find at Pet Food Express.
Veterinarians
Several vets on El Camino Real sell prescription diets and medications to their own patients. They are listed here because a pet errand often ends at the vet.
- Animal Hospital of Palo Alto: a weekday clinic for dogs and cats at 4111 El Camino Real, with surgery, dental care, a pharmacy and curbside drop-off.
- Palo Alto Animal Hospital: a VCA hospital for cats and dogs at 3944 El Camino Real, offering wellness care, surgery and dentistry, with online booking six days a week.
- Veterinary Emergency Group: a 24/7 emergency animal hospital at 3903 El Camino Real at Ventura Avenue, open since October 2024, where owners can stay with their pets during treatment.
The three sit within a few blocks of each other in south Palo Alto. Animal Hospital of Palo Alto does not see exotic pets such as birds or reptiles. Our page on pets in Palo Alto covers licensing, the city shelter and more vets.
Larger stores just outside the city
For bigger selections, aquarium supplies or grooming appointments, many residents drive to a neighboring town.
- Petco Mountain View: a Petco at 1919 El Camino Real in Mountain View, which lists dog grooming, dog training, a vaccination clinic and an aquatics department.
- Pet Food Express, Mountain View and Redwood City: the chain's nearest other stores are on Miramonte Avenue in Mountain View and at Woodside Plaza in Redwood City, according to our Palo Alto listing.
Petco's aquatics department is the closest place to Palo Alto in our research that lists fish and aquarium supplies. Call ahead for grooming, since appointments book up on weekends. Our Mountain View guide covers the rest of the town.
A pet errand checklist
- Bring the label. Take a photo of your pet's current food bag, including the exact formula. Similar names on different recipes are easy to mix up.
- Ask about ordering. If a specific food is out of stock, staff can often order it in. Ask before you drive to another town.
- Book services ahead. Grooming, training classes and clinic times fill up on weekends.
- Carry vaccination records. Clinics and groomers may ask for proof of rabies and other vaccines.
- Plan the route. Pet Food Express and the three vets are all in south Palo Alto, so one loop covers food, a wash and a checkup.
Adopting a pet
The City of Palo Alto Animal Shelter at 3281 East Bayshore Road has been run by the nonprofit Pets In Need since February 2019. It is the place to start if you want to adopt locally. Pet Food Express also hosts rescue groups for adoption days on Saturdays. Bring a carrier or leash and expect paperwork. Dogs in Palo Alto must be licensed through the Police Department's Animal Control Division. The details are on our pets page.
Good to know
- For a pet emergency at night, Veterinary Emergency Group on El Camino Real is open around the clock. Call on the way if you can.
- Dog wash stations are busiest on weekend afternoons. A weekday visit is calmer.
- Bring your dog's measurements for clothing. Fit at the chest matters most.
- Check whether a store allows pets inside before you bring yours along. Policies differ from shop to shop.
Out and about with your pet
A new leash deserves a walk. The city has fenced dog runs, including the expanded run at Mitchell Park that opened in January 2025, plus trails where leashed dogs are welcome. Our guide to dog parks and dog-friendly places lists them, with notes on where dogs are not allowed. Visitors bringing a pet should read traveling with pets before booking. It covers stays and transport. You can search pet-friendly hotels in Palo Alto for your dates. For the city's other shopping districts, start at our shopping hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a pet store in Palo Alto?
Yes. Pet Food Express at 3910 Middlefield Road, next to Piazza's market in the Charleston Shopping Center, sells food, treats and supplies for dogs, cats, small animals and birds. It is the only full pet supply store in our directory inside city limits.
Where can I wash my dog in Palo Alto?
Pet Food Express on Middlefield Road has a self-service pet wash. You buy a token, check in with an associate and secure your dog in the tub with a waterproof collar and leash clip.
Where is the nearest Petco to Palo Alto?
The nearest Petco is at 1919 El Camino Real in Mountain View, a short drive south. Petco's store page lists dog grooming, dog training, a vaccination clinic and an aquatics department there.
Is there a 24-hour emergency vet in Palo Alto?
Yes. Veterinary Emergency Group at 3903 El Camino Real, at Ventura Avenue, is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. No appointment is needed, but calling ahead on the way is recommended.
Where can I adopt a pet in Palo Alto?
The City of Palo Alto Animal Shelter at 3281 East Bayshore Road is run by the nonprofit Pets In Need. Pet Food Express on Middlefield Road also hosts rescue adoption events on Saturdays, according to its listing.