We have been going to Next to Nature for about 10 years. They are wonderful folks, queer-friendly and always greet our dog by name. Our dog has to make the weekly pilgrimage and lines up behind the counter to get her free treat. Lots of great, natural treats and can't say enough about how great the crusty service is. See if your dog agrees. read more

My little doggie loves this place and so do I! First of all, I got to give kudos to their great staff and to the owners. They are always friendly, attentive, professional and very caring. Since moving to the area I've been purchasing everything my pets need at Next-to-Nature, and I'll continue to support their business. They offer a variety of products and their prices are very reasonable. Keep up the great work you guys! :) read more

Next to Nature is the absolute best! My fiancée and myself love shopping here! We have been able to find several jackets for our puppy here. They have an EXCELLENT selection. We also get our dog food from here as well as we are all about supporting local businesses. They are a little more on the expensive side, but their clothing and jackets are much better quality than big box chains. The customer service is the absolute best! The staff is absolutely always cheerful and helpful and willing to answer any questions you may have. I have met one of the owners as well. She was very kind and held our puppy for the longest time and got to know us. I highly recommend Next-to-Nature. Support this small business with excellent service! read more

Stopped by yesterday to shop for some cat food for my new cat who decided she didn't like food (especially her vet prescribed high calorie ones). The person working there was super helpful and took the time to show me some high calorie/different texture options, as well as gave me a sample bag full of things to try, which was much appreciated since it's been so stressful getting her to eat. I've been there many times in the past getting my other cats treats/toys and the customer service has always been great, but the help she gave me yesterday was above and beyond! Definitely one of the best locally owned pet shops around! read more

Has a great variety of dog food and treats. Staff is super friendly and are great with pets. They also are quite helpful when I cannot find what I'm looking for. I come here for low fat dog food and lamb lung treats. Location is convenient located in the junction. read more

My dog loves to come here for a treat. However, I think you need to watch prices. Today I was looking at collars and leashes and noticed that the planet Dog cozy hemp collars were marked for sale between $48-58 and the leash was marked at $61. These prices are insane! You can buy this collar for $15-18 at other local pet stores and online and the leashes for around $22. I asked the sales person about this and she just shrugged. read more

Next-To-Nature - Collars/leashes - Pet Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Manager Whitney has excellent people and animal knowledge and skills and was a pleasure to meet during the West Seattle Street Fair! She was helpful and resourceful. She really added to our enjoyment of the store and our day at the fair. It's immediately apparent she's wise beyond her years and I know her work ethic and spirit will thrive as she climbs the ladder of life! What a pleasure to visit with this young lady. The establishment has always had a wonderful vibe and presence at the Junction and is only enhanced by its personnel. read more

The staff is always extremely friendly and warm. They always greet us with a smile and offer my puppy a treat that she always loves. Great selection of treats and food. Not always the best toys- some get destroyed quicker than others. I can always find what I need here and have no need to go to Pet Smart or any other large chain. I even left my favorite water bottle behind while shopping one day and they kept it safe for me. Thanks for taking such good care of us in West Seattle! read more

Got a sweater from here for my dog that came unraveled at the seam after 24 hours. They refused to return or exchange it, and when I asked why, I was told "they're a small business" and the best they could do was give me the contact information for the manufacturer so that I could contact them myself and ask for a return or an exchange. I'm sorry, I paid money for an item THEY sell, they should have AT LEAST offered to contact the manufacturer on my behalf. No. Garbage customer service. I will not be returning. Ever. read more

Next to Nature sells everything Seattle's crunchy pet owners need! Shop here for organic pet food, supplies, treats, pet care.. even pets! I love going in if for nothing more than to see Claudia- a large, middle aged calico with a snaggle tooth and a bad attitude. She can be found sleeping or lounging, with her tongue out, on any of the expensive pet beds for sale. When you find her, you'll know. She'll let you pet her for a minute, and then shell meow and take a swipe.. which is to say, " Back the f' off.. I'm done with you now." The people here are great. They're informative and they're truely in love with your pets and the other resident felines (also Sunny and a few other randoms). They occasionally allow the pets up for adoption to run freely about the store, which is cool. PS- their front door is a screen door and makes you feel like you're at vacation house on the lake.. minus (*sigh*) the lake. Two paws up read more

I spent about 5 minutes in this store. At first I was impressed by their kitty room and their product selection. As I was browsing, I wandered by the counter and saw a kitty on top of a basket. The basket had a sign taped to it "I am sleeping, please don't bother me" or something to that effect. However, since the basket had a lid and the cat was not inside the basket and its eyes were open and looking at me, I figured that the kitty was not, in fact, asleep and gave it a little love. Then, the self-righteous cashier walked over, tapped on the sign, and give me a look that clearly said "you poor idiot, don't pet the cat". First of all, why would they have a ton of cats roaming around the place if you can't touch them?! Second of all, I'm sorry that I misinterpreted the sign, but she didn't have to be so stuck up and rude about it. Never, ever, ever will I give them my business, for any single thing, ever. read more

Ok, I had to ask even though I know it's never polite to inquire about a lady's weight, but for real - Claudia's pretty mighty. The cashier said she was 25 pounds.....I thought my 20 pounder was big, but she woulda beat my cat's ass. Their stuff may be a little more expensive than Petco, but you can feel good about supporting more local businesses when you shop here. If you have a cat you should check out the organic super catnip; one of my favorite ways to entertain my cats and myself at the same time is to put piles of catnip on top of Victoria's Secret catalogs and watch them roll around and nuzzle the models for a half an hour. You should try it. Seriously. *****Update***** 7/17/07 - The ginormous cat mentioned in the previous review was actually Moses (who escaped during our last visit there just to roll around in the dirt in front of the door with what appeared to be a ridiculously silly grin on his face). read more

Cheers to Caitlin @ NtN for professionalism, kindness and quick thinking. My girlfriend and I picked up a walking buddy one night: a stray cat, soon dubbed "Cream Puff", who followed us on a two-mile tour of West Seattle. Cream Puff proved himself to be a lover of people and dogs. Yet, his courage failed him near the busy streets of the Junction. While my girlfriend kept him company, I went to Next to Nature for a can of cat food. We planned to capture his fuzzy butt and get him scanned for a chip. Caitlin @ NtN heard my story and leapt into action. She quickly sorted out a loaner cat carrier and a variety of food samples to aid our quest. Despite offers of wet food ("simmered in chicken stock!" it claimed to no avail) and dry food, we couldn't coax him near the carrier. It soon became clear that our relationship was fated to be fleeting. The three of us, though so different, for a time sipped from a common spring; we tread this path of life as companions and with silent perfect understanding. And thus Cream Puff took his leave - his tail held high and his mating call echoing into the night. read more

We went to Next to Nature for the first time today and were impressed. The selection of leashes, toys, treats, and foods were the best that I have seen. It is much bigger than Mudd Bay and Pet Elements combined, and they have some hard to find foods as well. Plus the staff were very helpful and friendly. We will be going back! read more

We adopted a dog recently and wanted to shop locally. I bought a Kong toy for my dog from Next to Nature. A Kong is not supposed to be easily destroyed with just one use. My dog chewed a part of it off. I took the Kong back to the store, thinking that they would take it back and send feedback to the manufacturer. The response was that they wouldn't take it back and it sucks for pet owners to go through toys because they are expensive. I was blown away by their attitude. Follow up: After an exchange with the owner, I was able to take the toy back to the store. The staff was super nice and asked us to pick out some treats for our dogs. I was happy that they followed through and made me feel appreciated as a customer. Thanks. read more

Great people work here, everyone is super friendly and helpful, and knowledgeable about pet food. Seattle is lucky to have so many great choices! They do have quite a bit more dog stuff than cat, but dog toys do take up more room, so I understand. The shelter cats here are always adorable, it's hard to resist not bringing them all home with me! Future crazy cat lady? Perhaps. :) read more

I'm all about supporting local businesses over any national chain. I get the Wellness brand dog food which is surprisingly cheaper here than at the Petco around the corner (and online even). They have water and a bowl of kibbles at the entrance and even more treats inside which my dog loves! It's a pretty spacious store with good selection and doesn't have that overwhelming pet store smell - so you know they're keeping the place clean. We didn't know this until probably our 5th visit, but there's parking in the back! So you won't need to test your luck with the street parking on California Ave. read more

I got my kitten here. The work they do with the kitten rescue is great. I love them. I love Moses. He is huuuuge. Basically, they have a great selection on healthy stuff for your pets. They know the differences between the foods and which animal needs what. I was impressed. read more

1. Nice location- I can walk to it 2. Nice selection of toys 3. Nice selection of smelly dog chews and treats 4. Nice and Big, you don't feel like your crowded The day I went in it was SUPER hot inside and I didn't know this about my dog but I guess floor fans scare him? He just didn't want to walk in. We had to bribe him and they used a nice expensive treat to do it, which is a nice touch. They were also close to closing but I was able to browse without being hurried. I ended up getting some sort of sausage treat but they were linked together so it was actually TWO treats, which she told me at the register would be two. Not a big deal but perhaps separate them in the barrel then? They had the brand of collars I wanted but not the actual line (which is why I went in the first place) I will return to get some unique toys (rubber chickens) and of course if I'm walking around the area. read more

I love this place. After doing some research and realizing I wasn't feeding my pup the best stuff (who knew Science Diet...the stuff they sell at the vet...has by-products in it...yuck!) I checked this place out. They have a vast selection of natural dog food all priced very reasonably. I'm so happy to be supporting something local while taking better care of my mini dog. They also have a program where you buy 12 bags of dog food, and get one free. How sweet is that! read more

I really want to like this shop. I really really do. They carry all the foods and treats that we love to feed our dogs and have a sweater & collar selection that kills most in the area... But their customer service SUCKS! I've been into this shop a handful of times over the last few months since moving back into the area, and I cant help but get increasingly disappointed with every visit. In fact, I think there was one visit a couple weeks ago where I poked around inside for nearly 20 minutes with my dog and NOT A SINGLE employee said "hi" or asked if I needed help with anything. If my count was right, there were 3 people working that day... Unacceptable. 3 stars because while they have awesome stuff to peddle, their customer service left me peddling as fast as possible to another store!! read more

I was visiting my boyfriend in West Seattle and we were walking through the junction when we came across this place. We decided to poke around and I figured I'd get something for my kitties back home (this was the first time, I swear I'm not that kind of pet parent). The store is huge and I found a tower of cat toys towards the back. I grabbed four rattle mouse toys because my cats are always losing things. The staff was very polite, made sure we were doing ok and were available if we had questions. I was prompted to write this review because at 3 am this morning, I had to confiscate one of the mice because the cats decided to bring it into my room, right next to my bed, and play with it. So kudos, Next to Nature, you sell excellent cat toys. My cats have not played that much with a single toys since they were kittens, I'm glad I bought duplicates. read more

Really friendly and knowledgeable staff. Lots of variety of quality pet foods and supplies.

This enourmous pet store feels like a little boutique, but has everything you need from ferret food to raincoats for your cat. The people are knowledgeable and seem generally concerned about the health of animals. The best part is the fat kitty that lives in the store...purrr... read more

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This is a nice pet store and they seem to only sell quality food and products. I have 2 big dogs and their bone selection is wonderful, keeping my sanity through tasty distraction! The customer service has always been good when I am in there. Plus, they have rescue cats and kittens, a huge plus in my book!! My one complaint is that some things seem a bit pricey. I completely agree with only selling quality food and treats, and am more than happy to pay more for quality in that area. But, a few cheaper options in terms of leashes, beds, etc would be nice. My dogs are super cute, but they don't need $40 collars! Overall though, this is definitely my pet supply store recommendation in the Junction! read more

Cute pet store with a lot of healthy-looking stuff for your pooch. I buy Orijen dog food because my pup is spoiled and likes the good stuff. He seriously won't touch the cheap stuff I bought from Safeway. The staff is great here as well. They're helpful, friendly, and mellow. I believe they also host cat adoptions in the back. The only downside is, of course, the pricing. It's a bit more expensive than Target, Safeway, or even Petco. BUT that's one of the small disadvantages of owning a mom & pop - you don't get the discounts that huge chains get. So, I don't mind paying a little extra to support these guys. Plus, for every 10 or 15 bags of dog food you buy, the next one is free. :) I can't say "no" to free. read more

Huge selection with a Mom and Pop feel. They always remember our names when we go in there and every 12th bag of dog food is free... which is alot to use with 2 danes we go thru 2 30lb bags a month. great selection or toys and treats and lots of natural options. Beware some kitties run free inside, so not a place for everydog.. ;-) read more

Came here to get some treats for the puppy today. We ended up walking out with treats and a new toy for him. This place is really cool. It's big and I feel like it has everything we were looking for and then some. The people were nice, and well, it's just really cool. I loved the case of gourmet doggy treats. I'm a baker, but I'm still trying to figure out what's safe for the pup so I haven't quite ventured into baking for him yet. I'm so glad to have found a place that I can buy fresh treats for him though. Love it. read more

So what I like about this place.... 1. Great toy and treat selection. 2. Huge variety of dogs clothes/leashes/collars. 3. Friendly staff. What I don't like... 1. Everything is priced more on the high end. Yesterday I went in to see if they had a collar for my moms dog that had a fleece lining and score they finally did. The only bad part was they only had one. I like green but my mom doesn't :(. I also decided that my two little hellions needed a some new toys. A few trips ago I was way excited that they had the rubber chickens that seemed like my 20lb dog could not tear through them.....but he did. My trip last night I was excited they now carried the chicken in a clothe form and he couldn't chew through it in the first ten mins of owning it. I also got my dog Quincy a toy you could put a used water bottle in. Quincy loves the squeakers but he does destroy them in the first ten mins of owning them as well. But I figured with my purchases they would be fine..... In the first ten mins the chicken no longer had a squeaker and the water bottle toy Quincy had pulled the seam out and now no bottle can go in it. I wish their toys were a little higher quality but at the same time my dogs seem to have a knack for killing toys. Anyway all in all I love this store.....they are always friendly and helpful. 2 thumbs up. read more

They have my business moving forward, I will never shop anywhere else again for my pets. Today I went in to find new dog food for our pup who has been getting repeated ear infections. The owner happened to be there and spent a great deal of time with me asking questions and educating me on the different food options. He truly cared about figuring out what was going on and ensuring we picked the right food. When I selected a large bag of food and said I'd drive around to get it, he offered to carry it to my car...two blocks away! Seriously incredible service, always a great selection, and local. Buy here now, you won't regret it! read more

It's not me, it's my dog who loves this place the most. We shop on California* often, and she goes straight to the screen door and turns around to wait for me. Even if I weren't planning on stopping in, I can't disappoint her with those bright brown eyes pleading, "Please let me steal a chunk of lamb lung while you're not looking". I try to keep her out of the open bins, but she's smarter than I am, and faster. They have a great selection of natural products and the folks who work there are really sweet and knowledgeable about pets and pet products. I only gave them 4 stars because their stuff is pretty expensive. Our pets eat well, though. They also support Friends of the Animals, from which we adopted our kitty. *Most of the businesses on California Ave are pet friendly - canine shoppers are often treated with cookies. read more

I've had good experiences with other local natural pet supply stores. I prefer Next to Nature above the others. Even though I don't live in W.Seattle anymore, I try to save my cat need errands for when I'm in the neighborhood to see friends, because it's a better store than the competitor up the block from my current residence. At NtoN, there are staff members who are more knowledgeable than one should ever expect from basic retail. They have been helpful, taking the time with me to talk about my pet's diet and needs. It's refreshing, because there is no b.s. at NtoN. They are not squeamish to talk about things that are, let's face it, gross, if needed. I've been in their store when they've been dealing with some very difficult customers who walked in cranky and looking for something to complain about. I've seen those people handled with professionalism and even empathy. I've seen jerks let their pets mess on the floor and expect the staff to clean it. I've seen unbelievable behavior from customers (making out next to the dog food, letting their toddlers run around and pull down things) and the staff keep their cool, even when it's busy and in hot weather. They will help you out to your car. They do a hard job, and they do it well. Next to Nature has better prices and selection on high quality cat food, toys, and collars/harnesses than their competitors. They participate in the food manufacturer's rebate programs, and you don't need a special club card as you do at Big Box pet supply stores. If you want to support the local economy while shopping smartly, this is the place to go. read more

Really love this place! That staff is always so friendly and knowledgeable, they can answer every question about the pet food they carry. My poor kitties were in need of some special food and they took the time to walk me through my options. Bonus: they have treats for all the amazing pups that come in! read more

Best pet store in the area. Many options. High quality pet treats. Friendly, pet owning and loving staff. Company treats staff well. Sample options for most food. The only pet store we go to for fresh products that are kept at a safe temperature. Once you come here, you will not go anywhere else for your pet needs. Also, well-behaved pets are welcome in the shop! read more

As parents of a cat and puppy, my boyfriend and I like to peruse the various pet stores in West Seattle. We had shopped at Next to Nature on previous occasions to purchase cat toys and decided to visit again this afternoon to browse after eating lunch at the Brewery. From the minute I stepped in, I could feel the surveillance in the form of the employees' constant presence and watchful eyes as they tried to discreetly follow us around the store. I do not know why they thought this was necessary, but it was very offensive and enough to deter me from ever going back. We went down the road to Pet Elements and gave them our patronage and money instead; they provided us with conversation, free samples, and respect. read more

This pet store is ok. They have a decent selection of higher quality brands, but they miss the mark on a lot of alternative foods. The other merchandise is fairly diverse, but the customer service is horrible. I have never been greeted when I come in the store or asked if I need help/have questions/etc. I would expect higher standards for customer service at such a specialty shop but maybe the owner simply doesn't care. What a shame since there is so much to learn about pet nutrition and holistic pet care. read more

This place is awesome. The staff is really friendly and knowledgeable. I come here to get food for my Olden Golden Retriever and to buy toys and treats for him. They have a wide selection to choose from and I usually end up spending more than I should. I highly recommend coming here for your pet needs. read more

I had just got back home from a tour in Iraq and being excited to see my 11 yr old Bullmastiff again I went to Next to Nature to pick up some special treats for the old timer. My goodness how the staff has changed. The 2 employees I interacted with did not have any special suggestions on snacks, nor did they even want to give me the time of day. They just kept yammering on with eachother about some phone call they were expecting. When I found some items and went to check out I got the distinct impression that the cashier thought he was better than me. Shabby, shabby service. read more

Amazing what 10 minutes of conversation can achieve! The owner of the store reached out to me directly and we had a wonderful talk over the phone. She was upset at the way I had been treated especially because making demands about vaccinations is NOT something she supports. Her philosophy of pet care is what is good for the health of the pets. Thank you, I look forward to visiting your store soon and enjoying the great benefits of a wonderful neighborhood pet store. read more

Next to Nature has your standard selection of natural and healthy pet food, what I like is that the owners are thoughtful on what is in their stores. It would be easy to toss in some products with not so stellar quality because people will buy it, however they pay attention to what is on the ingredient lists..and so do the employees. The toys are great too. read more