Very pleasant and knowledgeable staff. Their products are top-shelf but you get what you pay for. Over the past twenty years, I remember various companies like Purina having to recall their cat food because it was contaminated with non-edible material that caused the pets to die because their kidneys shut down. You are NOT going to have a problem like that with Thomas Tails. They actually research their products and it shows. There is a couple we pass on our street when walking the pets and my wife mentioned the Stella and Chewys food to them because they said their dog was having problems with sore joints. They tried it and when I saw him the other day he looked like a new dog! His head was up and he actually looked happier. I don't know what they were feeding him but the RAW diet makes a big difference. I don't want to sound like an infomercial but its true. read more

Always a pleasure doing business with this family owned pet supply store. Employees are knowledgeable and are always willing to help!

I went in today. Purchased 8 containers of cat food. Got all the way home and they all expired 9 MONTHS ago!! I call the store to ask for other flavors, they check and all those flavors expired last July, 9 months ago. I now have to drive back, return this food, and order it from Chewey where it is NOT expired. I tried to support a local store. My mistake! read more

Absolutely the best pet food and accessory store in the county. I have bought dozens of bags of dry dog food for my three hound dogs and frozen food for my Shih-Tzu at Thomas Tails and all my dogs are healthy and happy. Many of the foods are designed for pets with specific dietary needs. You will not find Alpo here. You will find food and supplements competitively priced. The food here is high quality and not cheap, but it will keep your fur babies healthy and happy. They offer a $5 rebate towards next purchase for every $100 you spend, and there are often sales on items or coupons available. There is a great selection of natural treats for dogs, cats and birds. I am very lucky to have found this place. The service is superb and the knowledge of the employees exceeds any chain pet store. read more

Thomas Tails - Pet Stores Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

My husband & I started shopping at Thomas Tails approximately 8 years ago after we adopted our first kitten. When we adopted her, she was sick and not wanting to eat anything. In desperation, I went into the store looking for something that might entice her. Linda, the owner, spent a good amount of time with me educating me about quality cat food and suggesting different foods and ideas. We have been loyal customers since then. Our 2 current cats eat a raw diet that we purchase at Thomas Tails and our dog is on Acana. A few months ago, one of the staff spent a good 30-40 minutes with me figuring out the slightly crazy rewards program that Acana's manufacturer, Champion, handles. She attempted calling the company as well as their own sales rep several times trying to get us answers. I was very appreciative because that food isn't cheap! In the end, I walked out with my free bag of Acana. We'll keep shopping at Thomas Tails for as long as we're in the area. read more

Thomas's is as good as it gets. The staff here provides the latest in pet food research and information with service not often seen in this century (yep, there, I said it --- the ENTIRE century :-) ). How many places will call a manufacturer to find out the answer to an obscure question and get back to the customer within the same day or two? Not many. Not any? This is long so if you don't have time, the high points are that with Thomas's help we now have two very lively and healthy dogs that 4 months ago were low energy, dull-coated, cloudy-eyed sick little pups. For doubters, I've included the details. I have two dogs -- both adopted and both have issues. Lucy, soaking weight, weighs less than 20 pounds. She has irritable bowel disease and was also attacked, lifted and dropped by an owl so she has various health issues related to that incident. She has been on steroids and very expensive prescription dog food for at least 3 years. While she was maintaining her weight on this regiment she was not healthy or happy. In desperation, I weaned her off the steroids and started mixing her script food with freshly cooked chicken breast. I very slowly weaned her off the canned food and she started to perk up. Her eyes got clearer, she put on a little muscle, she lost her profuse dandruff and she looked happier. Her shockingly offensive breath improved as well. Since our other rescue, Bert, also has health issues (epilepsy) I switched him to chicken as well. Once both dogs were fine with plain chicken (with a little homemade chicken broth) I went to Thomas's for advice on how to fill in around the chicken to meet their nutrient requirements. I had a ridiculous amount of questions, explained what I was attempting, and asked for advice. Wow, am I glad I went there. I'm using using Sojo's freeze-dried veg mixture and mixing it with the chicken and broth. The dogs aren't crazy about the veggies, but they still eat it. I also purchased a powdered probiotic supplement that easily mixes in as well. Linda also suggested some canned plain protein food for days that I cannot cook. They've been on this routine for just over two months and they are both so much healthier! Lucy has added 4 pounds of muscle, their energy is great, their coats are shiny and dander-free. Most importantly, Lucy now plays fetch with a bone -- something she has never done and to which we attributed to her rough start. Turns out she wanted to play but never had the energy to do it. To say we are ecstatic with the outcome is a gross understatement. I'm not naive enough to think we'll never need the steroids again, but if and when we do, I am hoping it will be for a short period of stabilization instead of chronic problems. Logistically, the store is located on the first floor of a beautiful brick four square home. There is plenty of street parking but there is also lots of parking in the back. The back entrance is just as accessible as the front so if it's the weekend park in back. If you call in an order during the week they will deliver on Saturday for a small charge. Amazing. Check this place out even if you don't have pets, for a refresher of what great service looks like. read more

I love the staff of Thomas' Tails! They are always extremely helpful, honest when they don't know the answer to something, willing to find out the answer, and return calls in a very timely fashion. I appreciate the time they are willing to take to educate their customers on the large variety of pet foods, treats, supplements, and leashes/collars. Recently I received an email from the owner I believe, stating that one of the pet food companies had been bought out by a larger company and there was some concern that the new company would not live up to the same high quality standards. I was impressed that this information would even be passed on to us customers. The owner asked for opinions about the need to continuing carrying the products....what a great idea...ask your customers what they want! I will continue to go out of my way to drive to their storefront. It's just off of Williams St in downtown Crystal Lake. read more

The staff is really helpful. They have a good selection of raw frozen food (as well as canned and kibble) for our dog and cat. Also vitamin and supplements. Best place in the area for natural pet stuff. read more

Can't get better service than from a local business that simply knows their customers, those furry ones! Always helpful, and I like the personable shop it historic downtown Crystal Lake. Great service, knowledgeable staff and an authentic love for pets. read more

Caring, compassionate, knowledgeable staff. Thanks Ashley and Lacey for the help on feeding and caring for my new cat. Each cat is different in understanding their particular needs. read more

Thomas' Tails is a great pet store, just great. Our Beagle, Wally, has a couple of small food allergies so we moved him over to natural grain-free food a couple of years back. We needed to make a change in his food again recently, and Thomas' was there to help. As Carrie noted in her review, the staff here is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They don't automatically steer you into the priciest option, but the best for your circumstance. The store is well-stocked with fresh, dry, and wet food for dogs and cats, plus supplements and the like. The selection is strong. Pricing is about average, but since this is a local business I'd rather spend my cash here. A great shop. If you live near or in CL and want the very best for your pet, here's the place. read more

I came in looking for Blue Buffalo, but even though they didn't have it, a worker (possibly owner) took the time to research the food I had previously fed my puppy to find a closely related product in their stores. She was SO knowledgable about dog food that I was extremely impressed. I was worried about feeding my dogs a different kind of food but with the ingredients being closely related and the knowledgable staff knowing my situation, I left feeling good about adding some variety to my pets diet (which turns out is good for them in small doses). I was also given a $3 off coupon upon purchase even though I didn't ask for a discount! I basically had a great and comfortable experience here at Thomas' Tails! read more

My favorite place to buy dog food. They really know the food products and are very customer service oriented. Keep your dog healthy... Shop here! read more

The selection here is great - they have a fantastic variety of dog food that is not only vastly superior in quality to the brands you'll find at Petco/PetSmart/etc., but much of it is actually significantly cheaper. However. I don't know where all these reviews are coming from when they talk about the friendly staff. My (and my wife's as well) experience has been quite opposite. Having been here many times, the staff has almost without exception seemed to be either in a terrible mood or downright rude. Coming to the counter to purchase food, they make it seem as if I'm interrupting their day. The notable exceptions are the occasions when a younger (college/high school age) staffer has been working. They've been great in my interactions with them. But the rest of the staff - particularly the woman who appears to be the manager/owner - has come off rude both to me and my wife on multiple occasions. Also, their hours are terrible if you've got the misfortune of having a job. Closing at 6 makes it nearly impossible to get there before closing time on weekdays for anyone that doesn't work in the immediate Crystal Lake area. In general, the story on Thomas Tails is this: Excellent selection, great products, fantastic prices combined with rude staff and poor hours. It's an odd combination, but the selection will keep me coming back. read more

They're so knowledgeable about different dog foods and how certain proteins are more likely to cause allergies. We LOVE this store!!!

Just shopped at Thomas Tails. Great knowledgable staff. Super helpful and very friendly. I'll never go to a big box pet store again. I just adopted a shelter dog and know that the food, treats, probiotics and fish oil will really help our new dog. Just what she needs! Store inside is bigger than it looks from the outside with the best high quality food. read more

The absolute best place for shopping for your best friends! The selection of food, supplements, treats, toys, leashes, collars, I can go on and on! The prices are competitive and if they do not have something I was looking for they would be happy to order it for us. With having this selection and a knowledgable staff why go anywhere else.... I have ALWAYS had a pleasant experience with the staff and their support staff (cats, birds, etc). Highly recommended !!! read more

We have been going to Thomas' Tails for a number of years now. When one of our dogs (Homer) was battling cancer, the staff, in conjunction with our veterinarian, helped us select the appropriate diet and supplements. While Homer was given only 4-6 months to live we were fortunate to have our buddy around for 13 months. After Homer passed we sent a thank you card with Homer's picture in it to the staff at Thomas' Tails. They put Homer's picture up, right by the register. It stayed there for months. The knowledge and compassion they showed in assisting us through that difficult time will never be forgotten. They are a great staff. read more

Great local pet food store that stocks the type of frozen raw food we feed our dog. Good selection of healthy pet foods and snacks. Everyone there is so nice and you can tell they love animals. I do swear one time our dog is going to take home his cat buddy from the store because he never wants to leave his side! read more

Excellent selection of raw food for my dogs. Staff really knows their products - better than any other pet food store I have experienced!

I love this pet store! They have the best of the best, including some with good price points. They are always so helpful, and our dogs and cat are very happy eaters. Not to mention, they have great toys/chew toys too. We love this place, and I will never be going to PetSmart again. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

Thomas Tails carries wonderful products & they are very knowledgeable. Everyone is friendly & willing to help. If they don't have an answer for you they will find out. I highly recommend Thomas Tails! read more

Thomas Tails suggested that we put our german shepard who had bone cancer to go grain free. She lived another 4 years and her cancer never reappeared. Our current german shepard has been grain free all of her life, she is now 7 and very healthy. read more

We absolutely LOVE Thomas's Tails! The staff (2 & 4 legged) are always happy to help and answer questions! Very knowledgable about their products!! Won't shop ANYWHERE else! Just learned THEY DELIVER too!! read more

Great place for your animal needs. Super friendly and helpful and a great healthy selection!

I completely agree with Jamie B.'s previous review of Thomas Tails. I want to love this place because their selection of food is amazing &, for me, their location is perfect but the staff, with the exception of two, is unpleasant at best. If I walk in there and don't see the skinny college guy or blonde girl, I know I'm going to suffer a poor experience. The 2 worst staff members there are the owners.....the younger one acts like it pains her to smile & the older one is either very friendly or, well......not very friendly, I've experienced both sides of her personality. Once, I stood in line for over 20 minutes while the owner searched high and low for a special order for the guy in front of me. When the owner wandered off to search for his order, he turned to me and said, "This is why I, usually, make my wife do this, because if I walk in here and the Burberry clad college kid isn't working, I know I've just thrown away 30 minutes of my life." At least he provided me with some comedic relief to an otherwise painful experience. Overall, convenience drives me back in there but if I have extra time, I go to Bentley's & if I were those 2 young, decent employees, I'd drive over to Bentley's and apply for a job. Bentley's employees are super friendly, all of them know where things are, and the store is impeccably maintained. read more

Thomas Tails has been the answer to all of my pet needs! I started caring about what my dogs ate six years ago when I learned what was in most commercial pet foods. The first time that I went to Thomas Tails, the friendly and knowledgeable staff walked me through all of the basics. They have everything that you need for your pets! I learned about feeding with variety, a(raw food, dry food or wet food) and how to give supplements (which they carry) if needed. I feel so good about the food that my dogs eat now. My almost 15 year old males and two year old female are in excellent health....just thriving. I know that I can count on Thomas Tails to answer my questions honestly. If they don't have a solution or answer, they will help find one. I am completely confident that Thomas Tails carries only excellent quality products that they use on their own pets. The staff never tries to sell me on something that I don't need. I would never go to a big retail pet supply store again. Thomas Tails is the store I trust for everything! I LOVE Thomas Tails! read more