We Are More Than Just A Pet Bakery!

Something we hear all the time is "WOAH...you have a lot of stuff in here. I thought this was just a bakery!"

We get this comment all the time, and honestly, it makes us laugh because it's true - we have a LOT of stuff!

While we did start as a pet bakery, we've grown into so much more. We love discovering and bringing in all the incredible products the pet industry has to offer because no two pets/people are the same. Some have allergies, some are incredibly picky, some need a little extra support, and some (actually - all) just deserve to be spoiled.
Yes, it can be a little overwhelming at first, but we'd rather have too many amazing options than not enough. We truly believe every pet deserves the chance to find what works best for them.

Believe it or not, Bon A-Pet-Treat! started in a home kitchen with one simple question:
"How can simple ingredient changes make such a big difference in our pets' lives?"
That question sparked a journey that has now lasted over 20 years.
We know it's a lot, but we are hoping to help break it down by re-introducing ourselves and share who we are, how we got here, and why we're so passionate about what we do.

We're Bon A-Pet-Treat! Pet Store & Bakery, a business built on a love for animals... and weirdly enough, funded in the most unorthodox way - through a unused boyband fund back in the 2000s.

This all started because of a Chocolate Lab!

Over twenty years ago, our story began with one very special dog. 

Toffee was our fearless leader, Emily's 9 year old Chocolate Lab. He had struggled with chronic ear infections, weight issues, and severe joint pain pretty much his entire life. His mobility had become so poor that some days he even struggled to make it to his water bowl.
After taking a job as a dog walker, some discussions came up about raw food. Curious and hopeful, she decided to make the switch.
Within just a few weeks, Toffee's chronic ear infections had almost disappeared. As time went on, he lost weight, began acupuncture and physiotherapy, and transformed into a happier, healthier dog. The changes both physically and mentally were incredible.

If food can have such a huge impact on our pets' lives, why aren't we talking about it more?

Emily wanted to share her story and wanted people to question what exactly they were feeding their pets, and why should it be so different than human food? Emily became passionate about sharing Toffee's story and encouraging pet parents to think differently about what they were feeding their pets. Why should pet food be any different than the quality of food we expect for ourselves? And where do you even begin when you're trying to navigate the pet food industry and find healthier alternatives?

Starting a business wasn't part of the original plan, but it felt like the stars were aligning in 2006.

At the time, Calgary had very little in the way of pet bakeries or specialty pet stores focused on healthy nutrition. When one of Emily's friends suggested starting a pet bakery, it immediately felt like the perfect fit. Not to mention, Emily and her friend had money saved up from a boyband fund that was being neglected and investing it into a new business just seemed to make sense. Safe to say, it was probably one of the most unexpected ways to fund a company!

With a passion for pets, simple wholesome ingredients, and a desire to offer something different, they started baking treats out of a home kitchen and selling them at local festivals and farmers' markets. There wasn't a big business plan or a clear roadmap. It was more of a "let's see where this goes" adventure with plenty of excitement, learning curves, late nights, and a LOT of chaos along the way.

And somehow... it worked.

What started as a small weekend project quickly grew into something much bigger. Our presence at the Calgary Farmers' Market went from once a month, to every weeken and now everyday. The demand continued to grow, and before long, the little home kitchen simply couldn't keep up.

The final sign that it was time for a change? Our parents' oven sizzled out the night before the Sun & Salsa Festival. It was one of those moments where you realize you might have officially outgrown your space!

After Emily became the sole owner of the company, the search began for a place that could handle the growing bakery and all the wonderful chaos that came with it.

Emily always knew she wanted this to be about more than just selling treats. She wanted to create a place where pet parents could come with the same questions that started this journey in the first place. A place where they could learn, explore, and feel confident about the choices they were making for their pets.
As more people shared their own stories and began asking questions about nutrition, healthier options, and products they couldn't find elsewhere, it became clear that the need was much bigger than a bakery.

That's when we found our home in Bowness.

With a full-scale bakery, an open retail space, and a passion for helping pets live happier, healthier lives, Bon A-Pet-Treat! Pet Store & Bakery was born.

More than twenty years later, that same mission still drives everything we do. It all started with one dog named Toffee and one simple belief:

Small changes can make a huge difference in a pet's life

Who We Are Now & Our Mission
Now in 2026, we have two retail stores and two Calgary Farmers' Market locations. We have seen so much growth over the years in the pet industry in terms of animal nutrition and science advancements but the care and passion in our customer base remains the same.

Calgary Farmers' Market South was our first location in 2006 where we sold our treats and began our retail journey. Bowness has been resilient in the past two decades, overcoming the 2013 floods, to break in's and renovations, and faced many construction road blocks that have challenged us and taught us how to adapt. It has also been the homes of multiple pets at the store, including a couple turtles, and our beloved "store managers/cats" Elroy and Molly, who were loved by everyone that stopped by to shop and visit.

Our Britannia location opened in 2019 as our third spot. We also partnered up with Peaceful Paws for grooming and walk in nail trims at this location. Many people and their pets stop by daily for treats, gifts, and just to say "Hi!" We are so happy and grateful to be in such a beautiful area and hope to continue to see you for many more years to come.

Calgary Farmers' Market West recently opened in 2022 and the community has been growing ever since. We can't wait to see what amenities and services this area has to offer!

Getting back to why we have so much stuff. Remember how we said "variety is key?" When it comes to your pet, we truly believe there is no single "right" answer. Just like a sweater, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every pet is different, every family is different, and what works perfectly for one pet might not be the right fit for another.

Our goal has never been to tell you what you have to do, it has always been to help you find what makes sense for you and your pet. It has never been just about selling treats, but it has always been about our passion for helping pets and the people who love them. We know firsthand how difficult it can be to watch an animal struggle, and we know how overwhelming it can feel trying to figure out the best path forward.

Whether it's a picky eater, a puppy learning the ropes, a senior dog needing extra joint support, or a cat dealing with food sensitivities, we want pet parents to know they always have someone they can turn to. Sometimes we just need another perspective, more information, or someone to help us understand the options available.

Because the truth is, sometimes we simply don't know what we don't know.

Knowledge is key and sometimes something so simple can make the biggest difference. That is what we hope to provide every person who walks through our doors or visits us at the markets: options, education, and support to help them make the best decisions they can for their pets.

It's also never been about the sales or the products, but always about the love of animals. If we were in it for the money, we would not be in the pet industry. Our team tries to share our experiences and what we have come to learn firsthand. Animals are a part of our families, and they deserve as much love and care as we do. But what makes this industry truly special is that it isn't just about the animals, it is about the people who love them.
Over the years, our customers have become so much more than customers. We have celebrated birthdays, answered endless questions, shared in happy moments, listened to stories, and supported families through some of their hardest goodbyes. We have been lucky enough to be part of so many moments in people's lives, and that is something we never take for granted. So please, never stop bringing us your questions, your concerns, your pet photos, and your updates. Those are the moments that remind us why we do what we do.

Getting to where we are today has not always been easy, but it has been one of the most rewarding journeys we could have imagined. A huge part of that success comes down to one thing: our team.
Our team members are people we trust completely to care for our customers and their pets every single day. They share the same mindset we have always believed in: "If we wouldn't feed it to our own pets, why would we sell it to yours?"

They are not only knowledgeable, they are kind, passionate, and constantly learning. They genuinely care about helping people and finding the best solutions they can. In fact, we are incredibly proud that our very first employee is still part of our team today.

At Bon A-Pet-Treat!, our philosophy has always been simple:

Make it make sense for you because everyone is unique!

We listen, we ask questions, we look for answers when we don't have them, and we do our best to provide guidance based on the information we have.

The relationship we have built with our community is what makes Bon A-Pet-Treat! so special.

We are not just a pet bakery. We are not just a pet store. We are a place where you can come for everything your pet needs, a friendly chat with our staff members, and a place that makes memories last forever.

And after more than twenty years, that is still what matters most.

We Invite You To Look Further
We offer toys, foods and treats for all kinds of diets including kibble, raw, freeze-dried, dehydrated, canned food, and more. These foods are carefully selected and researched by us to make sure they align with our values and we are willing to stand behind. "Fresh is best" is something we truly believe in and you can find that in all things we have to offer. But we also understand that sometimes it doesn't make sense for you or your pet. That is where "make it make sense for you" comes in, and we are here to help you find what does make sense for you.

Our bakery treats are still the heart of what we do and they continue to represent the love and care we have for animals and what they're consuming every day. We will never stop loving the excitement of wagging tails walking through the doors and the love we feel when seeing your animals eating our treats. The next time you're visiting one of our locations, we invite you to look around. You might find a new favourite toy that will be lugged around everywhere, or see foods you have never tried. Ask us anything! We love chatting with you and answering any questions you may have. We are so much more than just a pet bakery, and we want to be here for you and your pet for every stage of life that we can!