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We read every ingredient label
Before anything goes on the shelf, Margot reads the full ingredient list. If the first three ingredients are fillers or by-products, it doesn't make the cut. Simple rule, takes time, worth it.
News & Announcements
News & Announcements
2026-06-15
Cold-Pressed vs Extruded Dog Food: What Actually Differs
Most dry dog food is made by extrusion: ingredients are mixed, pushed through a die at high pressure and temperature, and puffed into the familiar kibble shape. Cold-pressed food uses a different process, and the difference matters more than most packaging makes clear. Here is what actually changes between the two methods.
Read more →2026-05-20
How to Actually Read a Pet Food Ingredient List
Pet food labels are written to comply with regulations, not to make things easy to understand. Once you know …
2026-07-01
Keeping Dogs Cool in Summer: What Actually Works
Dogs regulate body temperature almost entirely through panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. I…
Our products
Why people keep coming back
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Small-batch and independent brands first
About 70% of what we stock comes from independent makers. Small-batch food producers, cottage toy workshops, family-run supplement brands. You won't find most of them at the supermarket.
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Honest advice, no upsell pressure
If your dog does fine on a mid-range kibble, we'll tell you that. We'd rather you trust us than spend more than you need to.
About
A bit more
These days the shop stocks around 400 individual products across dogs, cats, small animals, and birds. Margot still reads every new supplier's ingredient list before agreeing to stock them, and she still does the Tuesday delivery run herself. Biscuit the tabby arrived as a stray in 2019 and has not left. Fennel, a grey-and-white short-hair, turned up two winters ago and immediately claimed the spot next to the treat wall. Neither of them is for sale.
I'd rather stock forty things I believe in than four hundred things I don't.Founder & maker
Meet the maker
Margot Ellison
Founder, Established since 2014
Margot Ellison opened Paws & Whiskers in 2014 after three years as a buyer for a veterinary supply chain, where she grew frustrated with the gap between product marketing and actual ingredient quality. Before that she worked briefly as a veterinary receptionist, which is where she first started paying attention to what animals were actually eating. She trained informally under a veterinary nutritionist for three years before the shop opened and still handles all new supplier vetting herself. Outside the shop she keeps two dogs, a lurcher named Pip and a very old beagle named Clive, and she grows most of her own vegetables. She is not on social media but she does reply to every email.
hello@pawswhiskers-45199.comFAQ
Common questions
Do you stock food for pets with allergies or dietary restrictions?
Yes, and it's something we take seriously. Margot spent time working with a veterinary nutritionist and knows the ingredient landscape well. We stock several hypoallergenic lines across dogs and cats, and if you book a nutrition consultation she can build a specific food plan around your pet's needs and what's actually available on our shelves.
How does the subscription box work?
You tell us your pet's species, size, and any dietary preferences, and we put together a monthly box. It goes out on the last Friday of each month. You can swap individual items any time before the 20th. There's no minimum commitment. Cancel whenever you like, no fee.
Is same-day delivery really same-day?
Yes, if you order before noon Tuesday through Saturday. Margot runs the route herself, so it's not a courier service with tracking updates. But it does arrive. Usually between 1pm and 4pm depending on the day's route. If something comes up and delivery is delayed, she'll call you.
Can I return something my pet won't eat?
Yes. Bring it back within 30 days, in whatever condition it's in. We don't need a receipt and we won't ask for an explanation. Pets are picky and that's not your fault. We'll swap it for something else or give you a credit note.
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