Pro Feed Pet Nutrition Center

I checked out this store the other day. The prices are outrageous! For the exact same brand and size of dog treats, they charge $ 20 whereas TJ Maxx charges for only $ 8. I was able to get a few can food for my cat to let her try since other local pet stores don’t carry them. I would buy can food from this store but would never ever buy dry food or treats. If you’re looking for holistic food, try Pet Supplies Plus in Kingstowne. They carry brands like Orijen and Evo at a very reasonable price. Pet Depot on Columbia Pike is another good one where the prices are reasonable as well.
The staff wasn’t very welcoming either. The male staff was playing music pretty loudly at the back without offering any help. The young female cashier acted like she didn’t want to be there. I also would recommend this store to have the prices tagged on the shelf like most pet stores do instead of putting them on their little flyers.

Love this store and all the employees! They are all so polite and help me with anything I need. I would never go anywhere else. I can’t say more positive things about the amazing service I receive here!

Despite the convenience to my apartment and the large variety of natural brands, today was my last visit to Pro Feed. As others have said, the prices are absurd — they aren’t tacking on a few dollars more to prices at other stores, I am talking 50% more. And I also don’t just mean 50% more than big box stores like Petco, this place is double the price of other holistic/​natural stores. I begrudgingly went in there today because I needed a certain brand of food and didn’t feel like driving into Old Town, but promised myself it was the last time I would be throwing away money there. One man who was looking at cat food next to me, looked at the pricing sheet and just said «oh my god, these prices are outrageous!» and walked out.
In addition, there is a lack of professionalism here. I’ve had good service a few times but mainly it is employees looking at their phones, one employee talking about how hot certain women are very loudly to his coworkers. If you are charging prices like you are a boutique on Rodeo Drive, act accordingly.
The lack of professionalism mixed with the absurd prices is enough to make me drive a little further for my pet supplies.

Didn’t have clay pellets in stock, disorganized, and paid almost 50% over retail on BlueWild Chicken Cat Food (49.99 vs. 35.99 at Petco.)
Highway robbery.

The most difficult thing you’ll run into is selecting just one item. The prices are high, but the people are friendly and efficient. Not particularly professional, but it’s fine. I came in, asked a few questions, found what I was looking for and left. They should have asked if I needed help rather than waiting for me to approach them, but it was an OK experience.

I recently was awarded my coupon for purchases made over time. Yesterday I went in and told them I had lost it and the guy shrugged his shoulders in a «too bad so sad» manner. I said «well you must have my purchases on the computer since you were tracking it to know when to give me the coupon». «Nope» was the answer and there was no intention honoring my alleged coupon…
Their last program was buy so many bags of food get a bag free and it was on the computer and they just gave you the free bag. I spend buckets of money here (did), but this lack of customer focused service just sent me packing. I will order the food from Amazon or find another retailer.

Lots of food, teats and other goodies for the pets. Stuff tends to sell out quite quickly, so if you come on an off day then they may not have the stuff that you’re looking for.

Three stars for helpful and friendly staff only. Other than that, this place is way too expensive. The 12 patty raw food package was $ 44, it’s $ 34 at Old Town School for Dogs.

As some reviewers stated, it’s a small store but I have always had great service from the staff there, usually nice and helpful. That being said, I have stopped shopping here because of how overpriced some of the food can be. Just to give one example, I pay $ 31 for the same case of can food on Amazon that cost me $ 58 at the store. That’s way too much. There’s also no guarantee they’ll actually have the food in stock when you need it, most likely due to the size of the store. As nice it’s to have a neighborhood pet store, I can’t see how it can survive in the long run considering most of the things they sell, you can find in your local grocery store or simply order online and pay either the same price or much less without requiring an extra trip.

Helping me pick the best for my boy since 2003.
Used to even trim his nails for me when he was a puppy.
Always have great advice on food, toys, treats, and spoil my whippet rotten when we pop in.
A great selection of single source protein, grain free, raw, and regular foods. Plus, they carry my purchases to my car every time. Nice!
Can be a bit pricey.

Much better selection than most big chain retail stores, a little on the pricey side.

Used to go to Pro Feed regularly for pet food, as it is 10 minutes from my house and the specialty food my «kids» eat isn’t sold in grocery stores or at the vet. A little over a year ago, it seemed like they developed chronic stock issues. Every visit they would consistently be out of at least two of the three foods that I use, with no idea when they’d be getting more. So I went online and found the same foods at much lower prices. Even with shipping costs, the price is still several dollars a bag cheaper, it arrives in 2 – 3 days, and the online provider always has what I need in stock.
So I rarely go to Pro Feed anymore, unless I run out of something and need it ASAP, like cat litter or dog treats. But those are so overpriced that I try my best to stock up when I go to Petco, PetSmart or My Organic Market (Pro Feed charges $ 7 more for the identical container of cat litter and, once again, they often won’t have what I need in stock).
Also, the staff is really hit or miss. A few of the younger guys seem to know what they’re talking about, seem cool, and seem like they actually want to help you. Unfortunately, some staff can’t answer even basic questions about the location of items (although the store gets rearranged so often, perhaps they just don’t know where anything is anymore), and a few of them don’t seem to offer much except an attitude.
Pro Feed is fine in a pinch, but it’s products are overpriced, and its customer service is underwhelming.

We’ve been going here for about a year and a half. We have two small dogs and don’t need a 40lb bag of food so we buy the 6lb bag. For the last 4 months they either are «out» and will get some in or we’ve even been told «oh we’ve never carried that brand in that size». We try here first because they’re a 5 min drive from the house. We usually end up driving 45 min out of our way to a friendlier store… They’re just kind of far in a direction we hardly go. After our last few visits to Pro Feed I really don’t mind the other store. The workers at Pro Feed are masters at making excuses and aren’t very knowledgeable. Avoid at all costs.

Very good selection of high quality pet food. We’ve always had very good service — –the staff sometimes appears young, but they are all extremely knowledgeable about their products. It’s a little pricey, but you get what you pay for.
We’ve found some great, quality toys there as well.

I really like supporting local business that aren’t huge, impersonal companies like PetSmart. I like how this Pro Feed store lets people bring their pets in and think it’s really cool that they have frequent cat adoptions on weekends. It has a very welcoming atmosphere.
I can’t speak to the prices on the regular cat/​dog food since I have to buy my pet’s food through my veterinarian, but I have been disappointed at how infrequently (and unpredictably) they seem to stock food for certain pets. I tried to buy chinchilla food here recently (which my boyfriend has found here before, and purchased), but they were out, despite having shelves of hay and other bedding for rabbits. The employee told me that they normally get chinchilla food delivered on Thursdays, and that they would put a bag on hold for me since they were out. I called on Thursday and the guy on the phone said «I don’t know why we don’t have any or what happened. We did have a bag yesterday, but it’s gone now. Sorry.» I thought the whole point of ordering something is that the store holds it for you to pick up, not let someone else have it. It was confusing and a bit frustrating. It would actually make more sense to me if they simply never stocked food for exotic pets (which would be understandable since they’re less common), but this store seems to have a very sporadic and unpredictable inventory.
I agree with other commenters in that the store is quite, quite cramped. If there is more than one person in an aisle, there is literally no room to move past them. While I will occasionally still buy other pet supplies here, we will have to look elsewhere to buy food for our chinchilla! Oh well.

I too don’t get all the negative press! While the prices may not be that great, what do you expect to pay if you don’t intend to feed your dogs or cats crap?! If you’re too worried about spending too much money on your furkids, stick with the crap food that the chain stores sell. However, if you’re more open minded, come here and find some of the friendly, knowledgeable folks on their staff. When I adopted my puppy several years ago, he was eating a pretty expensive can of wet food (almost $ 3 a can), but I spoke with someone and he gave me a good alternative with a significantly lower price tag. Of course, it was a brand that the big chain places don’t have, but with the 12^th case free program (I think that’s the number) it’s not too bad!
I have to disagree with many of the folks here as I have found everyone at this location to be pretty knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful and I usually visit after work so that’s definitely saying something!
I may have to agree that you will probably want to skip your natural treats that are available elsewhere since the prices here can be steep, but at least you have lots of options here!

If your pet requires some sort of super specialized diet, this is likely the place for you. However if you’re simply in the market for treats I’d advise you to steer clear and just stick with either ordering on-​line or hitting the bog box places. I’m all about supporting local small businesses when I can, but the pricing in this place is quite simply off the charts.
The other day I picked up a bag of Dogswel Vitality chicken breasts. It was 29.99 plus tax for a 15oz bag. The very same thing is available on line for $ 14.99. Even with shipping it’s 35% less. I’ve seen it in other stores for around $ 20. You can’t tell me they’re paying more than $ 15 for this bag of treats assuming they buy in bulk. That means they’re getting a 100% return. That’s outrageous — or is it genius since I bought it anyway?

A little pricey ($ 15 rawhide bones, anyone?), but man, do I love the staff: young, friendly, helpful, and most important, not creepy pet people. Ernesto and Anthony, you make my day! And my dog loves that blue dinosaur harmonic squeaky toy.
They carry the foo-​foo all meat wet food I feed my spoiled puppy, and although they charge about $.20/​can more than the price I can get online, they’ve got a loyalty 12^th-​case-​is-​free program that makes up the difference in the long term.

Holy Labrador Retriever, what’s with all the hate for this place?
Yup, it’s small, cramped, and packed with merchandise. But this is Alexandria. Prime real estate and larger spaces are quite expensive and can ratchet overhead unrealistically high for a lot of small businesses. Not to mention that the merchandise crammed into this little space is the best quality out there.
And yes, it’s rather pricey (probably to pay that high rent). I don’t shop here regularly for basic pet supplies, but when I have something specific in mind — like pure meat pet treats or extra strength barrier sprays — I know Pro Feed will have it.
As for the service, I’m really surprised to read how many other reviewers think it rude, aloof, or inexperienced. I actually find it to be quite the opposite. I’m usually greeted at the door and offered help finding what I’m looking for. And I’ve had many a conversation with different sales associates that have left me feeling like they know what they’re talking about. I often leave this Pro Feed thinking how nice the people working here are.
Such a shame that they’ve gotten mixed press. I’m a big believer in supporting local economy, and I like to see my local businesses thrive.

I’ve been to 3 of the 4 Pro-Feed’s in the area– Dc, Vienna, and Alexandria. The Alexandria location is by far the worst because its so cramped & jam-​packed with stuff. Worse when you add customers & their dogs, it’s a claustraphobic’s nightmare!
Add ridiculous $ 5-​$ 10 markups compared to other dog stores & boutiques. Then throw in some inexperienced and uneducated, with regard to pet products, etc, (but friendly & willing to help) staff who stare blankly at you when you request a product & then literally say, «Do you know where we normally keep it?» Um, no, I don’t because if I did, I would have looked and wouldn’t be asking you!
Lastly, staff should ask owner permission before waving a treat in front of your dog’s nose– not only is it the polite, well-​informed thing to do, but at a «nutrition center» they should know (or be taught as part of staff training) that pets can have food allergies & GI conditions, and that treat might not be appropriate for Fido.
Skip Pro-​Feed– go to Wiley Wagg or PetMac in Arlington. The staff are much more pet & nutrition saavy, they have decent prices, and know what their store stocks.