Thomas Tails

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

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!

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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 naïve 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.

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.

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.

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.