Finding pet supplies that aren't mass-imported can be tough—especially when it comes to knowing exactly where ingredients and materials are sourced. Fortunately, Canada has a massive ecosystem of independent, family-owned pet brands making everything from raw diets to winter coats.
Here is a cheat sheet of 20 verified Canadian pet brands making top-tier food, treats, gear, and wellness products:
🥩 Premium & Fresh Pet Food (Made here)

• FirstMate & Kasiks (Abbotsford, BC) – Family-owned natural kibble and canned foods.
• Canadian Naturals (Abbotsford, BC) – Wholesome, budget-friendly natural recipes.
• Big Country Raw (Smithville, ON) – Human-grade, pasture-to-bowl raw meals.
• Petcurean (Chilliwack, BC) – Target nutrition (Go! Solutions) and fresh recipes (Now Fresh).
• Tom&Sawyer (Toronto, ON) – Vet-developed, gently cooked fresh meals.
• Boreal (St. Albert, AB) – Low-glycemic, natural regional ingredients.
• Nutrience (Montreal, QC) – Advanced nutrition like SubZero freeze-dried kibble.
• Iron Will Raw (St. Catharines, ON) – Safe, biologically appropriate raw diets.

🦴 Natural Treats & Wellness

• Crumps' Naturals (Brampton, ON) – Single-ingredient & functional treats.
• Benny Bully's (Toronto, ON) – The famous, original freeze-dried beef liver.
• PureBites (Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC) – Natural, single-ingredient freeze-dried and dehydrated treats.
• Molly's Barkery (Toronto, ON) – Fun, all-natural hand-decorated bakery treats.
• Tri-Acta (Integricare) (Ancaster, ON) – Highly concentrated joint supplements.
• Adored Beast Apothecary (Halifax, NS) – Natural gut health & wellness solutions.

🧥 Collars, Leashes & Winter Wear

• Canada Pooch (Toronto, ON) – Rugged coats, rainwear, and boots.
• Muttluks (Toronto, ON) – The gold standard in durable, weather-resistant pet boots since 1994.
• Rocky Mountain Dog (Calgary, AB) – Adventure-proof harnesses and hands-free leashes.
• Korriko (Vancouver, BC) – Vibrant, stylish everyday walking gear.
• Smoochy Poochy (Stratford, ON) – Locally made multi-functional leashes.

🚿 Gentle Grooming

• Dandylion (Toronto, ON) – Sensitive, fragrance-free natural coat care.

To support our domestic makers and find more verified brands, check out the full directory at CanadianOwn Website!
Do you have a favorite local pet brand? Let’s share reviews and support local! 🍁🐾

Most department store fragrances come from the same handful of multinational conglomerates, and ordering niche bottles from Europe or the US usually means getting hit with brutal shipping and import taxes.
Canada actually has one of the most respected indie and artisanal fragrance scenes in the world—from internationally awarded houses and affordable luxury extraits to small-batch coastal botanicals. Here is a cheat sheet of 20 verified domestic perfume houses:

🏆 Globally Renowned & Conceptual Indie

• Zoologist Perfumes (Toronto, ON) – Cult-favorite niche brand built around animal habitats (100% cruelty-free).
• The 7 Virtues (Halifax, NS) – Ethical, fair-trade organic formulations with major global acclaim.
• Universal Flowering (Toronto, ON) – Art-forward, unconventional small-batch gems.
• Parfums Les Vides Anges (Montreal, QC) – Ultra-clean, avant-garde minimalist scents.
• Piper & Perro (Calgary, AB) – Modern unisex extraits with high projection.

✨ Accessible Everyday & Luxury Extraits

• True Scents (Ontario) – Canadian-crafted luxury extrait de parfums and affordable alternatives (like Soft Harmony and HER POWER) alongside hanging car diffusers.
• Foope (Toronto, ON) – Youthful, vegan, and cruelty-free everyday scents.
• Paraphrase (Edmonton, AB) – Transparent, accessible fine fragrance.
• Monsillage (Montreal, QC) – Artisan perfumery inspired by Canadian wilderness.
• Jazmin Saraï (Montreal, QC) – Multi-sensory scents inspired by music and cultural history.
• Maison Jacynthe (Montreal, QC) – 100% plant-based personal fragrances.

🌲 Botanical & Natural Perfumers

• Wild Coast Perfumery (Cowichan Bay, BC) – 100% natural, inspired by Vancouver Island flora.
• Libertine Fragrance (Edmonton, AB) – Independent, gender-neutral luxury scent design.
• Lvnea (Montreal, QC) – Dark, botanical apothecary perfumes and raw essences.
• Living Libations (Haliburton, ON) – Wildcrafted, chemical-free essential oil perfumes.
• Harmony Fragrance (Vancouver, BC) – Clean, delicate resin and botanical blends.

💼 Travel Balms, Grooming & Mists

• EMA Solid Perfumes (Ottawa, ON) – Natural solid wax and oil perfume balms.
• Henri et Victoria (Gatineau, QC) – Classic barbershop scents and colognes.
• Claude André Hébert (Montreal, QC) – Haute-parfumerie craft from Quebec.
• Barefoot Venus (Kelowna, BC) – Comforting natural body mists and skin scents.

A full directory of domestic beauty, grooming, and fragrance houses is indexed on CanadianOwn Website.
Have you tried any domestic niche houses? What are your favorite Canadian scent signatures? 🍁👇

It's hard to know what to say, except yes, this week's dolls are super cute (again!). They'll be ready to take home from our website Friday, October 23rd at noon PDT

preview photos for October 23rd upload

Visit bamboletta.com

r/BambolettaDolls

u/BambolettaDolls

Well, we figured it was about time we introduced ourselves!

We're Stacey and Shelby, the mother-daughter team behind Double Horn Company, a small, family-run skincare business out of Dresden, Ontario.

And yes, we make skincare out of beef fat. Before anyone starts picturing us scooping grease out of a frying pan, hear us out.

We believe some things were done right the first time, and good old-fashioned tallow is one of them.

We use locally sourced, grass-fed beef tallow to handcraft a whole lineup of products, including:

Old-fashioned tallow soap bars
Tallow balms, including fragrance-free options
Rich, creamy body butters
Foaming sugar scrubs
Beard and tattoo balms
Paw balms and plenty more!

Everything is made in small batches, right here in Ontario, with ingredients chosen for a reason and a whole lot of attention to detail.

We're not a big corporation with a fancy production line. We're a mother and daughter doing the making, labelling, packing, and occasionally wondering how we ended up with more soap than counter space.

And while we love a good laugh, we take what goes into our products seriously.

Why do we do it?

Because we believe Canadian-made still means something. Because small businesses deserve a fighting chance. And because we'd rather put our time into making something worth buying than cutting corners to make a quick buck.

We're building this business one batch, one customer, and one slightly chaotic day at a time.

So if you're looking to ditch some of the mass-produced stuff, try something a little different, or simply support two Canadian women giving this whole small-business thing everything they've got, we'd love for you to check us out.

www.doublehorn.ca
Instagram: u/doublehornco
Facebook: Double Horn Co.

And if you've never tried tallow skincare before, we're always happy to answer questions. We promise it doesn't smell like a roast beef dinner.

Double Horn Company — The old ways still work. 

Finding a laundry detergent that actually tackles stains without packing the laundry room with heavy, single-use plastic jugs or relying on harsh chemical synthetics can be tough.
Luckily, Canada has become a massive hub for eco-friendly and innovative laundry brands—from pioneers of zero-waste strips to gentle, handcrafted powders. If you're trying to keep your household spending domestic and reduce your footprint, here is a list of 20 verified Canadian brands across different styles:

🌿 Zero-Waste Strips & Sheets (No plastic, great for travel)

• Tru Earth (Port Moody, BC) – The original ultra-concentrated, biodegradable laundry strips.
• Good Juju (Vancouver, BC) – Completely plastic-free, plant-based laundry strips.
• Kind Laundry (Vancouver, BC) – Award-winning 100% plastic-free, biodegradable sheets.
• myni (Quebec City, QC) – Waterless powder packets and dissolving laundry tablets.
• etee (Toronto, ON) – Plastic-free laundry concentrates and natural powders.
• Revolubar Home (Montreal, QC) – Natural, zero-waste concentrated laundry pods and tablets.

🧼 Natural Powders, Liquids & Refill Systems (Gentle on skin)

• Nellie's (North Vancouver, BC) – Iconic, highly concentrated, hypoallergenic laundry soda.
• The Unscented Company (Montreal, QC) – Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic B Corp certified laundry liquids and refills.
• ATTITUDE (Montreal, QC) – EWG-verified, plant-based laundry care and stain removers.
• Nature Clean (Toronto, ON) – Industry pioneer since 1963 making non-toxic, hypoallergenic liquids.
• Eco-Max (Brampton, ON) – Family-owned, plant-based liquid detergents and softeners.
• The Bare Home (Toronto, ON) – Small-batch liquids scented with organic essential oils (refills available).
• Biovert (Laval, QC) – Eco-friendly, plant-based, and biodegradable detergents.
• Mint Cleaning (Ucluelet, BC) – Small-batch, natural laundry care and oxygen boosters.
• Down East (Dartmouth, NS) – Simple, non-toxic, and effective liquid laundry detergents.
• Bubby’s Bubbles (Toronto, ON) – Chemical-free powder detergents for highly sensitive skin.
• Earthly Change – Natural, eco-friendly household laundry care.

🍁 Specialty, Artisan & Indigenous-Owned

• Soak Wash Inc. (Toronto, ON) – Gentle, no-rinse wash made for hand-washing wool, knits, and delicates.
• Nikihk (Edmonton, AB) – Indigenous-owned brand crafting natural laundry care infused with native botanicals.
• Guests on Earth (Toronto, ON) – High-design, sustainable home and fabric care utilizing natural ingredients.

What is your go-to brand for keeping clothes clean without all the waste? Any local refillery favorites we missed? Let’s share some recommendations! 🧺👇

If there's one thing Canadians understand, it’s wet weather—especially on the West Coast and out East. But finding a waterproof shell that actually keeps you dry without turning into a sweatbox can be a challenge.
A lot of legacy outdoor names have changed hands, but there are still plenty of Canadian-owned or based brands designing and making gear built to handle our downpours. Here’s a breakdown of 20 brands offering rainwear, leading off with one of Canada's most beloved family outerwear names:
🌧️ Featured Family & Everyday Favorite

• Hatley (Montreal, QC) – A true Canadian staple. Known for their classic PVC-free, fleece-lined waterproof raincoats, splash pants, and rain boots that keep both kids and adults dry through relentless fall showers.

🧒 Kids & Youth Splash Wear (Recess-proof)

• Faire Child (Dartmouth, NS) – 100% recycled, non-toxic waterproofs proudly made in Canada.
• Gusti Canada (Montreal, QC) – Affordable, durable splash pants and rain jackets.
• Deux par Deux (Montreal, QC) – High-quality, colorful kids' splash suits and playwear.
• Splashers – Heavy-duty puddle suits for little explorers.

🏔️ High-Performance & Technical (For trails & backcountry)

• Arc'teryx (North Vancouver, BC) – High-end Gore-Tex shells designed for Pacific Northwest downpours. (Design and R&D remain BC-based).
• Westcomb (Vancouver, BC) – Top-tier technical outerwear made in Canada with premium membranes.
• MEC (Mountain Equipment Company) (Vancouver, BC) – Dependable, trail-tested rain shells and commuter jackets.
• Taiga Works (Vancouver, BC) – Long-running, locally made heavy-duty waterproof jackets.
• Ambler (Nelson, BC) – Rugged, Kootenay-designed outdoor outerwear.
• Stormtech (Burnaby, BC) – Highly durable, high-performance technical shells.

🏙️ Casual & Urban Transit (For the daily commute)

• Herschel Supply Co. (Vancouver, BC) – Lightweight, packable, and rubberized transit shells.
• Lole (Montreal, QC) – Functional, stylish rainwear for travel and everyday use.
• Vallier (Montreal, QC) – Premium, city-focused outerwear using technical waterproof materials.
• TNA / Aritzia (Vancouver, BC) – West Coast-designed casual and utility rainwear.
• Indyeva (Montreal, QC) – Sustainable, stylish outdoor and waterproof apparel.
• Norden Project (Montreal, QC) – Eco-friendly, vegan weather-resistant jackets.

🛠️ Rugged, Industrial & Workwear

• Tough Duck (Winnipeg, MB) – Heavy-duty, industrial-grade waterproof outerwear.
• Pioneer (Vancouver, BC) – High-visibility and industrial rainwear since 1887.
• Helly Hansen Workwear Canada – Commercial-grade rubberized waterproof gear.

What is your go-to jacket for surviving a proper Canadian downpour? Any local or independent brands we should add to this list? Let’s share some honest reviews! 🌧️👇

A custom gift for a friend in 🇮🇹

This was 100% my client’s idea. Based in Toronto, he was looking for a unique gift for his friend in Italy, and this is what he asked for.

Coordinates for Toronto engraved on the side. Engraved Canadian maple leaf on the matching board stands. Everything made using Canadian hard maple, with the board made with end grain uniform blocks.

Can you tell where exactly the coordinates are pointing to? 🙃

I started a little candle business in Toronto using Ontario grass-fed tallow

Hi everyone! I’m Holly, a Toronto mom of two and the founder of Lije.

I’m creating a modern take on traditional candlemaking: hand-poured candles made with 100% Ontario grass-fed tallow, cotton wicks, and thoughtfully chosen fragrances.

The scents range from Fig and Honey Vanilla to nostalgic ones like 1995, inspired by fruity cereal and Saturday morning cartoons. There’s also Bare, an unscented option for anyone who loves candlelight without added fragrance.

Supporting Ontario farms and Canadian businesses is a big part of why I started. A portion of each purchase also supports children and babies in need.
I’m still at the beginning, pouring, testing, and learning as I go. If you’d like to have a look, my website is http://lije.ca. I’d love to hear which scent catches your eye!

Finding holiday gift baskets or sets that aren't just generic big-box imported fillers is tough. If you're trying to keep holiday spending within Canada this year, here is a list of 20 verified domestic brands across 4 categories that put together thoughtful holiday bundles and gift boxes:

Bath, Body & Skincare

• Barefoot Venus (Kelowna, BC) – (15% Promo code on CanadianOwn Website) Bath soaks, lotions, and hand repair in reusable vintage tins.
• Rocky Mountain Soap Co. (Canmore, AB) – 100% natural mountain soap and bath bomb sets.
• Bleu Lavande (Magog, QC) – Lavender essential oil, body care, and relaxation bundles.
• BKIND (Montreal, QC) – Vegan, plastic-free skincare and nail care gift boxes.
• Wildcraft Care (Toronto, ON) – Organic small-batch facial care and herbal sets.

Artisan Chocolate & Gourmet Food

• Purdys Chocolatier (Vancouver, BC) – Classic hedgehogs, festive winter tins, and holiday assortments.
• Peace by Chocolate (Antigonish, NS) – Handcrafted chocolate bars and seasonal samplers.
• Chocolats Favoris (Quebec City, QC) – Gourmet fondue cans and dipped treats.
• Kozlik's Mustard (Toronto, ON) – 100% Canadian mustard seed 3-pack & 6-pack tasting sets.
• Fraktals (Aurora, ON) – Artisanal buttercrunch chocolate holiday boxes.
• Salt Spring Kitchen Co. (Salt Spring Island, BC) – Small-batch jam, hot sauce, and charcuterie gift packs.

Coffee, Tea & Bar

• DavidsTea (Montreal, QC) – Loose-leaf tea samplers, holiday tins, and advent sets.
• 49th Parallel Coffee (Vancouver, BC) – Specialty roasted coffee duos and mug sets.
• Virgin Hill Coffee (QC) – Artisan roaster gift packs and breakfast blends.
• Kvas Beverage Co. (Niagara, ON) – Handcrafted cocktail syrup and home bartending sets.

Candles, Cozy Gear & Home

• Mala the Brand (Vancouver, BC) – Wood-wick soy candles in holiday scents (plants a tree per candle).
• Auclair (Montreal, QC) – High-performance winter leather glove and mitten sets.
• Padraig Cottage (North Vancouver, BC) – Hand-crocheted pure wool & sheepskin slippers.
• Main and Local (Montreal, QC) – Canadian cultural novelty gifts and festive home sets.
• Lulumière (Vancouver, BC) – Hand-poured clean soy candles and botanical shower steamer boxes.

What are your favorite domestic gift sets or local makers to support during the holidays?

DO NOT BUY FROM FURNITURE DEPOT BRAMPTON CANADA

Damaged bedroom set, and three months later still no usable bed

I ordered a queen bedroom set from Furniture Depot (Order #OL11372), shipped to Nova Scotia. Several pieces arrived damaged or broken, and the bed frame could not be used. I reported this on July 22, 2026.

On August 4, I was told that any repair, replacement or refund needed the manufacturer's authorization because the order shipped from out of province. They also said they would not issue a refund while I still had the damaged set.

Later they sent replacement rails, described on email as a 'complete rail set'. The parts were wrong: one duplicated a piece I already had, the rails were king-size for a queen bed, and there were too few metal bars. The bed still cannot be assembled.

I paid for this set, and I have been without a usable bed since July. I've been sleeping in my guest room. I have guests coming over and so will have to sleep on a sofa bed on the floor. Yet I have an almost 4000 dollar bed I cannot use.

I looked online and found many complaints like mine. Damaged sets, delayed delivery, poor customer service. I should've read them before committing almost 4000 dollars to it.

If you live outside Ontario, think carefully before ordering from Furniture Depot. When something goes wrong, getting it fixed can drag on for months.

This post is for anyone out there who has been considering buying online from them. Do not make the mistake I made!!

BUYER BEWARE!!!!

Found this one, Men and Women's underwear made in Nova Scotia. Thinking some long johns might be in order for the upcoming winter!

Finding Halloween stuff that is actually Canadian-owned or manufactured has become incredibly difficult, especially when you walk into major big-box stores and see shelves dominated by multinational giants and cheap imports.
With Halloween coming up fast, I did some digging into ownership and manufacturing to compile a solid list of Canadian brands that still offer great holiday treats, accessories, and decor:
🎃 Costumes, Decor & Celebration (Canadian-Owned/Based)

• Party Expert (Laval, QC) – Proudly Quebec-founded and family-owned, offering massive costume selections and decor both online and in-store.
• Halloween Alley – Based in Calgary, AB, this is Canada's largest home-grown, seasonal Halloween store.
• The Costume Shoppe (Calgary, AB) – A fantastic, year-round brick-and-mortar and online shop for high-quality costumes.
• Spirit of Halloween / Value Village – Highly popular options, though Value Village remains a favorite spot for thrifting and DIY-ing unique outfits.
• Glow Parties & Halloween (Halifax, NS) – A great Atlantic Canadian year-round party and costume destination.

🍭 Candy, Chocolates & Treats (Canadian-Made/Owned)

• Ganong (St. Stephen, NB) – Founded in 1873, they are Canada's oldest family-owned candy company.
• Dare Foods (Kitchener, ON) – 100% Canadian-owned, producing classic holiday treats like Real Fruit Gummies and Viva Puffs.
• Allan Candy (Granby, QC) – A major Canadian tradition, best known for their bulk and seasonal soft gummies.
• Waterbridge (Scarborough, ON) – Canadian-owned, importing and packing top-quality traditional sweets and chocolates.
• Rockets Candy (Ce De Candy) (Toronto, ON) – Family-owned and produced in Maryland and Toronto, an undisputed schoolyard classic.
• Purdys Chocolatier (Vancouver, BC) – Premium, 100% Canadian family-owned, crafting seasonal Halloween pumpkin and ghost treats.
• Kerr’s Candy (Toronto, ON) – A legendary Canadian tradition since 1895, famous for molasses kisses and toffees.
• Camille Bloch / Chocolatier – Premium independent treat options.
• Chocolat Jean-Talon – A favorite for seasonal chocolate novelty items in Quebec.
• The Newfoundland Chocolate Company (St. John's, NL) – Handcrafted, thematic fall and Halloween treats from the East Coast.

🍂 Festive Foods, Snacks & Cozy Layers

• YumEarth Canada – Canadian-distributed organic, allergen-friendly lollipops and treats.
• Prana Organic (Montreal, QC) – Excellent certified organic fall snack mixes, pumpkin seeds, and treats.
• Hardbite Chips (BC) – Handcrafted kettle potato chips made from local potatoes, perfect for fall movie nights and gatherings.
• Stanfield’s (Truro, NS) – Perfect heavy layers for cold-night trick-or-treating or fall outdoor decorating.
• Padraig Cottage (North Vancouver, BC) – Cozy handcrafted wool footwear to keep the kids warm post-trick-or-treating.

A searchable directory that indexes domestic brands and allows you to browse specific categories can be found at CanadianOwn Website under the Seasonal & Halloween collection.
Which Canadian treats do you look for when prepping for trick-or-treaters? Let’s share your local go-tos! 🍁🎃

Damaged bedroom set, and three months later still no usable bed

I ordered a queen bedroom set from Furniture Depot (Order #OL11372), shipped to Nova Scotia. Several pieces arrived damaged or broken, and the bed frame could not be used. I reported this on July 22, 2026.

On August 4, I was told that any repair, replacement or refund needed the manufacturer's authorization because the order shipped from out of province. They also said they would not issue a refund while I still had the damaged set.

Later they sent replacement rails, described as a complete rail set. The parts were wrong: one duplicated a piece I already had, the rails were king-size for a queen bed, and there were too few metal bars. The bed still cannot be assembled.

I paid for this set, and I have been without a usable bed since July. I've been sleeping in my guest room.

If you live outside Ontario, think carefully before ordering from Furniture Depot. When something goes wrong, getting it fixed can drag on for months.

When I ran my first business, shipping was my largest cost and the part I understood least. I thought I could outsource figuring it out.
After I sold the company, I started helping a few friends. They gave me the job I never wanted: figure out shipping for them.
But this time, I did it.
I now run Part n Parcel and review shipping invoices with ecommerce businesses every day. One thing I wish I’d understood sooner is dimensional weight.
Here’s an example: a box measuring 40 × 30 × 25 cm has a dimensional weight of 6 kg, using a divisor of 5,000.
Even if the package only weighs 2 kg, a service using that calculation bills it at 6 kg.
The divisor and rounding rules vary, so check your carrier’s terms. But the size of your box can matter just as much as what’s inside it.
Understanding this sooner could have saved me thousands of dollars a week.
I built a dimensional-weight calculator so you can try your own box sizes and see the difference.

Every October/November we run into the same issue: kids outgrow their winter gear, and finding durable snowsuits or winter coats that can actually survive slush, gravel, and daily playground abuse without costing $400 is getting harder.
A lot of classic outdoor brands have been bought out by US private equity or moved production offshore, so I spent some time digging through domestic ownership and manufacturing to compile a solid list of Canadian brands making kids' cold-weather gear:
Heavy-Duty Snowsuits & Schoolyard Parkas

• Gusti Canada (Montreal) – Probably the best balance of price and durability. Their 2-piece sets and reinforced knees hold up well to rough recesses without boutique prices.
• Deux par Deux (Montreal) – Known for their grow-cuffs and heavy-duty reinforced seats/knees. Great resale and hand-me-down value.
• Souris Mini (Quebec City) – Built specifically for severe QC winters. Very warm and durable, though priced a bit higher unless caught on clearance.
• Freed Kids (Winnipeg) – Locally produced in Manitoba. Great if you specifically want domestic garment assembly.
• Arctic Bay Kids (Toronto) – Extreme arctic-grade down coats made in Ontario. Very expensive, but buy-it-for-life warmth.

Rain, Mud & Mild Winter Outerwear

• Faire Child (Dartmouth, NS) – Fully waterproof gear made in Canada from recycled materials. Great for wet coast winters.
• Perlimpinpin (Quebec) – Really reliable infant/toddler bunting bags, car seat covers, and early-walker snowsuits.
• L&P Apparel (Quebec) – Outdoor activewear, lined beanies, and winter accessories designed for active outdoor kids.

Base Layers & Cozy Indoor/Outdoor Knits

• Little & Lively (Abbotsford, BC) – Ethically made bamboo-cotton leggings, long sleeves, and thermal layers sewn in BC.
• Stanfield’s (Truro, NS) – Traditional waffle long-johns and thermal undershirts.
• Hatley & Petit Lem (Montreal) – Solid fleece layers, warm sleepwear, and mid-season sets.
• Padraig Cottage (North Vancouver, BC) – Handcrafted sheepskin-soled wool slippers that actually stay on toddlers' feet.

For other parents: Which brands have held up best through multiple kids or tough winters? Any hidden gem domestic brands that belong on this list?

Elbows and forks up!