25 February 2026

How to Evolve Growlithe into Arcanine in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen

By newsgame

Growlithe is one of the most iconic Fire-type Pokemon available in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, and its evolution, Arcanine, is one of the strongest Pokemon among the original 151 and a worthy addition to any Elite Four team.

However, Growlithe only evolves into Arcanine using an evolution stone, an item that can only be obtained from a specific shop in the game. This guide covers where you can find Growlithe as well as the location of the evolution stone required to evolve it into Arcanine.

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How to Get Growlithe in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

In Pokemon FireRed, Growlithe can be found on Routes 7 and 8, and inside the Pokemon Mansion.

Growlithe is a Pokemon FireRed version exclusive, which means it cannot be found in Pokemon LeafGreen as a wild encounter. Vulpix is the equivalent version exclusive in LeafGreen.

Route 7, 8

Pokemon	Location	Level	Encounter Rate
Growlithe	Route 8	Lv. 15-18	20%
Growlithe	Route 7	Lv. 18-20	10%

Route 8 can be found west of Lavender Town and east of Saffron City. You’ll arrive here for the first time through Lavendar Town, after going through the Rock Tunnel and Route 10. Route 7 can be found west of Saffron City, and east of Celadon City. You can get here by taking the Underground Path at the end of Route 8.

It is better to get Growlithe from Route 7, as you’ll be able to catch a higher level one there.

Pokemon Mansion

Pokemon	Location	Level	Encounter Rate
Growlithe	Pokemon Mansion	Lv. 30-32	15%

Pokemon Mansion can be found on Cinnabar Island, south of Pallet Town. To get here, use HM03 Surf on the water south of Pallet Town and continue southward until you reach a large island. The Pokemon Mansion will be the large building west of the Gym.

How to Evolve Growlithe into Arcanine in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

Growlithe evolves into Arcanine by using a Fire Stone in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. You can purchase a Fire Stone at the Celadon Department Store 4F evolution stone shop for 2,100 Poke Dollars. Conveniently, the first time you reach Celadon City will be by going through Route 8 and Route 7, via the Underground Path.

You can find a free Eevee in Celadon City, another Pokemon that you can use a Fire Stone on. Eevee evolves into Flareon by using this item.

The only move Arcanine learns via level up in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen is Extreme Speed (at Level 49). To learn other moves, you’ll either need to go to the Move Relearner on Two Island in the Sevii Islands or use TMs.