Can You Bring Cats In Stores – Pet Policies & More

Locating a cat-friendly retail establishment is a challenge for many cat parents if they want their feline friends to accompany them while completing the regular chores. This often leads to a question in cat owners: can you bring cats in stores? 

In most cases, you cannot bring cats into stores. Municipal health rules prohibit non-service animals from being present in grocery stores, restaurants, and other food-related workplaces. However, there are some pet-friendly stores where you can bring your cat.

Go on to read this blog to know more about if you can take your cat to the supermarket, what stores allow cats, how to find a cat-friendly business around you, and a lot more.

Can I Take My Cat to the Supermarket

Taking your cat inside to see if they are accepted is the best way to determine if it is allowed inside the supermarket. You and your cat will be embraced most of the time, if not all of the time.   

A “No Pets” sign clearly signals that the doors are locked for your cat. If there is no sign, you can give the establishment the benefit of the doubt and take advantage of the opportunity to make an impact in the community by visiting the supermarket with your cat.

Motivated by the trend towards pet inclusiveness in all parts of modern life, many local pet organizations have started to praise local companies for being pet-friendly. This type of behavior helps to de-stigmatize pet shopping trips to stores. Nonetheless, some local shops will never allow pets, and several major retail franchises will never allow pets.

Can I Take My Cat to Walmart or Target

Walmart has a no-pet policy, which means that you cannot take your cat to Walmart with you. However, Walmart does allow the entry of service animals, like dogs, as per the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

Apart from this, these giant retailers have also adopted the “No-Pet Policy,” keeping into consideration public safety. After all, while your furry friend may be all friendly and docile with you, you can never vouch for their behavior towards other strangers.

No company would ever want to scare off its customers by the presence of pets.

What Stores Allow Cats

Here are a few shops where you may take your pet shopping with you.

Bass Pro Shops

Most Bass Pro Shops invite customers to bring their cats with them on their shopping trips. Those that don’t usually do so are merely following the local regulations. 

Pottery Barn

Many people are astonished to find that some Pottery Barn stores allow pets. But first, a word of caution. It could be a good idea to keep your cat with you while you shop. Consider how much you’d have to spend on all the broken stuff in the case of an accident!

Lowe’s Home Improvement Store

Lowe’s home improvement stores are usually cat-friendly. You can expect the staff to be highly polite and loving towards your feline friend.  

Tractor Supply Store

Tractor Supply Store is another company that invites pet owners to carry their animals with them. They also offer veterinary services for vaccinations on weekends, so check out your local store’s calendar. 

Nordstrom’s

There’s no greater time to organize a shopping visit to Nordstrom’s if you and your cat consider yourselves fashionistas. This is yet another establishment that many people are unaware is pet-friendly.

Are Cats Allowed in Grocery Stores  

Since grocery stores usually deal with food items, it is unlikely that cats would be allowed in grocery stores. This is usually in accordance with the regulations and the laws in the specific region; While service animals are allowed, you may have to keep your cat at home while you make a quick trip to the grocery store.

It is always a best practice to call up the store and ask if you can bring your cat along if necessary. 

What to Do if a Store You Need to Visit Has a No-Pets Policy

It’s essential to follow animal policies, and the easiest way to do so is to contact the established ahead before visiting a place to verify if they allow cats. Shop owners may have various reasons for their pet policies, such as Home Depot’s dog bite event or Starbucks’s sanitary concerns.

You can also send a request letter to a particular establishment to let your cat come along with you in case your cat can’t stay alone at home. Some companies are considerate enough to let your cat accompany you, while some may have personal reasons to deny your request; it is best to try out all possibilities. 

Things to Consider

Before bringing your cat into any store, you should consider the following:

Why Do People Bring Dogs to a Store But Not Cats

The Americans with Disabilities Act contains particular guidelines for service animals that can accompany a disabled person wherever they go. Dogs and tiny horses are welcome at such places. Cats aren’t authorized anyplace in the law. Therefore they won’t be accepted in stores or restaurants.

Also, leashes or collars irritate cats, and they are more anxious in stores than dogs.

Other Indoor Places Where You Can Take Your Cat

If your friends are pleased for your cat to visit, their homes are excellent places for your cat to get his or her exploration fix. Please remember, though, that your feline is not in your house, something they are fully aware of. You may feel calmer at a friend’s house than you would outside, but your cat is unlikely to feel the same way.

Also, double-check with your pals to see if they are permitted to have pets in their homes (especially if they are leasing) since you don’t want them to be fined.

Breweries that offer drinks may be pet-friendly, making it a fantastic spot to bring a people-loving cat while also allowing you to enjoy a drink.

You can also bring your cat to pet-friendly book stores and home improvement stores.