The United States has at least a hundred million households with dogs or cats. While some animals are needed for therapy or emotional support (ESA), others may need to be left alone due to their clinginess or illness.
Many people treat their pets as family members. That feeling of family extends to bringing your pet everywhere you go.
So, are dogs allowed in Walmart?
Short answer: No, dogs are not allowed in Walmart unless they’re specifically certified as service animals per the American Disabilities Act (ADA) definition. There is an exception to Walmart’s dog policy. You can read the full policy below.
Are Dogs Allowed in Walmart?
Walmart doesn’t allow dogs unless the dog is a certified service animal as per the ADA. Walmart’s store policy states that service animals such as dogs, birds, rabbits, or cats can only be brought along by their owners who are disabled.
Walmart doesn’t allow pets in stores
Walmart doesn’t allow dogs and other pets in its stores mainly due to hygiene and safety concerns. Additionally, food service codes set by the FDA prohibit pets from eating in food preparation facilities, such as supermarkets, warehouse clubs, and restaurants.
Walmart does not allow pets to shop in its stores for the following reasons:
- In stores that sell food, it is dangerous and unsanitary to have animals.
- Pets can pass disease to humans and other pets.
- Food contamination
- Many consumers may be allergic to pet dander
- Many people, including children, may fear animals. Dogs that jump on people are a common example.
- Some dogs may not be comfortable walking on a leash, or are trained to walk calmly.
- Animals can cause havoc in the middle.
- Dog leashes can be caught between shoppers’ legs and moving carts or other types of store equipment.
- Not all pet owners have the same responsibility.
- Some dogs are aggressive toward strangers.
Walmart Allows Service Dogs In Stores
Walmart allows service dogs to enter stores when they are specially trained to help their owners. Blind people can be guided by a dog as they move through the aisles. Dogs that can smell the sweat of diabetics will alert them to elevated blood sugar levels. Other dogs can sense subtle cues like fainting or seizure.
People with mental disorders such as social anxiety disorder or those with limited mobility can be helped by service dogs. For those over 18,000,000 people with limited mobility from accidents and aging, for example, big dogs can lift objects off the top shelves.
What is considered a service dog in stores?
Walmart uses the ADA’s definitions of service dogs. Walmart has adopted the following definition of a service dog:
- Has been trained to assist a person with a disability. It’s someone whose physical or mental impairment significantly impacts their daily activities.
- Can perform specific tasks based on the needs of the disabled individual
- Can be psychiatric services dogs, which are animals who help people with learning and mental disabilities
- Are granted special rights and privileges according to the ADA rules
- It doesn’t matter if you are a professional trainer, certified or registered.
Get a service dog free of charge for anxiety.
Walmart Allows All Service Pets
Walmart does NOT allow service animals in its stores. The ADA rules state that service animals are only allowed to be owned by dogs of any breed. Are small dogs allowed at Walmart? As long as they’re service animals, yes.
Under certain circumstances, a supervisor or store manager could ask the customer and the animal to leave. If their presence causes significant harm to others they may also ban them for a time or permanently. Walmart employees could be injured if the dog bites one of their employees.
You might have a greater chance of being approved at a 24-hour retail store in the late hours.
Walmart will allow emotional support dogs in its stores
No, Walmart doesn’t allow emotional support dogs in its stores. Emotional support animals are companions and not aid, which is why they are different from service dogs. For example, an emotional support animal doesn’t need specific training to perform tasks. Anyone, including those with no diagnosed condition, can have an emotional support animal.
According to the ADA pets who are being used as animal support personnel have limited rights and access. For example, owners may fly with them, but they cannot enter places like restaurants, grocery stores, warehouse clubs, hotels, shopping centers, and planes.
Walmart: What can Walmart ask about your service dog?
Walmart is happy to allow service dogs, provided that the dog is registered as a service animal. However, due to recent incidents of abuse against service animal policies, some stores may question the qualification of your pet.
According to ADA the service dog owner can only be asked two legal questions by a store.
- Which tasks can the dog be trained to do?
- Is the disability causing the dog to be confined?
Stores can’t ask or demand proof that the owner is disabled, has a training certificate, or any other similar documentation to verify their answers. If the owner is not clear about the reason for the dog’s appearance, the store may ask questions.
Is Walmart Allowing Service Dogs to Be In-Training?
Walmart does allow service dogs that are in training. But, state laws can differ on what “in-training” means. In general, fully trained dogs enjoy the same rights or privileges as fully trained dogs. Some places might limit what animals can see in public.
A fully-trained animal, or an in-training service animal, should follow commands and accomplish tasks. They also need to learn how to housebreak and be vaccinated.
What Stores Allow Dogs?
There is a difference in stores that allow dogs from those that do not. Ikea, for example, allows ESA dogs but not regular pets in its stores.
Kroger and ALDI grocery stores allow dogs. Costco, Publix, Costco and Whole Foods are some examples. But they must be ESA canines. The FDA limits pets in a store that prepares and services food due to contamination.
Some stores will allow support dogs that are not emotionally oriented to enter. These top retailers are dog-friendly:
- Ace Hardware
- Apple Store
- AutoZone
- Barnes and Noble
- Bass Pro Shops
- Bath and Body Works
- Bed Bath Beyond
- Cabela’s
- CVS
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Dollar General
- Harbor Freight
- Jared – The Galleria for Jewelry
- Macy’s
- Marshalls
- Michael’s
- Old Navy
- Sephora
- TJ Maxx
- Lowe’s
- Home Depot
- Hobby Lobby
- Barnes and Noble
- Bloomingdale’s
- LUSH
- Nordstrom
- Pep Boys
- PetSmart
- Petco
- Pottery Barn
- Restoration Hardware
- Ross
- Sierra Trading Post
- The Gap
- Tractor Supply Co
- Urban Outfitters
- Victoria’s Secret
- Walgreens
Many of the stores we have listed don’t seem make any distinctions between emotional support or service dogs so long as they are well-behaved. However, policies are subject to change at any time.
Different locations might have different policies, depending on local laws. ESA dogs may be prohibited at Barnes and Nobles in your area, but they may be allowed at another Barnes and Noble in nearby cities. So check your local store pet policy before you visit.
What Stores Disallow Dogs in?
Most stores don’t permit dogs to walk around the store with their owners unless they are ESA pets. Due to FDA rules about food contamination, dogs are not allowed into grocery stores.
These retailers will not allow dogs unless your pet is ESA-certified.
- 711
- Best Buy
- Costco
- Grocery store
- Ikea
- Menard’s
- Sam’s Club
- Target
- Tiffany
- Trader Joe’s
Refer to our guide Target allows dogs in its stores.
Are Dogs Allowed In Walmart Summary
Walmart allows service dogs in its almost 4,800 retail locations. Walmart doesn’t allow emotional support dogs in all cases unless you have the approval of a manager or are following the local pet policy. They might say yes.
Even if you shop in a dog-friendly location that allows ESA animals to be kept, your pet’s behavior is still your responsibility. Be sure to keep your pet leashed, be attentive to its needs, clean up its mess and make sure it is well-behaved.
To pick up prescriptions, please see our Walmart Pharmacy Hours Guide.