Are Dogs Allowed In Walmart In 2022? (Not So Pet Friendly…)

Walmart stocks a variety of affordable products, such as everything that you need to live a normal day. This includes items for your furrier family members, such as dog food and leashes.

So, Walmart is a great place to stock up on items for your dog, but are dogs allowed in Walmart? These are the results of my research after having a quick look at Walmart’s policy.

Are Dogs Allowed In Walmart In 2022?

Unfortunately, dogs and other pets (cats, birds, rabbits, etc.) Walmart’s 2022 store policy says that dogs and all other pets (cats, birds, rabbits etc.) are prohibited from entering Walmart. However, as per the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, service animals (not including emotional support dogs) can accompany their disabled owners into Walmart.

How do you allow your dogs to go into Walmart without being tainted?

Continue reading to learn more about Walmart’s policy regarding dogs being allowed in stores.

Walmart does not allow dogs.

Walmart doesn’t allow dogs and other pets (cats, birds) due to health and safety issues.

The Food And Drug Administration’s food service codes (FDA) state that pets cannot be allowed in areas where food is being prepared.

According to FDA, putting an animal in a Walmart store is not sanitary.

Walmart does not allow dogs to enter the store for other reasons. There are many reasons why dogs cannot be allowed in Walmart. Customers may have allergies, fear dogs, or have problems with fleas.

Why Are Service Dogs Allowed In Walmart?

Walmart allows service dogs in-store because the company recognizes the important role they have to play in the lives of many vulnerable people, who may need the assistance of their service dogs to perform important day-to-day tasks.

Service dogs also tend to behave better than many people’s pets and be more trainable. It is safer to have them inside than to let all the dogs into the store.

What Is a Service dog?

Walmart applies ADA guidelines for defining a “service dog”, which is a dog that can be trained to assist disabled people. The tasks that each dog performs must be directly related to its owner’s disability or disabilities to be classed as a service animal.

Are All Service Dogs Allowed In Walmart?

Yes! According to both the ADA (FDA), all service dogs are permitted in Walmart. However, there are some caveats.

For example, if the service dog is considered to be a threat to health and safety in-store, a Walmart employee or manager has the right to ask the owner and their animal to leave and to exclude them from the store indefinitely.

Can Walmart Ask If Your Dog Is A Service Dog?

Under the ADA, Walmart employees and managers are within their rights to ask someone who brings a dog into the store with them whether or not it is a service dog.

These can be used to inquire about specific functions or tasks performed by the dog. Managers and employees cannot ask for documentation to prove disability.

Service dogs often wear brightly-colored dog tags, jackets and leashes. It makes it easier to identify whether a dog really is a service animal for staff or managers.

In states like California, such forms of identification can be legally required.

Do Service Dogs Have to Be In Walmart’s Shops?

You can bring your service dog with you into Walmart, but you have to make sure they’re well behaved! You must follow certain guidelines.

First, it is important that the dog’s owner be the one who controls the animal. The dog can not be left alone or allowed to bark. Baxter cannot be carried in a stroller or trolley around the shop.

FDA says service dogs aren’t allowed in certain areas that are used to prepare food. And, if a particular Walmart store or manager wants to designate other zones in the store as dog-free, they can.

Walmart allows emotional support dogs

Walmart will not permit emotional support animals to be used as service dogs. This has to do with the function that emotional support animals carry out for their owner.

Emotional support animals provide comfort to people struggling with mental health issues and help to minimize their symptoms.

While these animals will be registered by a licensed professional like service dogs are, the fact that they do not carry out practical day-to-day tasks that the owner needs help with means that they are not technically service animals.

Are Dogs Allowed In Any Grocery Stores?

FDA guidelines state that you can’t take your dog into any US grocery store unless it is a service animal.

However, your dog will have to be left behind at Target and Walmart. You can still take your dog to other shops.

Pet stores are (unsurprisingly) usually dog-friendly, as are some homeware stores, boutiques, and even the Apple Store.

You can bring your dog to many stores, even if they don’t sell or prepare food. Just keep an eye out for any “No Dog” signs before you head in.

Do You Allow Your Dog to Go Outside Walmart?

You can leave your dog outside if you need to visit Walmart or any other no-dog store. You should not leave your dog without a collar or leash for too long.

It’s impossible to predict how weather will affect your dog, or what other dogs might be walking past you. The best solution is to leave your dog at home if you want to shop at Walmart, unless, of course, your dog is a service animal.

Walmart has live fish, which might interest pet lovers. You can also read the Costco, Target, Dollar General, Walgreens, Walgreens, and Walgreens pet policies if you’re interested in visiting other stores.

Conclusion: Are Dogs Allowed In Walmart?

Walmart and other grocery stores allow dogs. However, service dogs can only accompany their owners in store, as the FDA/ADA have ruled that dogs are a danger to the health and safety of people, especially in areas where food is being prepared.

Take your service dog to Walmart. Be mindful that Walmart staff may question you as to what it is you require.

.Are Dogs Allowed In Walmart In 2022? (Not So Pet Friendly…)