It can be challenging to shop with your dog in tow, with most stores not allowing our four-legged friends inside due to health reasons. The good news is that there are a lot of stores that allow dogs and have more welcoming pet policies, so you can get some of your shopping done while your best furry friend gets to tag along.

Let’s check out the most dog-friendly stores you can take your dog down below, and what exactly their policies are.

The 24 Dog-Friendly Stores in the US

1. PetSmart

It’s only natural for a pet store to allow dogs, and PetSmart doesn’t disappoint. Every single one of their 1,650+ stores allows not just well-behaved dogs on a leash but cats, birds, and various other household pets with appropriate leashes or travel habitats.

2. Petco

Just like PetSmart, Petco welcomes all types of domestic pets in their 1,400+ stores across the US. All pets must be appropriately restrained, vaccinated, and on their best behavior when visiting this pet Mecca. Along with PetSmart, Petco makes the perfect afternoon trip with your best four-legged friend.

3. The Home Depot

The Home Depot has a long history as a dog-friendly home improvement chain, and that continues today as well. Unlike other stores, Home Depot’s dog policy can vary by location according to the store manager’s discretion, and some locations may turn your dog away at the door.

We recommend calling before setting out to visit your local store with your pooch.

4. Michael’s

As a craft store chain, Michael’s understands that our pets are very involved in our creative pursuits and often even serve as inspiration for our crafts. That’s why they’re happy to welcome all leashed and vaccinated pet dogs and cats on their best behavior.

5. Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is another wildly popular craft supply franchise that welcomes all our creative four-legged friends, canine and feline. There’s no exact policy written on their website, but most online sources indicate that Hobby Lobby stores are typically welcoming to pets. Some stores may not adhere to this unofficial policy, however, so beware.

6. Nordstrom

Known for their clothes, shoes, and jewelry, Nordstrom is one of the only luxury department store chains that welcome dogs in their stores. Of course, you’ll want to keep them on a short leash around all that expensive merchandise. Not only that, but dogs are relatively rare in these stores despite the welcoming pet policy, so it’s even more important for your furry friend to stay on their best behavior.

7. Harbor Freight

DIYers with dogs know they love following you around while you work or putter around the house, and they can join you in all Harbor Freight store locations, too. There’s usually even a limited selection of pet-related stuff, but that varies by location.

Make sure to have your dog go potty before leaving to prevent any accidents because you’d be responsible for cleaning them up.

8. Tractor Supply Co.

Tractor Supply Co. is friendly towards all well-behaved domestic critters, so you may see farm animals like goats or ducks while shopping for chicken feed or whatever else you’re picking up. It’s very important your pooch is well socialized before visiting a Tractor Supply Co. to avoid any unprompted aggression towards other store patrons’ pets.

9. T.J. Maxx

This casual clothing chain is technically not a dog-friendly store according to its corporate policy, but many individuals across the web report being welcomed. It’s really down to the store manager’s policy and how strict they are about enforcing it at their location, but we strongly suggest calling before packing Fido up to go shopping.

10. Bass Pro Shop

We’re sure you’ll be delighted to hear that your favorite four-legged fishing buddy can come with you to any Bass Pro Shop to pick up more tackle, a new rod, boating gear, or other outdoor supplies before your new outing. As with any store, some locations may not be dog-friendly if state or local law specifically prohibits it.

11. Ross

Owned by the same company as T.J. Maxx, Ross has the same official “no dogs inside” stance, but again, users online have reported taking their dogs to Ross with varying levels of success. We wouldn’t assume every store allows it, but it won’t hurt to make a phone call to confirm before departing.

12. Joann Fabrics

When it’s getting a little nippy outside, it might be time to stock up on crafting supplies to knit your favorite canine a nice warm sweater, and where better to shop than Joann Fabrics? They sell a lot of the same materials and stuff as Michael’s but with a larger selection of items in all budget ranges.

13. Pottery Barn

Chock full of furniture, decorations, and other household items, Pottery Barn is a worthwhile afternoon shopping destination that wholeheartedly welcomes dogs in all their locations. Our pooches will need to be on a leash and on their best behavior when visiting the store, and it’s especially important considering the fragility of some of the merchandise on offer.

14. Macy’s

You may not expect an iconic high-end department store like Macy’s to allow dogs inside, but they’re actually a very dog-friendly store! Macy’s doesn’t have an official policy one way or the other, but according to online reports, most locations let well-behaved dogs inside the store.

This may not apply to mall locations, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

15. Gap

Gap is one of the biggest retailers in the world and one of the best places to pick up a new pair of jeans with your dog at your side. While most people see Gap as a younger person brand, they sell clothes for all ages, as well as some other hygiene products, like soaps.

16. Old Navy

Surprisingly, Old Navy is actually owned by Gap and has an informal pet-friendly policy like Gap, too. While they’re not as huge as they used to be, Old Navy is still a solid place to go pick up some stylish and affordable clothes. As with other stores, Old Navy locations inside malls may not welcome dogs.

17. Cabela’s

What would a hunter be without their noble hound at their side? Cabela’s, like Bass Pros Shop, is a very welcoming store for dogs of all breeds and ages as long as they’re safely leashed up. Some locations may not allow dogs inside if state/local law specifically forbids it, so we’d give them a call to make sure first.

18. Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble is a booklover’s haven, but officially, your dog isn’t welcome at most locations. Store managers can bend this rule if they want, but it’s really up to their discretion. Like with other questionable stores, we recommend calling your nearby Barnes & Noble store to directly ask about their pet policy.

19. Victoria’s Secret

Maybe not the first spot you’d expect to be able to bring a dog, but Victoria’s Secret officially welcomes dogs at nearly all of its store locations except where mall locations prohibit dogs. These stores are a bit crowded and cramped, so smaller dogs would probably do best—carriers are another viable transport option.

20. Marshalls

Yet another possibility, Marshalls is the third clothing chain owned by the same company as T.J. Maxx and Ross. Similar to those two, Marshalls has an official no pets policy that some store managers are more lax about than others. You could try your luck calling your local Marshalls and asking, but it’s best not to assume.

21. Half Price Books

Half Price Books is the bookstore for dog owners who double as bookworms, and their mascot is even a dog! Leashed and purse dogs alike are welcome to roam the aisles with you in search of your next literary adventure in Half Price Books. Unlike Barnes & Noble, this chain will buy your old books from you and offer a variety of budget titles.

22. Ace Hardware

Hardware stores seem to get it as far as knowing we want our dogs to accompany us on all our crafty household pursuits, including picking up new tools from Ace Hardware. Notable exceptions to this policy are some select franchisees bearing the Ace name, who can set their own pet policies by store.

23. Ann Taylor

This relatively small women’s retailer is known for stylish workwear, and your dog is welcome to come help you pick out the perfect pair of pants on your next visit to Ann Taylor. Because this is a smaller chain, we’d call ahead before assuming the store won’t turn your dog away at the door.

24. Lush Cosmetics

One of the hottest cosmetics companies is also one of the most welcoming for our four-legged friends, and Lush Cosmetics has a very strict no-animal-testing policy that will help put you at ease shopping there. All of their products are certified vegan or vegetarian and are never tested on any animals.

Conclusion

Unfortunately for dog parents, stores don’t usually post a sign saying that pups are welcome inside, but the silver lining is that there are a lot of pet-friendly stores that are happy to let you bring your dog inside with you to shop.

From Bass Pro Shop to Macy’s to Half Price Books, there are pet-friendly stores of all kinds to maximize the time you can spend adventuring with your best furry friend.

See Also:

• Most Dog-Friendly States in America: All 50 Ranked (#1 Will Surprise You)
• What Grocery Stores Allow Dogs? 

Featured Image Credit: Peter Plashkin, Unsplash