Does Kroger Allow Dogs? 2026 Update & FAQ

As a pet parent, you hate leaving your dog alone when shopping for groceries. Yet, in most areas, pets aren’t allowed in places that serve food, whether in a restaurant or a grocery store. It is a sanitation issue and is regulated by the FDA. While we all want to take our pets with us, taking them into the grocery store is unsanitary, so it's best to refrain from doing so.

No, Kroger doesn’t allow dogs in its stores, but it’s a bit more complicated than that when it comes to service dogs. We’ll discuss which animals are allowed in Kroger and more below.

Is Kroger Pet-Friendly?

No, Kroger grocery stores are not pet-friendly. Pets of any kind are not allowed inside Kroger because they sell food and must follow FDA regulations. If you’ve seen people in Kroger with their dogs, it’s for another reason, which we’ll go into in the sections below.

Does Kroger Allow Dogs in Their Stores?

Kroger does not allow dogs in the store, except for service dogs. All service dogs are allowed in grocery stores, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The dog must be well-trained and well-behaved to be allowed in Kroger. You may be asked to prove that your dog is a service animal.

What Dogs Are Not Allowed in Kroger?

Dogs that are not registered service animals are not allowed in Kroger, including emotional support animals.

What Is the Pet Policy for Kroger?

Kroger doesn’t have an official pet policy, only the policy set forth by the FDA. The grocery chain complies with local, state, and federal laws and guidelines. Kroger's policy is not to allow any dogs or other pets in their stores unless the dog is a registered service animal. Registered service animals are allowed to be anywhere their owners are, whether it’s a park, a grocery store, a restaurant, or any other retail chain.

Sadly, Kroger does not allow emotional support or companion animals in their stores either. Compliance with this part of the policy is determined by each store’s manager.

Does the Pet Policy Vary by Location?

There have been cases of emotional support and companion animals being allowed in Kroger stores. However, it is illegal on a federal level to take a dog that isn’t a service dog into a grocery store, so it’s best to avoid trouble for you and the store by leaving your pet at home when you’re grocery shopping.

Why Are Dogs Not Allowed in Kroger?

As previously mentioned, dogs that aren’t service dogs are not allowed in Kroger because of FDA regulations. Dogs can carry bacteria and diseases that can be transmitted to humans, especially if the bacteria get into the food supply.

Dogs shedding in a grocery store is also unsanitary since the fur can end up in the food customers buy to take home and feed their families.

Dogs can also be rowdy, and some are destructive, which puts property owners and customers at risk. While this policy might be inconvenient for pet owners, the rules are in place to keep everyone healthy and safe and should be followed.

What Are the Rules for Service Dogs in Kroger?

Even for service dogs, there are rules that need to be followed.

• The owner of the dog must have it under control at all times.
• The dog must be on a leash or harness at all times unless it will hinder the dog from helping its owner due to its disability.
• The dog must be well-behaved at all times, and you will be asked to leave the store if the dog is out of control or doesn’t listen.

Final Thoughts

Kroger does not allow any type of pets, including dogs, into its stores so that it is compliant with FDA regulations. However, it does allow service dogs in accordance with the American Disabilities Act. However, a manager or employee can request proof that your dog is a registered service dog before they allow it into the store.

If your service dog does not behave well, the employee can make the dog leave the store and provide you with an assistant to help with the rest of your shopping.

• Related Read: Does Five Below Allow Dogs?

Featured Image Credit: Savicic, Shutterstock