Is McDonald’s Dog Friendly? Are Dogs Allowed In?
If you have ever wondered, “are dogs allowed in McDonalds? The answer is yes and no. Dogs are allowed into their restaurants, but they have to be a service dog.
There are also specific areas that permit service dogs, so be sure to ask when you visit one of their restaurants.
Official Dog Policy for McDonald’s
McDonald’s does permit service animals in their restaurants as stated in their policy:
“We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals.”
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An animal is considered a service animal if “it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to disability.”
“Autism service dogs, mobility animals, and seizure alert animals” are all considered to be service animals.
Or, you may need to provide “a letter from a physician or nurse verifying that the animal is required for reasons relating to disability.”
“Service Animals must be in the care and control of the individual at all times.”
The McDonald’s animal policy also states that “People with disabilities are allowed to use their Service Animals in the parts of our restaurants that are open to the public or to third parties unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law from the restaurants.”
Positive Reviews From Customers Who Were Happy With McDonald’s Dog Policy
“I just visited a McDonald’s here in southern California.
I for one am a dog lover and I do like the fact that guide dogs are welcome into these stores” – Jay Morgan, Facebook.
Customers Who Were Unhappy With McDonald’s Dog Policy
Here is a comment from the McDonald’s Facebook page by Susan Nonis: “It is very obvious that you are not prepared to have a customer with a guide dog!
Mac, I think your manager should be disciplined instead of the staff. It is because you have not trained or prepared for customers as such…
There is no excuse for such a mistake!” It was written in response to a McDonald’s employee who reprimanded a customer who entered a McDonald’s restaurant with a guide dog.
Unfortunately, the employee didn’t realize that it was a service dog and told the customer that dogs were not allowed into the store.
Does McDonalds’ Dog Policy Vary By Location?
McDonald’s has a pretty strict dog policy across the board, as specified in their pet policy.
The Causeway Point location allows service dogs however; you could always ask the manager at the restaurant you are dining at, just to be sure.
You want to enjoy your meal and not have to worry about whether or not you will be reprimanded for bringing your dog into the restaurant. As times change, policies are often updated to keep up with the current times, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Be sure to ask the manager since other employees don’t always know the policies as well.
Tips For Going to McDonald’s With A Dog
If you are going to enjoy a meal in a McDonald’s restaurant, be sure to make it clear that your dog is a service dog to avoid any confrontation.
Have your dog wear a clearly marked “Service Dog” plaque or provide any other documentation needed to prove that your dog is a service dog.
Ask staff about their designated areas that permit guide dogs as well. Keep in mind that only service dogs are permitted into the restaurant, but you could ask if there are any outdoor dining tables that permit dogs.
Of course, you could always grab a to-go meal for yourself and your pooch and enjoy it picnic-style at a nearby park.
When dining in, be sure that your dog has had a potty break to avoid any accidents, especially if your dog has an accident when it is nervous or anxious around new people.
You should also avoid grabbing a meal when it is very crowded such as at lunchtime or on the weekend.
Not Sharing is Caring
You love your furry companion, and you probably share almost everything with your dog, but sometimes it’s best not to be too generous, especially when eating out.
Although McDonald’s does not currently offer a pet-friendly menu, there are a few options to choose from that would make a somewhat healthy meal or snack for your favorite pooch.
As a rule of thumb, be sure to limit your dog’s caloric intake to about 25 calories per pound daily. Keep this in mind when choosing items off the menu.
Treats should be limited to about 10% of their daily food allowance. If you want to share a burger with your dog, just stick to the patty and avoid feeding your dog the other processed parts of the burger, such as the cheese.
Keep in mind that fast food tends to be high in salt and calories. Therefore, it should only be an occasional treat and not a daily meal.
This way, it isn’t likely to cause any health or weight issues. Fast food does not offer much nutritional value, either, so if your dog doesn’t eat much in a day, you will want them to fill up on good, nutritional dog chow instead, but a few fries won’t hurt.
Final Thoughts
So, if you are wondering, “are dogs allowed in McDonalds?” Just remember that McDonald’s does not permit dogs unless they are service or guide dogs.
They also only permit service dogs into certain restaurant areas, so be sure to ask where those are when dining in.
If your dog is not a guide or service dog, you could always enjoy your meal outside of the restaurant if they have an outdoor dining area.
It is always best to know beforehand whether or not your dog will be permitted into a restaurant, so you may want to call the restaurant you plan to visit ahead of time.
