Bringing your dog along to your favorite restaurant is fun, but it can also be a huge subject of debate. Many worry about the potential health impacts of dogs around food. Additionally, with rising numbers of people faking their dog’s service animal abilities just to eat out with them, some restaurants are inherently suspicious of pet owners’ motives. But, the FDA has officially changed guidance for restaurants in order to allow dogs to eat outdoors.
FDA says your dog can join you for outdoor dining
In an update to the 2022 FDA Food Code, the FDA stated that its health rules “allow for pet dogs in outdoor dining areas, where approved.” This does not change all rules regarding dogs and outdoor dining. Dogs still aren’t allowed indoors, or anywhere where food is prepared. (This rule does not apply to registered service dogs.)
According to the FDA’s rules, if a restaurant opens its doors to dogs, it must do so for all breeds. They aren’t allowed to welcome in a Labrador but decline your Pit Bull’s attendance.
However, this doesn’t mean your dog is welcome everywhere. Restaurants are still able to choose whether or not they want to welcome dogs altogether into their establishment.
“This was FDA’s effort to suggest that there’s not a concern about overall food sanitation and safety if you have a pet dog in an outdoor area,” says Whitt Steineker, a food-and-beverage lawyer at the firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, of the new guidance. “This isn’t FDA saying that restaurants ‘must’ do something or that they ‘cannot’ do something, because it still is the restaurant’s decision.”
Dining outdoors with your dog
If you do plan to bring your dog to a restaurant, be sure they’ll be a good representative of dog foodies! Brush up on basic commands before visiting a restaurant with your dog. You may want to groom them so they look their best. For reactive or anxious dogs, restaurants can be overwhelming, so consider a different activity for these pups. Hyperactive puppies may also be disruptive to other diners, so be sure you can handle their energy while you eat!
