Does IKEA allow dogs? Are they pet friendly? [Full Guide]
If you have a dog, you might decide to take it shopping at one of the 50 different IKEA stores in the US.
But does IKEA really allow dogs in the store? Are they pet friendly? All your questions answered!
Does IKEA allow dogs?
IKEA allows dogs in the store, but only if they are service dogs. This complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Dogs, other pets or emotional support animals are not allowed in the store. However, you can leave your dog in designated dog parking spaces outside some IKEA stores.
Want to know more? Read on to find out exactly why IKEA doesn’t allow pets — and which IKEA stores are known for breaking the rules.
Are pets allowed at IKEA?
No, IKEA is not pet friendly. As such, no pets of any kind are allowed in the store – although some shoppers have reported exceptions to this rule, which you can read about below.
While IKEA’s no-pets policy isn’t mentioned on the website, customers on Yelp clarified by calling the company.
After verification, IKEA stores in the United States only allow service dogs to accompany customers in the store.
Therefore, you are not allowed to shop with pet dogs, cats, birds or other animals.
This is similar to the policy adopted by other supermarkets and warehouse stores such as Walmart and Costco.
All of these stores are animal-free in accordance with the Food Service Regulations of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
While dogs are officially not allowed at IKEA, some stores are breaking the rules…
IKEA’s no-dog policy doesn’t appear to be enforced equally across all locations.
Additionally, many shoppers have reported seeing customers with dogs at their local IKEA store!
Dog owners may find some comfort in this. However, if you wish to take your dog to IKEA, remember that the official policy is that no pets are allowed. Many stores will strictly enforce these rules.
Why doesn’t IKEA allow pets?
IKEA does not allow pets as they want all customers to enjoy the shopping experience, including those who are afraid of animals or have hair allergies.
Therefore, to ensure that every customer feels comfortable in the store, pets are generally prohibited.
There are also health and safety reasons involved. Since IKEA stores serve food in their in-store restaurants, dogs and other animals are not allowed.
This complies with FDA’s food service regulations, which state that live animals are not allowed in any establishment that sells or serves food.
The concern is that untrained animals could introduce dust, drool or other unsanitary substances into stores and contaminate food and other products.
Does IKEA allow service animals?
While you can’t bring pets into IKEA, you can bring service animals!
Service animals are animals that have been specially trained to work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
The tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the owner’s disability.
Exceptions to the “no dogs allowed” rule are approved by ADA guidelines, which recognize the important role service animals play in the lives of people with disabilities.
Do IKEA allow all service animals?
In general, yes, all service dogs and other service animals are allowed in IKEA stores. However, certain rules and restrictions do apply.
For example, owners and their service animals may be asked to leave if the animal is destructive and off-leash.
Additionally, under the ADA, IKEA employees have the right to ask a customer if their animal is actually a service animal.
They are also legally allowed to ask about the function or task the animal was trained to perform.
However, no questions are allowed outside of these two lines of inquiry, including asking to see proof of disability.
Does IKEA allow emotional support animals?
Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA.
This is because they are trained to provide therapeutic benefits to people with mental or mental disorders. They perform actual tasks differently than service animals.
So, no, emotional support animals are not allowed to accompany their owners into IKEA stores.
Can you leave your dog outside IKEA?
Just because you can’t bring your dog into an IKEA store, that doesn’t mean they can’t wait outside with you!
Some IKEA stores have installed dedicated dog parking spaces outside the front door. These are basically small patches of artificial turf with poles that you attach your dog’s leash to.
They provide shade from the sun and rain, and may have water bowls and kennels, depending on location.
To find out if your nearest IKEA store offers dog parking, you can call Customer Service at 1-888-888-4532. Alternatively, use the online locator tool to find your local IKEA and get in touch to see if they offer the service.
To learn more, you can also review our guides on Walmart Dog Policy, Walgreens Dog Policy, Target Dog Policy, and Costco Dog Policy.
in conclusion
Service dogs and other service animals are legally allowed in IKEA stores. Service animals are defined as animals that perform specific tasks for people with disabilities.
To determine whether a customer’s animal is really a service animal, IKEA employees may ask specific tasks that the animal performs.
Pets such as dogs, cats and birds, as well as emotional support animals are not allowed in IKEA. This has to do with health and safety laws that apply to food service establishments as well as customer satisfaction issues.
For customers who wish to bring their dogs to IKEA, some locations offer dog parking outside the store entrance. Contact your nearest IKEA store for more information.
