How To Take Your Cat To A Restaurant With You

Wouldn’t it be great to have your cat tag along with you while you go out to eat? Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Many places, especially where food is served, will not allow pets inside, unless maybe if they are service animals. This is for reasons such as food safety, people with allergies, and pet safety. But what about if you sit outdoors? Some places do allow it, so try asking! However, it may be tricky to find some pet friendly or cat friendly places to grab a bite with your cat. If you want to try to take your cat to a restaurant with you, here are our tips to set both you and your cat up for success!

1. Call ahead to make sure they are cat friendly

Unfortunately, pet friendly does not always mean cats too. We have found this to be more true in terms of hotels and air b&bs than restaurants, but it never hurts to double check at restaurants too.

2. Know the restaurant’s pet rules

When you call ahead to ask if they are pet friendly, if they say yes, ask what their requirements are. Some may require vaccination tags, always on leash, kept in carrier, or something else. So make sure you can follow any of their rules too before you go.

3. Check the weather

When restaurants are pet-friendly, this typically means outdoor seating. Make sure you are prepared or dressed to sit outdoors. If it is going to be hot, be sure to have water, fans, or cooling devices for your cat to keep them from overheating. It also usually means your pet cannot go inside, but you can access the patio seating from outside. Do not go into the restaurant with your cat until you know if you are allowed or not.

4. Harness training

Going out to eat can be stressful. New place, lots of people, different noises and smells, and unfamiliar experiences. All of this can be extremely overwhelming for your cat. In order to keep them safe, you want to make sure you have the basics of training down and feel confident in them. Check out our articles on how to choose a harness and how to harness train.

5. Backpack training

Having your cat have a designated spot is extremely crucial. Allowing them to have a safe space in an unfamiliar territory can help ease some anxiety. You can even use a stroller too. Whatever it is that your cat usually feels comfortable in is what you should use. We have a post on how to backpack train your cat here if you need somewhere to start.

6. Ask for a quiet, secluded table

Most likely, the pet friendly area will be outdoors or on a patio, but in some restaurants it may be inside. Request a table in a quiet area of the restaurant or where you can easily keep your cat out of all the commotion if needed.

7. Be prepared to leave early

Your cat may get very nervous in a new setting, with lots of people and noises. You can try to keep them as calm as possible, but no trip is worth your cat freaking out. Always put their well-being first. When in doubt, if you have to pack up early, hopefully the restaurant will understand and help you out.

8. Stay calm

Cats can sense if you are nervous. If you are uncomfortable, so are they. Try to stay as calm as possible, even if things aren’t going well. Be sure to remove them from the situation if either you or they are not having a good experience.

9. Keep your cat away from others

Not everyone is a pet person. When you take your cat to a restaurant with you, you should be respectful of those around you. Not everyone is a pet person, and that is okay. They might not be happy with a cat walking around their feet, under their table, or even jumping in their lap. Try to keep your cat on leash and close enough to you that it can’t get too close to others.

10. Take your cat on an adventure first

This can help get their energy out. Doing this may allow them to rest more easily and just sleep while you are out.

Conclusion

When you take your cat to a restaurant, it may sound great, it can be a lot of work too. Just trying to find a restaurant can be difficult. And then when you get there, you have to make sure your cat is comfortable, well-behaved, and entertained if needed too. We definitely recommend starting with quick trips and working your way up! It can definitely make traveling easier if they are trained to sit/sleep at the table while you eat. So, it’s worth a shot! Call around, get some training and practice in, and see where it takes you! And remember, your cat’s comfort and safety ALWAYS comes first!