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Does Lowe’s Allow Dogs? 2024 Pet Policy & Exclusions

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

dog in shopping cart

If you’ve spent any time in a Lowe’s hardware store, you’ve probably noticed people inside walking around with their dogs in tow. It looks like a great way to spend time with your best friend, but does Lowe’s allow dogs?

As it turns out, yes, Lowe’s does allow dogs, but with a few caveats.

Below, we’ll walk you through exactly what you need to know before you take your dog shopping in Lowe’s, so you can both have an enjoyable trip (and so neither one of you has to suffer the indignity of getting kicked out of a hardware store).

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Does Lowe’s Allow Dogs?

Lowe’s official policy is that it only allows service animals inside its stores.

There are no certifications for service dogs, and service dogs are not required to wear vests, ID tags, or special harnesses1. Lowe’s employees may ask the following two questions when entering the store:

  • Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
  • What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

These are the only questions an employee may ask, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act2.

Lowe’s does not accept any responsibility for the dog’s behavior while in the store, so you’re on the hook for anything they do. If they bite someone or tear up a roll of insulation, you’ll be the one who pays, not Lowe’s (at least in theory).

You’re also expected to clean up after your dog if they go potty in Lowe’s. This includes wiping up pee, so you’d best be sure that your dog won’t run around marking everything in sight.

Dachshund outside store pet parking
Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock

What Happens if My Dog Misbehaves While Inside Lowe’s?

If your dog can’t be well-behaved, then you’ll likely be asked to leave by store management. It’s not clear just how much bad behavior they’ll tolerate, and that answer probably varies depending on the managers in question.

However, if your dog does something truly bad—like biting someone—then the police may be called and you could be held liable for damages.

It’s unclear as to whether Lowe’s could also be held liable in such a situation, and the answer probably depends on the laws in that specific jurisdiction.

Lowe’s was sued in 2014 after a leashed Akita attacked a 3-year-old child, causing the boy to receive over 50 stitches as a result. The dog’s owner was charged with felony negligence and Lowe’s was slapped with a $25,000 lawsuit by the boy’s family.

We don’t know the results of that lawsuit, but however it ended up, it’s clear that it has not discouraged Lowe’s from continuing to allow dogs into its stores.

are dogs allowed in Lowe's
Image credit: aerogondo2, Shutterstock

What Other Chain Stores Allow Dogs?

While Lowe’s has a famously dog-friendly policy, it’s far from the only store that lets customers bring their pooches along to shop.

Below, we’ve rounded up a few of the most notable chains that allow dogs, as well as a quick summary of their pet policy.

  • Petco: It’s no surprise that this giant pet store would allow dogs, especially since its stores also offer grooming services. Petco requires that animals be leashed or harnessed and under their owner’s control at all times.
  • Home Depot: Like Lowe’s, there’s a bit of a gulf between what’s technically allowed and what’s actually allowed. In most cases, though, Home Depot will let you bring in a well-behaved, leashed animal.
  • Tractor Supply Co.: Tractor Supply Co. actually encourages customers to bring their dogs in, provided that they’re well-behaved and restrained. The last thing it wants is for people to leave their dogs in their hot cars while they shop.
  • The Apple Store: Most Apple Stores allow leashed dogs, although they can become so crowded that your dog may not feel comfortable inside. Also, keep in mind that if the store is located inside a mall, your dog may not be allowed to enter the mall itself.
  • LUSH Cosmetics: LUSH is renowned for its cruelty-free practices, and that extends to its non-discriminatory entrance policy. Your dog is welcome so long as they stay on leash and behave themselves.
  • Nordstrom: You don’t have to leave your (well-behaved, leashed) dog behind while scratching your fashion itch. This company is so dog-friendly, in fact, that there’s a famous #DogsOfNordstrom tag on Instagram.

This list is far from comprehensive, and there are several other major dog-friendly chains. However, keep in mind that all of these companies require your dog to mind their manners; there’s not a store in the world that won’t kick you out if your dog refuses to straighten up and fly right.

dogs in a mall_
Image credit: heychli, Shutterstock

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In Conclusion

Of course, just because you can take your dog into places like Lowe’s doesn’t mean that you should. Make sure your dog is well-behaved and trustworthy before taking them out in public like that, as it’s unfair to the dog to place them in a scary, unfamiliar situation while expecting model behavior.

If you’re confident that your pup is up to the task, though, feel free to have them tag along the next time you have a big home improvement project. Who knows — maybe they’ll stop chewing up the molding if you show them how expensive it is to replace?

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Featured Image Credit: Makruha_Konstantin, Shutterstock

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