Pet Etiquette: A Guide to A Pawsitive Café Experience with Your Beloved Dog or Cat
As people often mention, no home is complete without the soft pitter patter of paws. To many of us, pets form an integral part of the family that make life at home all the more warm, joyful and entertaining. But what if we told you that you could broaden your world—and your pet’s—by taking them outside beyond walks and visits to the pet shop, like to a café, for starters? Scheduling a brunch date with your feline friend or pooch doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let us walk you through it!
Preparing for Your Café Visit
A bit of preparation can make the outing more smooth and enjoyable for both you and your pet. By planning ahead on how to manage them around other patrons, pets, and drool-worthy food (because we know just how excited they can get), you can create a more comfortable and stress-free experience.
Choose a Pet-Friendly Café
Just like how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US bars animals inside restaurants, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) prohibits pets from entering food establishments, with the exception of pet cafés. This means that most cafés and restaurants can’t allow your pet inside besides the outdoor seating areas where your four-legged friends are welcome. Two Bakers has been approved for pet-friendly dining both indoors and outdoors, so you can savour a meal with your animal pal without flouting any rules.
Train Your Pet to Be Café-Ready
Getting your pet ready for café outings can take up to a few months in the making. Even if you’ve found a pet-friendly spot, that doesn’t mean your pet is free to run riot. For dogs, knowing basic commands and hand signals is an asset—like ‘watch me’ to get their attention and ‘sit’ to keep them in place. While cats may not respond to commands like dogs do, you can still train them to behave well in public settings with similar cues.
Bring Their Necessities
It’s tempting to assume that a pet-friendly café will provide water, snacks and pet bowls for its furry guests, but while that’ll be nice, it’s not always their responsibility. Remember, pets have their own preferences too, and they often feel more at ease drinking from a familiar bowl. To ensure your pet has a great time, it’s a good idea to bring along their favourite chew sticks and toys to keep them entertained or help them relax when they need a little downtime.
Arrival at the Café
When you walk into a café, you’re stepping into a shared space where your needs have to be met by others. Keeping these tips in mind can help you make a good impression, encouraging the staff to readily offer top-notch service and other patrons to be more tolerant and gracious towards you.
Greet Staff and Other Patrons
Take a moment to show your appreciation for the staff’s willingness to accommodate you and your pawsome friend by saying hi! Ask about the café’s pet policies—this shows you respect house rules and opens up the lines of communication, contributing to a friendly atmosphere with other patrons you’ll be in the company of.
Proper Leash Etiquette
Put on your best leash behaviour. Restaurants and cafés can get crowded, with servers navigating through tight spaces carrying trays of food. The last thing you want is for your dog or cat to knock over everything in their path, like a bull in a china shop. Experts advise against using retractable leashes, whether you’re dining indoors or alfresco—to avoid dealing with a tangled mess, simply opt for a standard short leash. This way, you can keep your furry friend close and prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard. And don’t tie the leash to the leg of a table or the back of a chair—it keeps your hands free, but if your pet decides to get up suddenly, they could pull the table along or tip the chair over.
Be Mindful and Respectful
Being well-versed in dining etiquette is important for showing respect to the restaurant and fellow patrons. However, this takes on an extra dimension when visiting pet-friendly establishments with a fur baby in tow. Be mindful and respectful of everyone around you, both human and animal. While everyone is there to enjoy quality time with their beloved pets, not all guests appreciate four-legged visitors sniffing around for food from other tables.
Inside the Café
As you and your pet settle in to eat and drink, these factors can truly make or break your collective experience at the café. Moreover, they sometimes require quick thinking and are decisions that can only be made based on the situation.
Select the Right Spot
Pet-friendly cafés often have fewer restrictions on where your pets can roam, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook key considerations. If your pet is shy or easily stimulated, it’s best to steer clear of high-traffic areas to help them feel secure, comfortable and composed. A quiet corner, especially with a mat or blanket, can provide a cosy space for them to relax without too much distraction or commotion.
Read Your Pet’s Body Language
Most pet owners can read their furry friends like an open book, and that’s a great thing! Even though our animal buddies lack verbal communication, they express their feelings through body language, conveying emotions such as safety, happiness, fear or anxiety. They also use cues to communicate their needs. For example, when a pup has a tucked tail, it typically means they’re frightened, while excessive panting can indicate that they need water. We know this like the back of our hands, and listening to these signals, especially when outside, is crucial.
Keep Food and Drink Boundaries in Check
All your training is put to the test here—make sure your pet stays away from the tables of patrons to avoid food theft and those irresistible puppy eyes characteristic of begging. While it can initially be entertaining, it can quickly become a nuisance for other guests. Additionally, having pets too close to the table increases the risk of accidentally knocking over food and drink. Ensuring good behaviour will promote better manners that everyone can appreciate. Even crumbs that have fallen on the floor are off-limits due to hygiene, safety and disruption concerns.
Leaving the Café
After a fantastic time at the café, it’s important to wrap things up on a positive note. A proper exit not only leaves you and your pet feeling good but also contributes to everyone after you enjoying their experience. Here’s how to make it memorable for all the right reasons!
Clean Up After Your Pet
Make sure to clean up after your furry friends, who won’t be able to do it by themselves. Whether it’s a little puddle of water or some stray fur, taking a moment to tidy up shows respect for the café and staff. Furthermore, it keeps the space nice for the next guests. Our tip? Keep some waste bags and tissues on hand to clean up after your pet, and don’t hesitate to ask the staff if they can help dispose of it for you.
Thank Staff and Management
Don’t forget to express your gratitude to the staff and management. A simple “thank you” goes a long way in showing appreciation for their hard work and for welcoming your pet. If you had a great experience, let them know—compliments can brighten their day and reinforce their commitment to providing a pet-friendly environment. We know it’s like running a toddler daycare, and that cannot be easy!
Review the Experience
Finally, consider sharing your experience with others! Whether it’s leaving a review online or sharing your visit on social media, spreading the word helps other pet owners discover the café. Share what you loved about the place, any special treats they offered for pets, and how welcoming the atmosphere was. Your feedback not only supports the café but also helps fellow pet lovers find hidden gems to enjoy with their fluffy companions!
Plan Your Next Visit
As you and your pet head out after a delightful café experience filled with delicious food, friendly service, and a cosy atmosphere, carve out a moment to reflect on the memories you’ve created together and what made this outing so special. Chances are, you’ll already be thinking about your next little adventure, eager to create more small but lasting memories with your cherished companion. Two Bakers is a spectacular choice as a newly certified pet-friendly café in Singapore, with trained staff ready to attend to both you and your pet’s needs. Discover more about our inclusive café here and explore our menu, specially crafted for both pups, kitties and humans for a tail-wagging brunch date.