As an avid shopper and dog lover, I know firsthand the strong bond we share with our furry companions. Many of us consider them family members and want to bring them everywhere we go, even on errands like grocery shopping. In fact, 67% of U.S. households own at least one pet, according to a 2019 survey by the American Pet Products Association. So what is Aldi‘s policy on allowing dogs and pets inside their stores? I did some digging to get you the definitive answer.
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Aldi Stores Do Not Allow Dogs, With One Exception
According to Aldi‘s corporate customer service team, dogs and other pets are not permitted in Aldi stores. The only exception is for service dogs that are specially trained to assist people with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional support animals, therapy dogs, and pets do not qualify for this exception.
This pet policy is strictly enforced across all Aldi locations in the United States. Regardless of the dog‘s size, breed, or temperament, it will not be allowed inside the store unless it is a service animal assisting a shopper with a disability. Aldi employees are instructed to turn away anyone trying to enter with a pet dog.
Aldi‘s stance puts it in the minority of retailers in the U.S. A 2015 survey by Adweek found that more than 40% of stores, including Bass Pro Shops, Barnes & Noble, Pottery Barn, and Macy‘s, now welcome pets. However, grocery stores were the exception, with most banning non-service animals.
Why Doesn‘t Aldi Allow Dogs in Stores?
You may be wondering about the rationale behind Aldi‘s no-pets stance, especially since the stores sell a variety of pet food and supplies. While Aldi hasn‘t released a public statement explaining the policy, we can infer a few likely reasons:
Protecting Health & Food Safety
The biggest concern with allowing dogs in grocery stores is the potential health and sanitation issues. As cute as they are, dogs can track in dirt, shed fur, drool, and have accidents–things you definitely don‘t want around food products. Even well-trained dogs can be unpredictable in new environments.
The FDA Food Code prohibits live animals in areas where food is prepared, packaged, served, or sold. Grocery stores must follow strict regulations to maintain food safety and prevent contamination. Violations could lead to citations, fines, or even forced closures by the health department. It‘s not worth the risk for Aldi.
A study in the Journal of Environmental Health found that pet dogs can carry harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which can spread to humans. The study also noted that pet dogs in grocery stores "pose a risk for individuals with compromised immune systems."
Ensuring a Clean, Efficient Shopping Environment
Aldi‘s business model is all about simplicity and efficiency. Stores are generally smaller, with a curated selection of items, uncluttered aisles, and speedy checkouts. Aldi even skips extras like in-store banking, pharmacies, or coffee shops to keep things streamlined.
Cleaning up after pets would add a time-consuming task that doesn‘t align with Aldi‘s low-frills philosophy. Staff would need to vigilantly watch out for and deal with any messes. This could detract from assisting customers and keeping shelves stocked–the core of Aldi‘s lean staffing approach.
Research by the National Retail Federation shows that retailers spend an average of $1,287 per location each month on janitorial and cleaning services. Allowing pets could drive up these costs for Aldi, which operates on thin margins to keep prices low.
Maintaining a Professional Atmosphere
While many of us adore dogs, not everyone feels comfortable around them. Some shoppers have allergies or phobias of dogs. Barking, lunging, or overly-friendly behavior from dogs could be disruptive and off-putting. Aldi aims to create a welcoming environment where shoppers can get in, get what they need, and get on with their day.
A survey by market research firm Mintel found that 28% of non-pet owners say they dislike when dogs are allowed in stores. For Aldi, accommodating this chunk of shoppers may be more valuable than catering to customers who want to bring pets.
Service Dogs Are Welcome at Aldi
Although pets aren‘t permitted, Aldi does welcome service dogs who are individually trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. This includes guiding the blind, alerting the deaf, pulling a wheelchair, responding to seizures or diabetes alerts, or reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications.
Under the ADA, service dogs must be allowed to accompany their handlers in all public areas of the store, not just the entrance or parking lot. The dog must be leashed, harnessed, or tethered and under the handler‘s control at all times, unless these devices interfere with the dog‘s work. In that case, the handler must maintain control through voice, signals, or other means.
Stores cannot require service dog handlers to show ID cards, licenses, or certificates as proof of the dog‘s training. It‘s important for businesses to understand their obligations and the rights of shoppers with service dogs to ensure equal access and avoid discrimination complaints.
The ADA National Network estimates there are over 20,000 service dogs helping people with disabilities in the U.S. For these individuals, service dogs aren‘t just pets–they are essential partners for navigating daily life and staying safe. Aldi and other retailers have a legal and ethical duty to accommodate them.
What Can Aldi Ask About Service Dogs?
To determine if a dog is a service animal, Aldi employees are only allowed to ask two questions:
- Is this dog required because of a disability?
- What work or tasks has the dog been trained to do?
Staff cannot inquire about the handler‘s disability, request a demonstration of the dog‘s skills, or demand documentation. Once the handler confirms the dog is a trained service animal, no further questioning is permitted. The dog must be allowed inside, even if it is an uncommon breed for service work. Employees cannot segregate disabled shoppers with service dogs from other patrons.
If a service dog is disruptive or out of control and the handler does not take effective action to correct it, Aldi can ask that the dog be removed from the store. However, the shopper must still be allowed to finish shopping without the dog present. Service dogs can also be excluded if they pose a direct threat to health or safety, but this determination must be based on actual risks, not stereotypes or assumptions.
One gray area is service dogs in training. The ADA only covers fully-trained service dogs, not those still learning. However, some state laws like Texas do protect access rights for service-dogs-in-training when with a trainer or volunteer. Retailers like Aldi need to stay up-to-date on these regulations.
No Exceptions for Emotional Support Animals
It‘s a common misconception that emotional support animals and service dogs are interchangeable under federal law. However, the ADA makes a clear distinction between the two. Emotional support animals provide comfort and companionship, but are not trained to perform disability-specific work like service dogs. For this reason, emotional support animals are not granted the same public access rights.
While the Fair Housing Act requires accommodations for emotional support animals in housing units, the ADA does not guarantee their admittance to grocery stores and other public venues. Aldi is not obligated to welcome emotional support dogs in stores, even if the owner has a letter from a doctor or therapist. Only ADA-defined service dogs are protected.
A study in the journal PLOS One found widespread misunderstanding and misuse of emotional support animal laws. Of 248 service dog handlers surveyed, 77.5% reported encountering a fraudulent emotional support dog in a public place within the past year.
Sneaking in Dogs Is Not Advisable
Some small-dog owners may be tempted to skirt the rules by hiding their pup in a purse or carrier inside the store. As someone who‘s considered this myself, I know it‘s tempting to try, but it‘s ultimately not a good idea. If caught, you could be asked to leave immediately and prohibited from returning.
Beyond the store policy, sneaking a dog into Aldi could violate state or local health codes. Businesses that knowingly allow violations could face license suspensions, reinspection fees, and legal consequences. It puts the store and its staff in an unfair position. As much as we love having our little sidekicks with us, it‘s best to respect Aldi‘s policy.
A survey by Petco found that 44% of pet owners admitted to sneaking a dog into a store where it wasn‘t allowed. Of those, 46% were asked to leave by employees and 18% got into arguments with staff or other customers. It‘s just not worth the hassle or embarrassment.
Pet Policies at Other Grocery Chains
Aldi‘s stance on in-store pets is the norm, not the exception, among major grocery retailers. From national chains to regional favorites, nearly all grocers have similar service-animals-only rules:
- Whole Foods Market bans all animals in stores except for service dogs assisting disabled shoppers.
- Trader Joe‘s does not allow any pets inside, but makes exceptions for service animals.
- At Kroger, only ADA-compliant service dogs actively assisting disabled customers are permitted.
- Wegmans follows the same policy of only allowing service dogs, not pets or emotional support animals.
- Publix also states only service animals trained to aid disabled shoppers can enter stores.
This industry-wide approach to in-store animals reflects the strict health and food safety regulations grocers must comply with. It‘s not about being anti-dog, but about protecting shoppers, staff, and the business itself. Each store must consistently enforce the rules to avoid setting precedents or facing complaints of preferential treatment.
Alternative Ways to Shop at Aldi With Your Dog
I know it‘s disappointing that our dogs can‘t accompany us while picking up those legendary Aldi finds. However, that doesn‘t mean you have to miss out on Aldi‘s affordable prices and unique products altogether. You have a couple options to still shop at Aldi without leaving your pup alone for too long.
First, consider using Aldi‘s grocery delivery or curbside pickup service in partnership with Instacart. You can place an order through Instacart‘s app or website, select a delivery or pickup window, and an Instacart shopper will do the in-store shopping for you. For delivery, you can even leave instructions to text instead of ringing the doorbell to avoid dog barking.
Another option is to keep your Aldi trip quick and focused. Make a list in advance so you can get in, grab what you need, and get back to your waiting pup ASAP. If you‘re shopping with a partner or friend, one of you can stay with the dog outside while the other runs in. Aldi‘s small-format stores make it easier to get through your list efficiently.
Some creative dog owners have even set up impromptu dog parking spots outside of Aldi, complete with water bowls and tie-outs. While not officially sanctioned by the store, these can work for a brief shopping trip if your dog is well-behaved and the weather cooperates. Just be sure to check on your pup frequently and clean up any mess.
Ultimately, until our dogs learn to push carts and bag groceries themselves, they‘ll have to sit out the Aldi runs. But with a little creativity, you can still find ways to treat your pet and yourself to the store‘s delightful offerings. After all, Aldi has an entire line of heart-healthy, nutritious dog food and treats to spoil your furry friend with when you get home!
In fact, Aldi has been expanding its pet product offerings in recent years. The Heart to Tail brand includes wet and dry dog foods, dental chews, jerky strips, and baked treats in flavors like bacon and cheese. Aldi also sells pet toys, beds, and accessories through its weekly Special Buy deals. So even if Fido can‘t browse in person, you can still get him in on the Aldi action.
The Bottom Line on Dogs at Aldi
To recap, Aldi does not allow dogs in stores, with the sole exception of trained service dogs accompanying disabled shoppers, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The policy applies to all pet dogs, regardless of size or breed, and also to emotional support animals.
Aldi‘s dog policy is based on:
- Protecting public health and food safety
- Maintaining a sanitary, professional shopping environment
- Ensuring an efficient, clutter-free store experience
- Complying with FDA regulations and local health codes
- Respecting customers who may not be comfortable around dogs
Although it may be disappointing for dog owners, Aldi‘s stance is in line with industry standards and federal regulations. Shoppers who rely on service dogs are still welcome. For the rest of us, utilizing grocery delivery, curbside pickup, or a quick shopping strategy can help balance Aldi runs with caring for our canine companions.
As someone who shares a deep bond with my dog, I empathize with the desire to have them by our side at all times. But I also respect Aldi‘s responsibility to uphold food safety and create a smooth shopping experience for all customers. By understanding the policy and exploring alternatives, we can continue to fetch great deals at Aldi without leaving our furry friends in the doghouse.
