Costco's Pet Policy: Everything to Know (2026)

Costco's pet policy allows only service animals inside its warehouses. Pets, emotional support animals, and therapy animals are not permitted—including in the food court and at gas stations. A service animal must be a dog trained to perform a specific task for a person with a disability. Regular pets are welcome only in outdoor areas like the parking lot.

That is the short version, but there is real nuance around service animals, what staff can ask, and why the policy exists. Here is everything Costco members need to know in 2026, plus how the warehouse giant compares to other big-box stores.

What Is Costco's Pet Policy?

Costco maintains a strict service-animals-only policy across its U.S. warehouses. According to Costco's official guidance, "Costco members accompanied by service animals have immediate access to our warehouses." The flip side is that pet dogs and cats, no matter how well-behaved, are not allowed inside—and that includes the food court, the pharmacy, and the attached gas stations.

As Dogster's 2026 update puts it plainly, "Dogs are not permitted in Costco stores" except for service animals. Your pet can accompany you in outdoor areas such as the parking lot, but the moment you enter the warehouse, only trained service dogs come along. Some individual locations may show discretion, but the official rule is service animals only.

Are Service Animals Allowed at Costco?

Yes. Costco follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires businesses open to the public to allow service animals. Under the ADA's definition, service animals are "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities"—guiding someone who is blind, alerting to a seizure, or retrieving items, for example.

A service dog must be under control and housebroken, but it does not need a special vest, ID, or certificate to enter Costco. In fact, the ADA prohibits businesses from demanding paperwork, a point we cover more below. If a service dog is out of control and the handler does not act, or if it is not housebroken, a store may ask that specific animal to leave—but it cannot ban service dogs as a category.

What About Emotional Support and Therapy Animals?

This is where many shoppers get tripped up. Emotional support animals (ESAs) and therapy animals are not service animals under the ADA, and Costco does not admit them. The ADA is explicit: "Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals."

The distinction is about training, not affection. A service dog is trained to perform a specific task tied to a disability; an ESA provides comfort simply by being present. Both matter enormously to their owners, but only the task-trained service dog has legal access rights at Costco. Online "ESA registration" certificates do not change this—the Department of Justice does not recognize them.

Why Doesn't Costco Allow Pets?

The core reason is food safety. Costco warehouses sell and sample huge quantities of food, and health codes plus the company's own hygiene standards keep non-service animals out of areas where food is handled. Adding crowds, forklifts, and tightly packed aisles, and a busy warehouse simply is not a safe or sanitary place for a pet dog.

It is a consistent stance across the chain, which helps set clear expectations for members and keeps the two-questions rule (below) simple for staff to apply. If you want the pared-down version for a quick reference, see our companion explainer on whether dogs are allowed in Costco.

Can You Leave Your Dog in the Car While You Shop?

Please don't—especially in summer. Because pets can't come inside, some shoppers are tempted to leave a dog in the car "just for a few minutes." On a warm day that is genuinely dangerous: a vehicle's interior can climb to deadly temperatures within minutes, even with the windows cracked, putting your dog at serious risk of heatstroke.

The safer plan is to leave your dog at home when a Costco run is on the agenda, or to shop with a second person who can stay with the dog outside in the shade with water. A quick errand is never worth the risk to your pet on a hot afternoon.

What Questions Can Costco Staff Ask?

ADA rules limit what employees may ask when a dog's service status is not obvious. Staff can ask only two questions:

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

That is it. Costco employees cannot ask about your disability, demand that the dog demonstrate its task, or require documentation, certification, or a special vest. This protects the privacy of people with disabilities while giving stores a simple, lawful way to distinguish a service dog from a pet.

Pet Perks: Shopping for Your Dog at Costco

Even though your dog can't join you inside, Costco is a great place to shop for your dog. Members can find bulk dog food, treats, beds, toys, and supplies at warehouse prices, and Costco's pet pharmacy offers competitive pricing on many common medications. Plenty of dog owners also swear by a Costco rotisserie chicken as an occasional plain, unseasoned treat topper (in moderation).

Online ordering with home delivery makes it easy to stock up without bringing your pup along. So while the policy keeps dogs out of the aisles, your Costco membership still pulls its weight for your four-legged family member.

How Costco's Pet Policy Compares to Other Stores

Costco's service-animals-only rule is typical for warehouse clubs and grocery-focused retailers. Sam's Club follows the same food-safety-driven approach, and grocery-adjacent big boxes like Walmart and Target also generally limit access to service animals. More dog-welcoming chains tend to be those that don't sell fresh food, such as home-improvement and outdoor retailers—see our guide to whether dogs are allowed in Bass Pro Shops. When in doubt, assume a store that sells groceries is service-animals-only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs allowed in Costco?

No. Only trained service animals are allowed inside Costco warehouses. Pet dogs, emotional support animals, and therapy animals are not permitted, including in the food court and at gas stations. Pets may stay with owners in outdoor areas like the parking lot.

Does Costco allow emotional support animals?

No. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA, so Costco does not allow them inside. Only dogs individually trained to perform a task for a person with a disability qualify.

Do you need a vest or certificate for a service dog at Costco?

No. The ADA does not require service dogs to wear a vest or carry certification, and Costco cannot demand documentation. Staff may only ask whether the dog is a service animal and what task it is trained to perform.

Can Costco employees ask me to remove my service dog?

Only in specific cases—if the dog is out of control and the handler doesn't correct it, or if the dog isn't housebroken. Costco cannot exclude service dogs as a general rule, and it can't ask about your disability.

Can I shop for pet supplies at Costco?

Yes. Costco sells dog food, treats, beds, toys, and supplies in bulk, and its pet pharmacy offers competitive medication pricing. You just can't bring your pet into the warehouse to shop with you.

The Bottom Line

Costco's pet policy is simple once you know it: service dogs are welcome, all other animals are not, and the reason is food safety. Leave your pet at home for the Costco run, take advantage of the warehouse's bulk pet deals, and keep your dog safe—never in a hot car—while you shop.

Find pet-friendly places near you and plan outings where your dog actually gets to tag along by browsing our dog-friendly shopping guide.