Pros and Cons of Pets on Patios

Fun fact, as of 2021 legally you can have dogs on your restaurant patios in Ontario if you want. The Ontario government left this decision up to the business owners. There’s so many pros and cons to whether or not you should have your patio doors open to customers AND their furry companions. So if you don’t know whether this is the right move for you and your restaurant, keep on reading.

Pro: Expands the target audience

If your restaurant is in a particularly touristy area this may especially apply to you, so listen up! People frequently travel with their pets. Whether that’s out of town, or just out and about. Those people need a place to eat while they have their pup with them, so that brings them to you. Especially if you are one of the only restaurants around that allows pets. Even if you aren’t in a touristy area, maybe some locals want to grab a bite to eat when they take their dog for a walk. Now they’ll know to visit your restaurant, and with their walking routine they might even become regulars!

Con: Not everyone likes pets

This is to be expected, but having a panting dog nearby when you are trying to eat your food may be a bit of a throw off for some people. Some people are even allergic to dogs and aren’t expecting them to be there. It could just be a matter of preconceived cleanliness issues because of the presence of a dog near their food. These concerns should be taken into consideration.

Pro: A lot of people like pets

There’s a reason so many people have pets. Cats, dogs, hamsters, etc. People love having pets and love being around them. If you open your patio up to dogs people may get excited to see a furry friend hanging around and may return for that reason only.

Con: Disruptions to the peace

You cant expect everyone to have fully trained well behaved dogs. Some dogs are just loud and rambunctious by nature. They may beg for the food being served or even get into food they shouldn’t get into. If there are people on a date or conducting business, this may get in the way of that.

There are so many different things to take into consideration when thinking about opening your patio doors to dogs. Now, take what you learned here and apply it to craft your decision. There is no right or wrong answer after all.