Can I Bring My Dog Into Costco? A Clear Look at Their Pet Policy
- Published on:
- By: ASP Team
Costco, widely recognized for its bulk products and competitive pricing, is a popular shopping destination for many. With an extensive selection of products and services, it aims to meet a variety of customer needs. However, a common question arises: are pets allowed inside Costco?
The answer is no, except for trained service animals. Costco adheres to federal ADA guidelines, which allow only animals specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities. Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and untrained pets are not permitted.
This policy, while strict, is in place to maintain safety, hygiene, and comfort for all shoppers. In this article, we will provide an overview of Costco’s pet policy, clarify what qualifies as a service animal, explain the distinction between service animals and emotional support animals, and share how American Service Pets’ iTrain Academy can help you train your dog to meet ADA standards.
What Is Costco’s Pet Policy?
Costco’s policy is the same across the U.S.: pets and emotional support animals aren’t allowed in stores, but trained service animals are welcome.
This isn’t about being anti-pet—it’s actually a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA ensures service animals have access to public spaces, but it doesn’t extend to other animals, no matter how well-behaved or helpful they might be.
While Costco doesn’t have an official “pet policy” page, store managers are trained to follow ADA guidelines. Here’s how it works in practice:
- Allowed: Service dogs trained to assist with specific tasks related to a disability.
- Not allowed: Emotional support animals, therapy dogs, pets, or untrained animals—even if they’re small or well-behaved.
If you bring a dog into Costco, you may be asked if it’s a service animal and could be asked to leave if it’s not. Thanks for understanding!
Why Are Only Service Animals Allowed in Costco?
Costco’s no-pet policy, a standard practice among major retailers, serves several critical purposes. Foremost are health and safety, as the store’s food and household products demand strict cleanliness standards. The presence of pets in store aisles could lead to contamination or pose allergy risks for other shoppers.
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Furthermore, not all customers are comfortable around animals. Allergies, phobias, or religious considerations may make the presence of pets problematic or even unsafe for some individuals.
Legal compliance is another significant factor. Permitting pets indiscriminately could expose retailers to liability risks and violate food safety regulations in various states.
For these reasons, Costco—like other major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and CVS—enforces a “service animals only” policy. This policy ensures a clean, safe, and accommodating shopping environment for all customers while adhering to important health and safety regulations.
What Qualifies as a Service Animal Under the ADA?
The ADA defines a service animal as:
A dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
This includes dogs trained to:
- Guide people who are blind
- Alert individuals who are deaf
- Detect and respond to seizures
- Retrieve items for people with limited mobility
- Interrupt self-harming behaviors during a panic attack
The key requirement is specific training to perform a disability-related task. Just being calm, friendly, or comforting is not enough. Costco follows this definition closely. If your dog does not meet it, it won’t be granted entry.
What If My Dog Isn’t a Service Animal Yet?
That’s where obedience and task training come in.
If your dog currently serves as an emotional support animal or has no formal training but helps with your disability, it may be eligible to become a Psychiatric Service Animal. With proper training, your dog could gain ADA-protected access to places like Costco.
Benefits of Training Your Dog:
- Full ADA access rights
- Improved public behavior and obedience
- Fewer public incidents or denials
- Reduced anxiety for both owner and animal
Through American Service Pets’ iTrain Academy, you can complete this training 100% online.
Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed in Costco?
Emotional support animals (ESAs) aren’t allowed inside Costco stores. While ESAs provide wonderful therapeutic benefits and are often recommended by mental health professionals, they don’t fall under the same category as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The key difference? Service animals are specially trained to perform tasks related to a disability, while ESAs aren’t trained for specific tasks. Because of this, stores like Costco can legally deny entry to emotional support dogs, therapy dogs in non-clinical settings, and companion pets without task-specific training.
If you depend on an ESA for conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, you might want to look into training your dog as a Psychiatric Service Animal (PSA). PSAs are trained to handle specific tasks that help with psychiatric disabilities, and they qualify for public access under ADA guidelines.
What Is a Psychiatric Service Animal (PSA)?
A Psychiatric Service Animal (PSA) is a specially trained service dog that helps individuals with psychiatric disabilities by performing important tasks.
These tasks can include alerting their handler during a panic attack, interrupting dissociative behaviors, guiding them out of overwhelming environments, or providing comforting pressure therapy during stressful moments.
It’s important to note that PSAs are different from Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). While ESAs provide comfort through companionship, PSAs are trained to perform specific tasks that directly help their handler manage their disability.
Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), PSAs have full access to public spaces, including places like Costco, as long as they’re properly trained to perform qualifying tasks. This ensures that individuals with psychiatric disabilities can navigate life with the support they need.
PSAs are truly amazing partners, offering stability, support, and assistance to those who rely on them every day.
What About Getting a PSA Letter?
In addition to training, official documentation may be required to confirm your eligibility for specific benefits.
At American Service Pets, we streamline this process by connecting you with licensed professionals in your state who can conduct a confidential evaluation of your situation. When applicable, we provide PSA letters, offering crucial documentation for a range of needs.
These letters are designed to support travel, housing, and service status when accompanied by proper training. Our priority is to equip you with the resources and support necessary to improve life for both you and your pet. With a focus on confidentiality and efficiency, we are here to help you meet requirements and access the benefits you deserve.
How to Prepare for a Costco Visit With a Service Animal
If your dog is already a qualified service animal, here’s how to ensure your visit goes as smoothly as possible:
Keep Your Dog Leashed
Always use a fixed-length leash or harness to maintain control and ensure your dog stays close to you. This helps prevent accidents and keeps both your dog and others safe, especially in busy environments.
Avoid Busy Hours
Weekends and evenings can get crowded, leading to more distractions and stress for both you and your dog. Try to plan your visit during quieter times, such as weekday mornings, when there’s less foot traffic and fewer potential obstacles.
Bring ID—Even if Not Required
While you may not be legally required to show ID for your service dog, having visible identification, such as a “Service Dog” vest or ID card, can be helpful. It reduces the likelihood of being questioned and helps others easily recognize your dog’s role.
Practice Beforehand
Before your first outing to a busy location, take time to train or refresh your dog’s skills in similar environments. Practice around shopping carts, loud noises, crowded spaces, and other distractions so they feel comfortable and remain focused on their task.
Remain Calm and Confident
Your service dog looks to you for guidance and behavior cues. Staying calm and confident, even in stressful situations, will help reassure your dog and keep them focused on their job. Remember, your energy sets the tone for the experience.
By following these tips, you’ll be better prepared for a hassle-free outing with your service dog.
What Happens If I Bring a Pet or ESA Anyway?
If you bring a non-service dog into Costco, staff may:
- Ask about its status
- Ask you to leave if it’s not a trained service dog
- Deny entry immediately if there’s any disturbance
Attempting to pass off an ESA or pet as a service dog is not just frowned upon—it can be illegal in some states. It also undermines the integrity of real service animals and the people who rely on them.
That’s why proper training and documentation are not only helpful—but essential.
Summary: Can I Bring My Dog Into Costco?
Costco only allows service animals in its stores, so pets, emotional support animals (ESAs), and therapy animals can’t come along. Service animals, like dogs or even miniature horses, need to be specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities by performing certain tasks. If you think your dog might qualify as a service animal, proper training is key!
To get started, consider obedience and task-specific training with programs like iTrain Academy. A professional evaluation for a PSA letter can also help you see if your dog has the potential to become a service animal.
Building your dog’s skills and confidence for public access is super important for places like Costco. While the Costco service animal policy might seem a bit strict, with the right training and support, you can ensure your service animal meets all the requirements to join you in public, helping you enjoy greater independence and accessibility.
Final Thoughts: Train With Confidence, Shop With Ease
You might not be able to bring your pet into Costco today—but that doesn’t mean it’s off the table forever. At American Service Pets, we’re here to help turn your furry friend into a task-trained psychiatric service animal—ready to tackle real-world challenges and fully protected under ADA law.
We’ll connect you with state-licensed professionals, provide expert training through iTrain Academy, and support you every step of the way. Together, we’ll help you build a future of access, support, and freedom—with your dog by your side.
The benefits of an Emotional Support Animal certification and a Psychiatric Service Dog certification are drastically different. Fortunately for you, American Service Pets’ network of active board certified doctor or other licensed mental health providers can help you find the right path to certification. To find out whether you need an ESA or PSD letter, take our easy, three-step Pet Owner Survey!
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