HONG KONG — Hong Kong dog owners and their four-legged companions gained new freedoms Thursday as the city relaxed a decades-old regulation, permitting pets to dine alongside their owners at approved eateries for the first time.
Since 1994, only guide dogs and animals performing statutory duties were allowed inside restaurants under the city’s food business regulations. The policy shift, aimed at fostering a pet-friendly culture, launches with over 900 approved restaurants participating in the first phase.
The move marks Hong Kong’s latest step toward building an animal-inclusive society. The city already permits pets on select ferry routes and rural metro lines, while public hospitals have begun allowing pet visits for palliative care patients. According to government figures, more than 240,000 households keep over 400,000 pet cats and dogs, representing roughly 9% of the city’s homes.
At Wan Land Cafe, owner Kelvin Chan displayed a poster proudly announcing the new policy. Previously, dogs were restricted to the outdoor seating area, a difficult arrangement during Hong Kong’s hot, humid summers. Chan, a dog owner himself, does not expect a sharp spike in business but hopes the change cultivates a more welcoming society. He acknowledged the adjustment may challenge diners unaccustomed to sharing space with animals, but expressed optimism that responsible ownership will help skeptics embrace the shift.
“It could become part of our lives,” Chan said.
Regular patron Franco Li said his Shiba Inu, Piku, has happily adapted to joining him at the dining table and socializing with other dogs. “This is such a great step forward for civilization,” Li said, cradling his pet.
Ahead of the launch, many owners enrolled their pets in “dog dining etiquette workshops.” Heyton Lee, a trainer with 19 years of experience, reported high demand for his two-hour program simulating a restaurant environment. The sessions train dogs to remain calm upon encountering other animals and teach owners hand signals to manage behavior. The goal, Lee explained, is to socialize dogs so they understand that passing strangers pose no threat, reducing anxiety and defensive reactions.
“If a dog is just at home, when it goes out, it could get very nervous. Even if people just want to touch them, they might not want that,” Lee said.
Under the new guidelines, dogs must be leashed—restrained by an adult with a lead no longer than 1.5 meters (5 feet) or secured to a fixture—and kept off tables. They are prohibited from eating directly from reusable human utensils. Dogs classified as “fighting breeds” by government standards remain banned from participating establishments. Restaurants may not cook for dogs but can offer pre-packaged pet food.
Many eateries have invested in preparations hoping to attract new clientele. Old Fung Teahouse, a dim sum restaurant, spent over 10,000 Hong Kong dollars ($1,276) installing air purifiers, partitions to separate pet-friendly zones, and providing pet strollers and cleaning supplies. Operators anticipate a potential 15% increase in business.
Tourist Ma Ke, visiting from mainland China, praised the restaurant’s approach. “By separating an area for dogs and their owners, this restaurant is managing the situation well, because it makes it easier for customers who are not that used to being with dogs to accept the situation,” he said.
