Source: OT-Team(G), 齐鲁晚报
Walking through a shopping mall with a small dog on a leash or carrying a cat in a pet carrier was once a familiar sight in China’s commercial districts. For a time, “pet-friendly” became a popular strategy for shopping malls hoping to attract younger consumers who own pets.
That trend, however, appears to be losing momentum.
Recent visits to shopping malls in several cities, along with a review of commercial developments across China, show that some malls have removed pet-friendly signs, ended pet-related services or tightened rules on animals entering their premises.
The shift reflects a growing dilemma. Pet owners increasingly want to take their animals with them when they shop and dine, while malls must also deal with hygiene, safety, animal welfare and the practical difficulties of enforcing rules.
At malls that still allow pets, customers are typically seen with small dogs or cats. Many owners use leashes, pet strollers or carriers, and some promptly clean up after their animals.
But not every situation is so orderly.
Some pets appear uncomfortable amid crowds and noise, repeatedly trying to retreat into their carriers while their owners stop to chat with onlookers taking photos. In other cases, owners have simply removed their pets’ leashes after entering the mall.
Rules also vary considerably.
Some malls allow only small dogs and require a deposit for a pet stroller. Others prohibit pets altogether. Some venues that once promoted themselves as pet-friendly have quietly removed the relevant signs and services.
In some locations, malls are enforcing local regulations on civilized dog ownership that prohibit dogs from entering commercial premises.
At one mall that continues to allow pets, a staff member said animals cannot walk directly on the floor. They must be carried or placed in a pet stroller, with strollers available for rental.
Some malls never adopted the trend in the first place.
Zhao, an employee in the operations department of one mall, said management had considered introducing a pet-friendly policy when many competitors were doing so several years ago. But internal consultations produced more opposition than support.
“Many consumers simply do not want pets in shopping malls,” Zhao said. After considering the potential impact on foot traffic and revenue, the mall concluded that the benefits would be limited and decided not to proceed.
Even with clear rules, however, enforcement can be difficult. Zhao said some customers still bring dogs inside without permission, leaving security guards to politely ask them to leave.
Other malls have tried the concept and decided against continuing it.
Peng, from the marketing department of another mall, recalled that the venue had launched pet-friendly activities two years ago. The results were modest, while the events left behind pet waste, snack packaging and other rubbish that added significantly to cleaning costs.
The mall has since stopped organizing pet-related activities and no longer promotes itself as pet-friendly.
Ordinary shoppers also have mixed feelings.
One customer, Zhang, said he could accept dogs in malls as long as they were kept on a leash, did not bark excessively or relieve themselves indoors, and stayed out of dining areas.
Another shopper, Lin, was more opposed.
“For most people, the biggest concerns are still hygiene and safety,” she said.
Interestingly, some pet owners themselves choose not to take their animals to malls.
Fan Fan, a pet owner who asked to use a pseudonym, said that even if she knows a mall allows pets, she would not necessarily take her dog there.
“Dogs are better suited to open spaces such as parks. Shopping malls are not really places for them to run around,” she said.
Since the beginning of 2026, a number of shopping malls across China have scaled back their pet-friendly policies.
Shanghai’s Taikoo Hui and Grand Gateway 66 had previously become popular destinations for pet owners, offering services such as pet elevators and stroller rentals. Those pet-friendly signs and rental facilities have now been removed.
Beijing’s Chaoyang Joy City and LIVAT Beijing have strengthened controls on pets entering their premises, while Leshan Shihao Plaza removed its pet-friendly promotional materials in April.
In Jinan, malls including Longfor Paradise Walk in Xicheng and Wanxiangli have also banned pets from entering.
The restaurant sector has faced even more controversy.
Haidilao’s nine-month pet-friendly trial came under intense scrutiny after a short video showing a dog eating cake on a restaurant table went viral online. Within five days, three participating trial locations were urgently suspended.
The company explained that the pet areas were separated from ordinary dining areas and that dedicated disposable tableware was provided. The explanation, however, did not prevent the online controversy from spreading.
Similar disputes have affected independent restaurants. Whenever images of pets sitting on tables or sharing utensils with people emerge online, restaurants can face strong criticism and may respond with repeated rounds of disinfection and cleaning.
Veterinarian Ma said many places described as “pet-friendly” are actually designed to accommodate pet owners rather than the animals themselves.
Shopping malls are crowded, noisy and filled with unfamiliar smells. For cats and some small dogs in particular, such environments can trigger significant stress.
Animals may become restless, frightened or agitated, Ma said, adding that frequent visits to crowded commercial spaces are generally not advisable for pets.
That raises a broader question: Does allowing pets into a commercial space necessarily mean the space is suitable for pets?
The demand from pet owners is nevertheless substantial.
According to the 2026 China Pet Industry White Paper (Consumer Report), 71% of pet owners are willing to take their pets out for consumption-related activities.
The problem is that demand has not always been matched by suitable, clearly regulated places.
Existing regulations already place restrictions on animals entering commercial premises. Under local regulations on civilized dog ownership in various parts of China, dogs are generally prohibited from entering shopping malls and other business premises.
At the same time, industry and local standards are beginning to fill the gaps.
The Operational Standards for Pet-Friendly Shopping Malls, a group standard issued by the China Commerce Association for General Merchandise, took effect on February 1, 2026. It calls for physical separation of pet activity areas and requires pets entering indoor spaces to be transported in strollers, carriers or cages.
Shanghai subsequently issued what it described as the country's first local standard for pet-friendly commercial venues: DB 31/T 1703—2026, the Guidelines for Safe Operation and Management of Pet-Friendly Commercial Venues. Released on July 28, the standard is scheduled to take effect on November 1.
The standards provide clearer guidance, but putting them into practice remains challenging.
A mall can invest in designated areas, equipment and management procedures. What it cannot easily control is the behavior of every individual pet owner.
When a pet climbs onto a dining table, relieves itself in a public area or behaves aggressively, staff often have little more than polite persuasion at their disposal.
Liability becomes even more complicated when an incident causes injury.
Ren Xianxin, a lawyer at Grandall Law Firm’s Jinan office, said the primary responsibility for an animal-related injury generally rests with the pet owner.
If the injured person contributed to the incident—for example, by deliberately teasing or provoking the animal—the owner's liability may be reduced.
That does not necessarily mean the shopping mall has no responsibility.
The mall's liability depends on whether it fulfilled its duty to ensure reasonable safety, including whether it clearly displayed pet-management rules, provided appropriate facilities and responded promptly when conflicts occurred.
If the mall failed to fulfill its management and safety obligations, it could bear corresponding supplementary liability, Ren said.
For shopping malls, that leaves little room for a simple answer.
Pet-friendly policies can attract a growing group of consumers, but they can also create additional costs, safety risks and management headaches. Meanwhile, pet owners may want more places where they can bring their animals, while other customers may prefer commercial spaces without them.
As more malls pull back and new standards take effect, the debate is moving beyond whether pets should be allowed inside. The harder question is how commercial venues can balance the rights and expectations of pet owners, other shoppers, businesses and the animals themselves.
Ultimately, the debate is no longer simply about whether pets should be allowed inside shopping malls. It is about how to balance the needs of pet owners, other shoppers, businesses and the animals themselves.
What do you think? Should shopping malls in China be more pet-friendly, or should pets generally stay out of crowded commercial spaces? If pets are allowed, what rules do you think malls should enforce?
Have you ever taken your pet to a shopping mall in China, or had a good—or bad—experience with pets in a mall or restaurant? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments.