Everything’s bigger in Texas, but is it better, particularly for people with cats and dogs in Houston? Well we took a look around, and there’s no doubt that Houston is an animal-loving place. Pets and their people can swim together, run the trails, and nosh on cupcakes al fresco (though it’s not necessarily advised to share the cupcake with your pet). Pets in the region can even boast about their own magazine, Houston Pet Talk.
Pet Services in Houston, TX
You can treat your cat or dog like royalty in this city—there are enough red-carpet services for cats and dogs alike.
Pet Specialty Services:
- Resorts, fitness, and spas: In Houston, Zen Dogs gives you and your pup a chance to go to training boot camp to learn obedience basics and how to exercise together! No dogs allowed at Fat Cat Flats, the luxury boarding resort and grooming spa for cats. Pet Resort & Spa is your one-stop shop for dog boarding, cat boarding, pet grooming, dog daycare, and obedience training. Pet Paradise offers pet boarding for cats and dogs, pet day camp for cats and dogs, spa pet grooming, and dog obedience.
- Holistic pet stores and boutiques: Natural Pawz is a Texan chain of stores (15 in the Houston area) that, inspired by the onwer’s pet’s allergies, serves wholesome foods aimed at minimizing painful problems for cats and dogs. For personalized collars, dog glasses (and doggles), bathrobes, costumes, and other unique accessories, check out Funny Fur.
- Pet news and resources: Houston Pet Talk is a magazine, website, and network of blogs all about pets in the community, with resources on grooming, boarding cats and dogs, pet taxis, pet stores, and even pet jewelry and pet psychics! CBS Houston’s Top Spots for Family and Pets has guides on pet-friendly restaurants, pet-friendly hotels, the best dog-walking services, pet-photography reviews, and more. Dog-Friendly Houston reviews restaurants, hotels, and other city hangouts with you and your four-legged loved one in mind. Dogster has listings for dozens more pet stores in Houston.
Vet Services: Want to find a vet for your pet? There are a wide range of options available.
- 24-Hour Vets and Hospitals: Citizens for Animal Protection lists area animal hospitals and vets that have after-hours, emergency services, or are open all hours of the day.
- Spay, Neuter, Vaccination, Screening, and Feral Cats Services: Citizens for Animal Protection lists free and low-cost spay and neuter clinics as well as feral cat programs. Check out Spay Texas for trap, neuter and return programs. BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions offers low-cost wellness vaccinations and testing.
Pet Adoption: The City of Houston has pet adoption listings for dogs and cats and pet adoption fairs. Houston SPCA has adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits, donkeys, horses, and other farm animals. Citizens for Animal Protection has cats and kittens, dogs and puppies, guinea pigs, mice, and hamsters for adoption.
Things to Do With Pets in Houston, TX
Pools, wine bars and pubs, cat clubs, dog clubs—you and your pet will feel welcome and loved in this city!
- Explore the Outdoors: The Houston Dog Park Association lists dog parks and trails for pets and people to explore, totaling 20 off-leash parks including areas with swimming ponds, agility equipment, and more amenities for our pups.
- Attend Annual Events for Pets: Bring your pal to the Houston Pet Expo for a costume contest, talent contest, games, and giveaways—or come to get an adoptable cat or dog. Walk, anywhere, in support of the Houston SPCA in at the annual, virtual, iWalk for Animals. The Houston Humane Society is host to the annual K-9 Fun Run & Walk and the Par FORE Pets Golf Tournament. For the feline fans, the Houston Cat Club has been putting on cat shows for more than 60 years.
- Dine Out: According to the pet travel website, Bring Fido, there are 149 dog-friendly restaurants in Houston, including pubs, wine bars, cafes, and cupcake shops. What more could you and your pooch ask for?
- Stay at a Hotel: Pet Hotels of America lists 142 pet-friendly hotels in Houston—some with and some without pet fees.
- Meet People and Their Pets: Dog-lovers and their dogs are active on Meetup.com in Houston! There’s Houston Active Dogs, Friendly Small Dogs Social, and the Houston Area Pit Bull Meetup, among other groups.
More on City Pets
The Best City Dog Breeds
Which Dog Breed Is Best for You?
Pets In the City: A New York City Guide for Pet Parents