The Ultimate Dog Owner’s Guide to Sacramento
The Sacramento region has long been known as a dog-friendly area in Northern California. As such, it attracts more dog-lovers, dog owners and dog-friendly businesses every year. Whether you’re a long-time dog owner moving to the city or you just adopted your first puppy, our guide has everything from food stores to local dog trainers so you can rest assured you and your furry family member will be happy and healthy in the years to come!
If you don’t see your favorite on the list, make our guide even better by sharing it with us in the comments below! And be sure to give your dog a pat on the head from us.
Jump ahead:
Food + Supply Stores | Off-leash Parks | Dog Walkers | Pet Sitting + Boarding | Daycare | Groomers + Self-wash Stations | Dog-friendly Restaurants | Veterinary Hospitals | Training Services
Dog Food + Supply Stores
Incredible Pets
Incredible Pets has six locations all in the Sacramento area so it’s a convenient place to shop whether you’re in Downtown Sacramento or over in Roseville! With a mission to help serve happy and healthy pets, they help you find a food that fits your pet’s needs and your budget! Find your nearest store.
Pet Department Store
Located in East Sacramento, Pet Department Store is one of the best-reviewed options in the area. Their welcoming and knowledgeable staff can answer your questions about food allergies, raw feeding and everything else you can think up!
The Doggie Bag
The Doggie Bag is the perfect place to spoil and pamper your pup. The first Granite Bay location opened in 2004 and today they offer their healthy and natural dog foods and products out of two locations! Whether you’re in Roseville or Granite Bay, stop by and grab a treat from their gourmet bakery!
Pet Food Express
Today, Pet Food Express has 63 stores throughout the state, but they started right next door in the Bay Area. Inside, you’ll find the highest quality pet foods and supplies, a knowledgeable staff, self-serve dog wash and much more. Find your nearest store here.
Western Feed & Pet Supply
In 1932, Stewart’s Mill opened for business at 1600 34th Street, now Western Feed & Pet Supply’s Downtown Sacramento store. As a part of local history, this area staple offers healthy food, shot clinics, treats and decades of experience and knowledge!
Off-leash Dog Parks
In the Sacramento area, we have an abundance of off-leash dog parks. In fact, between the City of Sacramento, Davis, Roseville and Elk Grove there are 25 different options! With both fenced and unfenced areas, there’s a community and a park perfect for your pup. Click each city name to find the full lineup with addresses. Or, learn more about a few others in the area below!
RRUF Dog Park | Rocklin
Located in Rocklin, RRUF Dog Park is one of the best known in the area. As a successful nonprofit organization, Rocklin Residents Unite for Fido (RRUF) was founded in 2009 to provide a safe, enclosed environment for the city’s residents and their dogs. Join the community at Rocklin’s only dog park and attend a dog-friendly, fun and educational event!
Sam Combs Park | West Sacramento
Owned by the Port of Sacramento and maintained by the City of West Sacramento, this family-friendly park offers picnic areas, BBQs, a tot lot, horseshoe pits and one of two off-leash dog play areas in the city! You can find the other one at Summerfield Park.
Partner Park | Sacramento
Partner Park is one of the community’s favorite off-leash parks. Maintained by the City of Sacramento, it’s located behind Belle Cooledge Community Center and features a fenced in, wide open field of grass so your dog can play and socialize with other area pups!
Dog Walkers
Lucky Buddy Petcare
Over the years, Lucky Buddy Petcare has been ranked in the top five as the Sacramento A-List’s Best Dog Walker and Pet Sitter. Offering one on one walks in addition to group outings, their services ensure every dog is taken care of! After you (and your dog) fall in love with their dog-walking service, check out the in-home pet and house sitting options too!
Extreme K9s
At Extreme K9s, they believe your best friend needs to get out and run, sprint down the beach or trail or leap into the water while socializing with other pups. Catering to high energy dogs, their outings are pack-style, last about an hour each time and end with a wipe down so your dog returns clean and exercised.
The Jogging Dog
If your high-energy pup needs more than just a walk, give The Jogging Dog a call! Serving the Greater Sacramento area, the team will take your four-legged family member on a run about town whether your pup is big, small, athletic or a couch potato. Check out the website to learn what the team can do for dogs who can’t run anymore and even puppies who need a little extra play time!
Pet Sitting + Boarding
Peaceful Pets
Voted the best in Sacramento 10 years in a row, Peaceful Pets is an excellent option for pet sitting and dog walking! Their personalized services include everything from leisurely walks to dog park play and home care to medical care. Follow the team on Facebook for updates on happy clients and fun adventures!
Midtown Mutts
Serving East Sacramento, Midtown, Downtown, Land Park, Arden, Natomas, Carmichael and select others, Midtown Mutts offers a team of professional dog training, professional dog walkers and bonded and insured pet sitters. Their pet sitting services take place in the comfort of your home and can include medications, feedings, exercise and anything else you may need as many times per day as necessary.
PET Your Dog
The owner of PET Your Dog began as a Placer SPCA volunteer in 2002 where she learned all about animal behavior and our relationships with our pets. After she discovered her passion, Elisabeth began her own business to praise (P), exercise (E) and train (T) Sacramento area dogs. The team offers in-home pet sitting in addition to cage free boarding!
Karla’s Pet Care
Karla and her team offer in-home pet sitting services in addition to daily walks and bonus services (see all the options here). Serving the area since 2003, Karla’s Pet Care is headquartered in and serves the community of Elk Grove; contact them to see if your home is in their service area!
Doggie Daycare
Photos courtesy of Cha Cha’s Dog Daycare
Cha Cha’s Dog Daycare
Cha Cha’s designed their daycare with structure, security and clear communication in mind — the things every happy dog needs. With special play groups for different sizes and temperaments, interactive play, quiet time, behavioral direction, snack time and more, it’s a great option for your BFF!
Animal Den Pet Resort & Spa
Whether your pup is staying overnight or just for the day, comfort, safety and security are top priorities at Animal Den. Check it out for yourself and stop by for a tour anytime during business hours. Then, when you’re ready to send your dog to playtime or grooming, give them a call to make a reservation!
Dog Groomers + Self-wash Stations
In addition to the full-service groomers found below, you can take your dog to a self-wash stations at Pet Supplies Plus, Incredible Pets, The Honest Dog and Bath & Biscuits.
The Pet Inn
In addition to dog and cat boarding, training and daily daycare, The Pet Inn in Sacramento offers full salon service. With an emphasis on health and not just style, a day at the spa includes shampoo bathing with your choice of shampoo at no extra cost, external anal gland expression, minor ear cleaning, drying and hand drying as necessary, thorough brushing, nail trim, face and foot trim and a sanitary clip as needed.
Posh Paws Grooming Salon
Open Monday – Saturday in Rocklin, Posh Paws is worth a trip out of the city. Book your appointment online and your pup will be ready for a massaging bath with organic shampoo, nail clipping, ear cleaning, anal gland extraction, a towel wrap and warm air blow out, all topped off with a stylish bow or bandana!
Grateful Dog
At Grateful Dog they offer dog daycare, dog boarding, dog walking and dog grooming all in one Sacramento location! Whether your four-legged family member needs a post-daycare bath, a full groom or just a basic brush and bath, you can find it all along with outstanding care. Check out the breed-specific price sheet and see adorable before and after photos here!
Sacramento Pet Resort & Spa
We recommend Sacramento Pet Resort & Spa for boarding, training, grooming and daycare (especially if your dog loves water!). Their luxury grooming salon is open seven days a week and features state-of the-art technology, all organic grooming products. and professionally trained groomers. Get more details on add-on services — including aromatherapy and a blueberry facial — on their website!
Dog-friendly Restaurants
It’s no secret we love supporting local restaurants and businesses in the Sacramento area — and we think your dog will too! Check out our full list of restaurants and bars offering dog-friendly patio spaces: 20 Most Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars in Sacramento. And preview a few of our favorites below!
Fox & Goose Public House
That’s right, one of the best restaurants in Sacramento offers dog-friendly outdoor seating! The original Fox & Goose in West Yorkshire has been in operation for over 200 years and the Sacramento installment captures its traditional English qualities while adding special characteristics unique to NorCal. You’ll find a huge selection of draught beers from Great Britain and Ireland, fine wines and a full liquor section. Complement your drink with a traditional English meal, vegetarian dish or American cuisine and enjoy live music five nights a week with your music-loving pup!
Juno’s Kitchen and Delicatessen
If you’re wondering whether Juno’s accepts dogs at their eatery, just take a look at the logo! The restaurant was named after a dog named Juno! The staff will be so thrilled to see your dog companion — and may even offer a treat or a little bed for them to rest in on the outdoor patio. Humans, you’ll be happy to discover a simple yet superb menu featuring salads, sandwiches, pastas and much more.
Der Biergarten
Bring your dog to Der Biergarten, Sacramento’s only German-style outdoor beer garden, for an unforgettable afternoon or evening and enjoy a German or local beer from one of 30 taps. This authentic beer garden is family- and dog-friendly, as long as your dog is well-behaved and on their leash at all times. Throw in authentic German fare and you may forget you’re in Sacramento!
Veterinary Hospitals
Sacramento Animal Hospital
This family-run pet hospital was East Sacramento’s original animal hospital and has been serving the area’s dogs and cats for more than 70 years. Meet their team of veterinarians, techs and kennel assistants and join the family today!
El Camino Veterinary Hospital
The mission at this local hospital is to strengthen and nurture the animal-human bond through compassionate and professional care for family pets. Through education, customer service and teamwork, they’ve been assisting families and family pets for years as one of the best in the region.
Country Oaks Pet Hospital
From dermatology and pain management to dental care and surgery, the team at Country Oaks does it all — with a welcoming smile every time! Follow their blog for health updates and tips and like the hospital on Facebook for regular hilarity, inspiration and client photos!
Akaal Pet Hospital
At Akaal, their goal is to help your pet in living a longer, happier and healthier life. Just minutes outside of Sacramento in Citrus Heights, they offer dentistry, nutrition counseling, surgery and much more. Fill out the new client form online and you and your pup are ready to go!
Dog Training Services
Photo courtesy of Animal Minds
Animal Minds
Susan and Terra are the masterminds behind Animal Minds, one of the area’s best training services for obedience and behavior modification. Both have extensive experience in animal behavior and dog training with the main focus on educating you and improving your relationship. Check out the website to learn more about their offerings, including single sessions, private puppy and obedience sessions, day training and behavior modification.
Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions
Primal Needs is headed by Owner and Head Trainer Blair Diamond. Beginning as a professional dog-walker at 18 years of age, he has always been passionate about man’s best friend and our relationships with them. Services include a board and train program, private consultations, guest home dog and owner training and one of the best behavior modification programs in the area.
Jaimie Scott Dog Training
Jaimie Scott is one of the best-reviewed trainers in the region. The program is designed to train you even more than your dog so you can make the right choices and do the right things to build a happy and healthy relationship. Learn more about his philosophy, catch up on the blog and get details on training and rates.
Elite Dogs Training and Boarding
Elite Dogs is a unique dog training and boarding facility featuring comfortable and affordable air-conditioned and heated kennels as well as a swimming pool! With extensive experience with both domestic and exotic animals and a focus on dog training, they’re a great option for new puppy owners and dogs needing an obedience refresher!
Happy tails!
We’re lucky to have an abundance of resources and local businesses for dogs and dog owners in the Sacramento area! Which ones are your favorites?
Category Neighborhood Guides
Windermere Signature Properties
With the California Local blog, Windermere Signature Properties strives to deliver the most valuable information to both home buyers and sellers while highlighting our favorite local gems that make Sacramento the best place to live in California.