A Dog’s Guide to Gig Harbor
Here in the harbor we love our pups! No matter where we go, we like to bring along our four-legged family members. Gig Harbor is a fantastic city for dog owners, so I have sniffed out the best dog-friendly establishments for all your doggie needs so you can keep your furry friend’s tail wagging. I’ve also got you covered for the times you aren’t able to bring Fido along, with options for doggy daycare, pup sitting, and boarding. Read on for all the details!
Places To Let Them Run Free
Do you have a pooch with tons of energy to burn? Gig Harbor is home to multiple off-leash dog parks that are paw-sitively great places for pet socializing and proper puppy behavior training, not to mention ideal areas for letting Fido roam free!
This popular off-leash park offers 15 acres of completely fenced doggie freedom. There is over a mile of fun trails where you are guaranteed to run into other furry friends. When you arrive, take note that the parking lot is shared with the fire station.
If you are looking for fewer trails and more open fields, check out this park. With the option of separate fields for large and small dogs, this fully fenced park is ideal for dog interaction and hours of fetch.
Just outside Gig Harbor, this is another fun locale with several trails for you and your canine to enjoy. Though Bandix has some fenced areas, it is not completely enclosed, so beware if you have a dog that is extra adventurous and may stray off the trail.
Specialty Toys, Treats, and Food
After a long day of running through the woods, exploring trails, and playing fetch, your sweet pup deserves a treat! Take her for a stroll through some of Gig Harbor’s doggie shops where leashed animals are always welcome.
Take care of all your pup’s nutritional needs with options including fresh, frozen, and even DIY homemade food. They also sell treats and supplements, and offer a handy feature on their website where you can search for recommendations based on health goals, needs, or your dog’s stage in life.
Lucky Dog is the cutest doggie boutique that will meet all of your canine needs. Offering quality pet items, impeccable customer service from their dog-loving staff, and all the extra toys and accessories you could want, this is a must-stop for local dog owners.
Gig Harbor is lucky to have our own Mud Bay location, providing our community with the best of the best for our dogs (and cats too!). They are focused on carrying the healthiest and highest-quality supplies and specialty items, so even the trickiest canine diet can be satisfied. Be sure to grab one of their special locally made dog treats for your pooch on your way out!
Find all you need in the way of food, treats, toys, clothing, accessories, and more.
Another great option for stocking up on all the necessities and beyond.
Eating Out
While Washington state law does not allow pets inside certain establishments, including restaurants, there are plenty of places that will happily serve you and your pooch on their dog-friendly patios. These delicious eateries all offer a delightful al fresco experience for you and your dog. “Bone” Appétit!
Need a Pup Sitter?
Traveling without your furry best friend can often be nerve-wracking. The good news is that Gig Harbor is home to some awesome (or would that be paw-some?) doggie daycares so you can jet set knowing your pup is in the right hands. Some of these also offer services just during the day if you need it, and be sure to check Rover.com for additional options.
Bayside provides full-size kennels for your dogs, as well as a patio for them to enjoy the fresh air when the weather is nice. They will also spoil your pet with toys, treats, and a large outdoor space for playing. Special care packages and custom grooming services are also available.
Both large and small dogs are welcome at Bed, Bark & Beyond. The Fields of Fun keeps large breeds exercised and socialized, while smaller breeds get their own outdoor play area as well as television time complete with couches! Services include overnight boarding and daycare for both half and full days.
Danni provides an in-home option for during the day or extended periods of time. Her website has all the details on requirements, policies, and refunds and cancellations.
This small-scale boarding facility offers two different play areas to accommodate a variety of dogs, as well as solo playtime for any shy pups. Learn more about their all-inclusive daily rate, and whether or not your dog would be a good fit for their location.
Gig Harbor Kennel Groom & Board
Your Fido and feline will be well taken care of here! Their lovely park-like setting provides five acres for dogs to run and play, and they also offer dog grooming services.
Howllywood Grooming and Boarding
Howllywood is located just over the Purdy bridge and sits on five acres of property for their guests to roam free. They offer boarding for short trips as well as more extended periods of time, and can assist with special needs dogs and disabled pets too. Along with boarding, they also offer grooming services for your pooch or cats (they even shaved mine, LOL!).
Our Best Friend Doggie Daycare
With two handy locations, Our Best Friend Doggie Daycare sticks out from the rest by offering kennel-free boarding. Your fur baby gets to play all day and get cozy all night without ever being sequestered in a kennel. Their services go way beyond pet boarding, as they offer pet birthday parties, positive reinforcement training, grooming options, individual play with staff members, group play with other dogs, and so much more.
This boarding facility for dogs offers their guests plenty of room for sleeping and multiple opportunities to play and socialize, whether in their covered dog run or the fenced-in play yard.
Located on a five-acre farm, pups have lots of room to run and play during the day whether with other dogs or on their own. At night all canine guests are brought inside and get to enjoy being at a home away from home.
The Lodge offers locations in Gig Harbor and Olalla with overnight boarding, daycare, and grooming (cat boarding is only available at their Olalla location). Their pet care comes with a lot of extras to make your doggie’s stay more enjoyable. With daily housekeeping, music, wellness checks, and activities with trained staff, your dog is sure to come home feeling pampered and tuckered out.
Although this small-scale kennel is run only by the new owner, Amy, you need not fear that your dog or cat will have the best experience possible! She can also accommodate aging pets, any that don’t do well with a traditional kennel facility, and possibly other types of pets as well (just give her a call!). Each dog gets their own private bunk room, individual playtime, daily walks, and the opportunity for group interaction. Feline guests will be treated to a suite in the Cat Cabin, complete with lots of windows, heated beds, and resting perches. Amy updates her pet guest’s owners regularly by text and sends pictures, too!
Dog-Friendly Lodging
For those of you visiting the area (or who have family or friends visiting) who wouldn’t dream of leaving your four-legged friend at home when you travel, Gig Harbor has you covered there, too! Check out these pet-friendly hotels in our community (some do charge an additional fee).
Grooming
Pamper your pooch with a beauty appointment at one of these local businesses. Some also offer self-service dog washes!
GROOMING
SELF-SERVE DOG WASH
Peninsula Pet Lodge (Gig Harbor location only)
What Did I Miss?
There are a plethora of dog-friendly places in Gig Harbor and the surrounding area. Let me know your favorite spot to bring your Spot so I can add it to my list!
Paige Schulte, top real estate agent in Gig Harbor and your neighborhood expert, has all you need to know about our wonderful community. Visit Paige’s Gig to learn more.
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