Pet Owner's Guide to

Welcome to Belgium—where dogs stroll cobblestone streets, lounge under café tables, and join their humans for weekend countryside adventures.
Belgium is a small but diverse country with a strong appreciation for pets, especially dogs. While expectations vary slightly between the Dutch-, French-, and German-speaking regions, Belgium is consistently welcoming to well-behaved animals and offers a high quality of life for pets.

This guide covers veterinary care, pet laws, parks, pet-friendly venues, and tips to help you and your pet feel at home in Belgium.

Veterinary care in Belgium is widely accessible and of high quality. Most cities and towns have at least one veterinary clinic, and emergency care is available in major urban areas.

Top Veterinary Clinics:

• Université de Liège Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Liège) – One of the country’s top teaching hospitals offering advanced and referral services.
• Dierenkliniek Malpertuus (Leuven) – A modern facility known for diagnostics and surgery.
• Clinique Vétérinaire du Parc (Brussels) – Multilingual team popular among expats.
• Animal Clinic De Ark (Antwerp) – General and emergency services with a strong local reputation.

👉 Tip: While many vets speak English, especially in international cities like Brussels, it’s helpful to learn some key pet care terms in French or Dutch, depending on your region.

🏥 Emergency Services

Emergency veterinary clinics are located in most cities and may operate through partnerships with local vets or teaching hospitals.

To be prepared:

• Find your nearest 24/7 clinic
• Program emergency contacts into your phone
• Carry a portable copy of your pet’s health and vaccination records

Many Belgian cafés, especially in Brussels and Flanders, welcome dogs—particularly in outdoor seating areas. Some even offer water bowls and snacks.

Pet-Friendly Spots:

• Le Balmoral (Brussels) – A retro café with a dog-friendly terrace.
• Café Labath (Ghent) – Stylish café known for its relaxed vibe and dog-loving staff.
• Bar d’Hugo (Liège) – Cozy wine bar with a pet-positive attitude.
• De Broers van Julienne (Antwerp) – Organic eatery with an inviting garden terrace.

Belgium may be compact, but it offers great green spaces—from city parks to lush forests and coastlines.

Dog-Friendly Spots:

• Bois de la Cambre (Brussels) – Expansive park popular with pet owners; leash required in most areas.
• Laeken Park (Brussels) – Beautiful grounds with off-leash fields.
• Zoniënwoud / Forêt de Soignes (Brussels region) – A massive beech forest with leash-required hiking trails.
• Middelkerke Beach (Flanders coast) – Allows dogs on-leash year-round and off-leash in winter.

Hiking Tips:

• Off-leash freedom is limited to designated zones
• Dogs must be under voice control and not disturb wildlife or livestock
• Always carry water and a leash—Belgian trails often cross farmland and town borders

🚆 Transportation with Pets

Belgium’s public transport network (SNCB trains, De Lijn, TEC, STIB) is relatively pet-friendly.

Trains:

• Small pets in carriers ride for free
• Larger dogs are allowed but require a discounted pet fare ticket
• Dogs must be leashed and muzzled if not in a carrier

Trams & Buses:

• Rules vary slightly by region but generally follow train guidelines
• Always leash your dog and be prepared to muzzle if asked

Belgium’s pet stores offer everything from designer collars to organic kibble. You’ll find both large chains and smaller boutiques.

Popular Retailers:

• Tom&Co – The most widespread Belgian pet store chain with a wide range of food, supplies, and grooming.
• Aveve (now called Arvesta) – Agricultural supply stores with strong pet sections.
• Zoomalia.be – Online pet supply store with home delivery.
• Maxi Zoo – European chain with high-quality gear and food.