Pet Owner's Guide to

Welcome to Switzerland—where dogs are often seen riding trams, exploring alpine trails, and sitting beside their humans at sidewalk cafés. With a culture that values cleanliness, order, and outdoor recreation, Switzerland is an ideal home for well-trained pets. But like everything in Swiss life, pet ownership here comes with a clear structure, expectations, and responsibilities.

This guide covers veterinary care, pet laws, parks, pet-friendly venues, and other practical insights to help you and your pet feel at home.

Switzerland has a very high standard of veterinary care. Most towns have at least one small animal clinic, and major cities offer multilingual, full-service animal hospitals.

Top Veterinary Clinics:

• Tierspital Zürich (Zurich) – One of the country’s most advanced veterinary hospitals, part of the University of Zurich.
• Clinique Vétérinaire de Lausanne – Trusted by expats and locals alike; offers surgical and diagnostic services.
• Tierklinik Basel – A respected clinic in the tri-border area with emergency care and specialty treatment.
• AniCura Bern – Part of a European network of animal hospitals, known for advanced diagnostics and pet dental care.

👉 Tip: While many Swiss vets speak English, especially in expat-heavy areas, it’s helpful to learn a few key pet-related terms in German, French, or Italian depending on your canton.

🏥 Emergency Services

Many vet clinics offer after-hours or emergency care, but they typically refer patients to regional animal hospitals or 24/7 emergency clinics.

To prepare:

• Save your vet’s emergency number
• Know the location of your nearest Tierklinik (animal hospital)
• Keep records of vaccinations and medical history easily accessible

Many Swiss cafés and restaurants allow dogs—especially on terraces, but often indoors as well. Look for water bowls and “dogs welcome” signs near the door.

Pet-Friendly Spots:

• Café Sprüngli (Zurich) – Dogs are welcome on the patio at this famous Swiss chocolate café.
• Café de Grancy (Lausanne) – Popular among expats; dogs are welcome outside and sometimes inside.
• Bernaqua Lounge (Bern) – Modern café with a relaxed attitude toward pets.
• Gasthaus Aescher (Appenzell) – One of the most scenic cliff-side restaurants in the world, accessible by trail and pet-friendly on its terrace.

The Swiss lifestyle is all about the outdoors, and dogs are welcome almost everywhere—on hiking trails, trains, boats, and even some ski lifts.

Popular Dog-Friendly Places:

• Zurich Lake Promenade – Long walking path with grassy areas and plenty of other dogs.
• Gurten Park (Bern) – A scenic hill park accessible by funicular, great for leashed walks.
• Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) – A peaceful shoreline with ample walking paths around Lausanne and Montreux.
• Engadin Valley (Graubünden) – One of the best off-leash hiking regions in the Alps.

Hiking with Dogs:

• Dogs are allowed in most alpine areas and national parks but must remain on-leash around livestock.
• Bring water, tick protection, and booties for rocky paths or snowy trails.

🚆 Transportation with Pets

Switzerland’s public transit is famously pet-friendly and efficient.

On Trains:

• Small pets (<30cm shoulder height) ride for free if in a carrier or on your lap.
• Larger dogs require a half-fare day pass (Tageskarte Hund) available at train stations or SBB app.

On Trams, Buses, and Boats:

• Rules mirror those for trains—leashed pets are welcome and must be well-behaved.
• Muzzles are not usually required but may be enforced at the driver’s discretion.

Swiss pet stores stock premium food brands and high-quality gear—but be ready for higher prices than in the U.S.

Popular Retailers:

• Qualipet – Switzerland’s largest chain of pet stores; excellent range of food, toys, crates, and outdoor gear.
• Fressnapf – European pet supply chain with multiple locations.
• Meiko – Swiss pet brand known for organic treats and toys.
• Zooplus.ch – A convenient online option with home delivery across Switzerland.