Discomfort sources and solutions for non-pet-owner customers in pet-friendly restaurants

With the rising rate of pet ownership, pet-friendly restaurants have become a growing market trend. However, non-pet-owner customers often feel discomfort in these spaces, negatively impacting their dining experience and willingness to patronize. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining in-depth interviews and surveys to explore the sources of discomfort among non-pet-owner customers in pet-friendly restaurants and identify potential solutions. Findings reveal common discomfort sources such as strong pet odors, disruptive barking, excessive pet roaming, pet hair or allergic reactions, passive interaction pressure, inconsiderate pet owner behavior, pets biting or frightening others, and concerns about overall hygiene. The study recommends improving spatial layout and zoning, clearly designating pet-free areas, strengthening pet owner responsibility and information transparency, and promoting a tiered certification system. These measures aim to meet diverse customer needs and foster a harmonious human-pet environment. This research fills a gap by incorporating non-pet-owner perspectives in pet-friendly dining settings and offers practical guidance for business management and policy-making.