Time to Rethink “Dog-Friendly” Dining. Why Dogs Don’t Belong in Eating Establishments

There’s a growing trend across the UK for cafés, pubs, and restaurants to brand themselves as “dog-friendly.” 

For many, it’s a charming idea, customers can relax with a coffee or a pint while their furry friend lounges nearby.

But after a recent experience, I can’t help but think we’ve taken the concept a step too far.

My wife and I recently visited one of our favourite café bars for a late lunch, a place we’ve enjoyed many times before. 

But this time, our appetites vanished the moment we saw a large dog standing on its hind legs, licking the surface of a dining table. The owner seemed oblivious. The staff didn’t intervene. And that was enough for us to quietly leave.

As we stepped outside, I turned to my wife and said, “You know, Tim Martin, the owner of the Wetherspoon pub and hotel chain, has a good point in not allowing dogs in his premises.” 

She nodded in agreement and added, “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen dogs licking tables in ‘dog-friendly’ places. I think it’s time dogs were banned from places that serve food.”

And she’s right.

While many pet owners are responsible and considerate, there’s a fundamental issue at stake, hygiene. Food establishments are held to strict cleanliness standards for good reason. Staff must wash hands, sanitise surfaces, and adhere to food safety regulations that protect the public. 

Yet somehow, in “dog-friendly” venues, it’s considered acceptable for an animal to put its paws, or tongue, on tables where people eat.

There’s also the comfort of other diners to consider. Not everyone enjoys eating next to a panting Labrador or a barking terrier. Some people have allergies. Others are frightened of dogs. And while a well-behaved dog under the table might not bother anyone, too often the reality is far less civilised.

Tim Martin’s Wetherspoon chain is sometimes criticised for its no-dogs policy, but it’s hard to argue with his logic. It’s not about disliking animals, it’s about maintaining an environment where food, drink, hygiene and safety come first. 

You’ll still find dog-friendly beer gardens and outdoor seating areas at many pubs, but once you step inside to eat, there’s a clear line between the dining table and the dog bowl.

Perhaps it’s time more establishments reconsidered their stance. By all means, love your dog, take them for a long walk, spoil them with treats, and visit dog cafés specifically designed for pets and owners alike. 

But in standard restaurants, cafés, and bars where food is being prepared and served to the public, the presence of dogs simply doesn’t belong.

If we wouldn’t allow a child to stand on a table and lick it, why should it be acceptable for a dog?

What diseases can be passed from a dog's tongue to a table surface it is licking? That's a good question. 

These include the following:-

Bacterial infections

Capnocytophaga canimorsus: Found in the mouths of healthy dogs (and cats). It can enter the body through bites, scratches, or contact with broken skin, causing serious infections in rare cases — particularly in people with weakened immune systems.

Pasteurella multocida:  Common in dog saliva. It can cause local skin infections or, more rarely, respiratory infections.

Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA):  Dogs can carry MRSA and pass it to humans through saliva or close contact.

Campylobacter: Can cause food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, and cramps.

Salmonella: Dogs can shed Salmonella in their saliva and faeces, especially if they eat raw food diets.

Parasitic and fungal infections

Giardia: A microscopic parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness.

Cryptosporidium: Another parasite that can cause diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

Ringworm: Not an actual worm but a fungal infection; can spread through contact with saliva or contaminated fur.

Viral infections

Rabies: Rare in the UK due to vaccination and import controls, but still a major concern globally.

Why this matters in eating establishments

Even if a dog appears healthy, its mouth can carry pathogens from:

licking its own body, including its genitals or rear end, scavenging or eating spoiled food drinking from puddles or public water bowls, including those placed at the doorway of the food premises you are entering, interacting with other dogs.

Food safety and customer comfort should always come first.

Consumers and Animals at Risk from Online Sale of “Cat-Poo-Chino”

Charity investigation reveals widespread fraud in civet coffee sales on Amazon, eBay and Etsy.

A new investigation by animal welfare and conservation charity The Civet Project Foundation, supported by international animal welfare organisation Wild Welfare, has uncovered rampant fraud and serious animal welfare concerns linked to the online sale of civet coffee, often dubbed “cat-poo-chino”, on major eCommerce platforms including Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.

Civet coffee, or kopi luwak, is marketed as a luxury product made from coffee beans that have passed through the digestive tract of civets, small nocturnal mammals native to Southeast Asia. 

Once hailed as world's rarest and most expensive coffee, with some cups priced as high as £50, civet coffee has become a symbol of exotic indulgence. 

But The Civet Project’s investigation paints a much darker picture of civet coffee’s origins and the market behind it.

Following a surge in global demand, sparked by its appearance in the 2007 film The Bucket List, civet coffee has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry. 

Instead of collecting beans from wild civet droppings as often claimed, producers are now capturing wild civets, confining them in dirty, barren cages, and force-feeding them coffee cherries under harrowing conditions.

“These animals suffer immensely in captivity,” the charity reports. “Wild civets are caught using inhumane methods, suffer severe injuries, and are confined without proper care, biosecurity, or veterinary oversight.” 

This not only violates animal welfare standards, but also poses a significant public health risk, as civets have been identified as potential vectors for diseases including SARS and COVID-19.

Beyond the animal cruelty concerns, the environmental impact is also severe. Civets play a vital ecological role as seed dispersers and pest controllers. 

Their removal from the wild is contributing to biodiversity loss and environmental degradation across Southeast Asia.

Despite the UK public's growing demand for ethical sourcing and high animal welfare standards, the investigation, detailed in the newly published “Industry Leaders Report 2025: Tackling Civet Coffee Consumption (eCommerce)”, found:

Every civet coffee product that claimed certification from named organisations for being 'wild collected' or 'cage-free' was either fraudulent or untraceable.

Sellers falsely claimed certification from organisations such as WWF, Rainforest Alliance, and World Animal Protection, all of whom confirmed no affiliation with civet coffee

All claims of ethical sourcing or animal welfare standards were found to be fraudulent or untraceable

These misleading practices violate UK consumer protection laws, including the CMA Green Code and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024

The consumer standards, animal welfare, environmental and sustainability issues associated with civet coffee products actively breach seven platform policies employed by eBay, Amazon and Etsy.

Despite having clear policies against misleading claims, all three platforms were found to be hosting sellers in breach of their own rules, highlighting a serious enforcement gap.

Dr Jes Hooper, CEO of The Civet Project Foundation, told That's Food and Drink: “UK consumers have shown time and again that animal welfare is an important consideration when deciding what products to buy and from whom. 

"The weaponisation of animal welfare to purposely deceive consumers into purchasing products reliant on animal suffering is absolutely despicable. 

The public deserves much better from coffee retailers and eCommerce platforms. We strongly urge people to boycott civet coffee.”

The scale of the issue is alarming. Between May and August 2025, over 182kg kilograms of civet coffee were available for sale on UK-facing eCommerce sites. Despite its supposed rarity, some products were listed for as little as £15.67 per packet.

In response to the multitude of policy violations involved in the sale of civet coffee, The Civet Project is calling on Amazon, eBay, and Etsy to immediately classify civet coffee as a prohibited item and to ban its sale on their platforms. 

The charity is also urging consumers to boycott civet coffee this Christmas and beyond.

That's Food and Drink and sister sites That's Christmas 365, That's Green and That's Business support this campaign. 

https://www.thecivetproject.com

Sainsbury’s Pulls the Plug on Staff Crisps and Biscuits

In a bold move supporting governmental efforts to curb obesity, Sainsbury’s has announced it is removing free crisps and biscuits from staff rooms across all its supermarkets, Argos branches, and distribution centres 

Instead, colleagues will be offered “light meal” options. like soups, porridge, and nutritious bread rolls.

Why now?

This change aligns closely with the government’s recent wave of anti-obesity measures led by the Labour administration under Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The NHS estimates obesity affects more than a quarter of the English population and costs around £11 billion a year 

Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts, also a member of the Food Strategy Advisory Board, has been a vocal supporter of the government's approach, urging similar reforms across the wider food sector.

The supermarket has said the new staff policy is about “ensuring every colleague who needs it can have something to eat at work” and providing more consistent, healthier options 

Government Gearing Up for Widespread Obesity Crackdown

Sainsbury’s internal reforms are occurring alongside national regulations targeting high-fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS) products:

Sainsbury’s: Putting Fingers on the Pulse

According to ShareAction and Questionmark, Sainsbury’s has already phased out HFSS multibuys since 2016—making it the only major supermarket fully prepared for the incoming placement rules. However, it does continue to run other price promotions on HFSS items, including meal deals and simple price reductions—a strategy that limits but doesn’t eliminate impulse buys 

The new staff-only policy isn’t a symbolic gesture, it reflects a deeper cultural shift within the company. Simon Roberts is pushing for healthier standards across the entire UK food industry.

What This Means for Consumers & Colleagues

Employees now get healthier snack options in work spaces, supporting better energy levels and well-being during busy shifts.

Customers may eventually see fewer HFSS promotions at Sainsbury’s and across the sector, redirecting focus to healthier food choices.

Wider impact: Sainsbury’s action sends a signal to other retailers that corporate-wide health policies can and perhaps must go beyond legal requirements.

Final Thoughts

Sainsbury’s decision to replace free crisps and biscuits with better meal choices in staff areas is a strong internal commitment, mirroring the broader national push to shape food environments. Whether this will directly reduce obesity remains to be seen, but it signifies that health is being taken seriously not just by policymakers, but by major industry players as well.

As regulations tighten, and supermarkets respond, both employees and shoppers could find themselves with tastier, more nutritious options front and centre.

What do you think?

Could initiatives like this drive real change in UK eating habits?

Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!

Porridge Wars: UK Government Advertising Ban Targets Sugary Foods, Sparking Debate

New regulations due to take effect in October 2025 will restrict advertisements for food and drinks deemed “less healthy” in a bid to address rising childhood obesity rates in the UK. 

The legislation will apply to TV ads aired before 9 p.m. and paid online advertising.

The ban, announced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021 and delayed due to economic concerns, includes a wide range of products such as sugary breakfast cereals, sweetened yoghurts, crumpets, scones, and certain types of porridge. 

Foods classified as "less healthy" will be determined through a scoring system that evaluates sugar, fat, and protein content. Products without added sugar, salt, or fat, such as plain porridge oats or unsweetened yoghurt, will not be affected.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the policy as a step toward shifting healthcare focus from treatment to prevention. The government believes the ban will prevent thousands of obesity cases annually and reduce UK children's calorie intake by 7.2 billion calories.

NHS data highlights the urgency of the issue, showing 9.2% of children in reception classes are obese, and over 23% experience tooth decay by age five due to high sugar consumption.

Critics, however, question the ban's scope and effectiveness. Paul Bristow, a former Conservative MP, expressed concern over the inclusion of everyday staples like porridge and crumpets. "The government needs to trust people to make their own decisions," he pointed out.

Some business owners echoed this sentiment. Prasanna Callaghan, who runs Crumpets Café near Buckingham Palace, called the policy "bonkers," arguing that categorising crumpets as junk food could harm small businesses.

On the other hand, proponents, including cook and restaurateur Thomasina Miers, welcomed the move as necessary but urged the government to take further steps. Miers pointed to the economic burden of diet-related diseases, citing research estimating these conditions cost the UK £268 billion annually.

The legislation has also sparked debate among parents. While some, like Maria McCracken from Kent, emphasise the importance of teaching children healthy eating habits at home, others question whether banning advertisements will effectively change behaviour.

The government maintains evidence supports a link between food advertising and increased calorie consumption in children. As implementation approaches, the ban is set to reshape the advertising landscape and reignite discussions about public health and personal responsibility.