From pet-friendly patios to mobile groomers, every dog has its day in Little Rock.

Only the Best for Man’s Best Friend

Our sister publication Metro Little Rock Guide polled locals on the pet-friendliest spots in the city. Here’s what you had to say.

Best Vets:
1.    Hillcrest Animal Hospital
2.    Drs. Koonce at Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital
3.    Dr. Paladino at AllPets Animal Hospital
4.    Dr. Smith at Chenal Valley Animal Hospital
5.    Shackleford Road Vet Clinic
6.    Bellevue Animal Clinic
7.    Pinnacle Valley Animal Hospital

Best Groomers:
1.    Hounds Lounge
2.    Lauren at Chenal Valley Animal Hospital
3.    Dat Pooch Mobile Dog Grooming
4.    The Dog Porch

Best Boarding/Doggy Day Care:
1.    Hounds Lounge
2.    Canine Country Club of Arkansas
3.    Wags and Whiskers
4.    Chenal Pet Palace
5.    The Dog Porch

Best Local Retailer:
1.    Doggy Daddy
2.    Just Dogs! Gourmet

Best Outdoor Locale (that’s not a dog park):
1.    Bark Bar
2.    Pinnacle Mountain State Park
3.    Two Rivers Park
4.    Allsopp Park
5.    Big Dam Bridge

Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant:
1.    U.S. Pizza Co. (Hillcrest)
2.    The Fold
3.    Bark Bar

Fido on the Go

by Shannon Ponder

Like many of the unique resources we’ve relied upon in recent months, mobile pet grooming is increasing in popularity across the metro, bringing your furry friend’s spa treatment right to your front door.

“Mobile grooming takes a fraction of the time of brick and mortar grooming,” says Dr. Toni Beavers, who co-owns local favorite Dat Pooch Mobile Dog Grooming alongside David Ausbrooks. “There is no crating, so owners don’t have to worry about their pet being left alone or its comfort.”

Dat Pooch doesn’t put your pet in a cage to air dry, either. Each grooming session includes a hand blow-out, which significantly decreases drying time and produces long-lasting results.

Most mobile grooming customers are people with busy schedules who prioritize the health and safety of their pets, but wish to cut out inconvenient trips to the groomer.

“Dat Pooch is for those who value the benefits and safety of grooming within a state-of-the-art mobile unit specifically engineered for comfort right outside their home or office,” Beavers says.

While Beavers notes the process may cost more than some traditional groomers, her customers opt for convenience and specialty services, which are particularly ideal for elderly pets and those requiring extra time and attention.

Pets that experience anxiety and distress during their routine grooming sessions can also benefit from mobile grooming’s more peaceful environment. Excessive noise and “assembly line” operations are eliminated, and your pet receives one-on-one professional care from start to finish. Dat Pooch’s mobile units are engineered specifically for mobile pet grooming within a self-contained, generator-powered, climate-controlled facility.

In the wake of COVID-19, social distancing, personal protective equipment and enhanced cleaning are essential, making a mobile option more beneficial than ever.

“Mobile grooming is conducive to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for your pet while decreasing exposure to the public,” Beavers says. “We aren’t required to come into your home, and you aren’t required to travel.”

Dat Pooch also offers no-touch payment options and the entire mobile unit is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between pets. Plus, every pet receives clean, fresh water every time. Now, that’s refreshing.

Mobile Dog Groomers in the Metro

Dat Pooch Mobile Dog Grooming
870.324.3647 | DatPooch.com

Designer Dogs Mobile Grooming
501.897.6705 | Facebook: Designer Dogs Mobile Grooming

Pawlished Mobile Dog Salon
501.850.5250 | PawlishedMobileGrooming.com

Posh Paws Mobile Pet Salon
501.218.6021 | Facebook: Posh Paws Mobile Pet Salon

Park It

Need to stretch (all four of) your legs? Head to one of these local dog parks.

  • Burns Park Dog Park
    4200 Joe Poch Road, North Little Rock
  • Paws Park at Murray Park
    5900 Rebsamen Park Road
  • Pinnacle Mountain State Park
    11901 Pinnacle Valley Road
  • Unleashed at MacArthur Park
    601 E. Ninth St.

Chow Time

Don’t want to leave Spike at home? Dine on a pet-friendly patio instead.*

Downtown
42 Bar & Table
Boulevard Bread Co.
Bruno’s Little Italy
Buenos Aires
Copper Grill
Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro
Dugan’s Pub
Fassler Hall
Lucky Lou’s
Samantha’s Tap Room
Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack
Stone’s Throw Brewing
Three Fold Noodles & Dumpling Co.

SoMa
Bark Bar
Community Bakery
Loblolly Creamery
Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom
The Root Café

East Village / Hanger Hill
Fidel & Co.
The Rail Yard

Riverdale
Buffalo Grill
The Faded Rose
The Fold
Maddie’s Place
Red Door

Hillcrest
Hill Station
La Terraza
Leo’s Greek Castle
Mylo Coffee
Pantry Crest
River City Coffee
U.S. Pizza Co.
The Heights
Baja Grill
Boulevard Bread Co.
Café Prego
Cheers
Mugs Café
Scallions
U.S. Pizza Co.
Zaza

West Little Rock
NYPD Pizza
The Pantry
Pizza Café
Purple Cow (all locations)
Thirst ‘n’ Howl
Trio’s

Argenta
Arkansas Alehouse
Cregeen’s Irish Pub
Crush Wine Bar
Flyway Brewing

*Some restaurants may temporarily restrict pets in order to operate under CDC guidelines surrounding COVID-19. Double check before you go.