5 Most Dog-friendly Neighbourhoods in Singapore: Dog-friendly Cafes, Dog Grooming Salons and More

Demand for dog-friendly facilities is likely on the rise with the growing number of dogs in Singapore. The latest 2018 stats from the Singapore Kennel Club show that there are approximately 62,000 dogs in Singapore, with prices and want for puppies only going up.

With more millennials warming to the idea of adopting pets over making actual babies, we think it’s safe to say that picking a dog-friendly neighbourhood might become a growing consideration for future homeowners.

So we’ve trawled the internet for you to narrow down which are the five best areas for dog owners to live in. We’ve based this on the number of vet clinics/hospitals, grooming salons, dog runs/parks and dog-friendly cafes in each estate.

The material used in this article is primarily sourced from WoofWaggers, who tout themselves as “Singapore’s Most Comprehensive Dog Portal”. Understandably, there are a huge number of dog-related facilities that pop up or close shop every year. So if we’ve missed any, do drop us an email to let us know!

Map of Dog Facilities in Singapore

While we’re only judging neighbourhoods based on the number of vet clinics/hospitals, grooming salons, dog runs/parks, and dog-friendly cafes in each estate, we’ve also included data for dog swimming pools and obedience schools on the map.

Here’s the legend for the map.

• Green: Dog-friendly cafes
• Yellow: Dog grooming services
• Blue: Dog runs/parks
• Purple: Dog swimming pools
• Red: Vet clinics/hospitals
• Black: Dog obedience training services

If you want to add this Google Map onto your phone, click this link.

Top 5 Neighbourhoods for Dog Owners to Live In

After no blood but much sweat and tears, we’ve finally pulled together and studied the data. If you’d like to view a breakdown for each category, scroll down to the bottom half of the article. If not, we now present to you the top neighbourhoods for dog owners to live in.

1. East Coast/Siglap/Katong

Need ideas for where to stay in the Siglap/Katong area? Check out our guide.

The East Coast/Siglap/Katong area is where you should look if you want the most well-rounded number of doggy facilities. Bonus: you’re near East Coast Park so you can have weekly swim sessions in the sea, no problem. When you’re ready to dry off, you can head to Atmosphere Bistro, Kebab Station, SandBank, Bakery and Bar St. Marc or Starbucks for a snack.

The only downside? Most homes sold or for rent in these areas are private property. So while the East Coast, Siglap and Katong neighbourhoods might be fabulous for your dog, their property prices might not be as great for your wallet.

Browse property listings in the East Coast, Siglap and Katong areas.

2. Tiong Bahru/Outram Park

The Tiong Bahru/Outram neighbourhood wins hands down for the number of dog-friendly eateries you can bring your furkid to. Taking a walk down the Singapore river to brunch at Super Loco, Publico Ristorante, Three Buns Quayside, Botany or one of the many cafes along the Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay stretch seems like a nice way to spend weekend mornings. 

Browse property listings in the Tiong Bahru and Outram areas.

3. Serangoon/Hougang

This super cute Japanese Spitz is an HDB-approved dog breed.

While the Serangoon/Hougang area does not have as many dog-friendly F&B outlets, dog owners who live in these neighbourhoods can easily access Punggol Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park or head to K9 Park at NEX for walks.

District 19 is part of the OCR, but it remains an attractive place to live in. The Circle and North East MRT lines offer excellent connectivity to the Central Business District. There’s also a good variety of private and public housing options. Sometimes, you’ve got to think for the humans too.

Browse property listings in the Serangoon and Kovan/Hougang areas.

4. Toa Payoh/Novena

This Cocker Spaniel is enjoying their bath.

Toa Payoh is an HDB heartland, while Novena is generally reserved for those who have some extra cash to splash. Still, living in a centrally-located neighbourhood translates to having a reasonable travelling time to most places across the island. 

You can groom your precious pooch at one of the many salons: Pet Homie X Pet Saloon, Pet Lovers Centre – Toa Payoh, Perfect Paws, Pawdies Friend and more!

Browse property listings in the Toa Payoh and Novena areas.

5. Bukit Timah (Holland Village, Farrer Road, Botanic Gardens)

Look at these Pomeranians and their little paws!

In the Bukit Timah area, you’ll want to live around the Holland Village, Farrer Road, Botanic Gardens MRT stations for access to dog-friendly facilities. Dog owners can stroll through the Singapore Botanic Gardens before heading to The Dempsey Project, La Salsa Kitchen & Bar, Da Paolo Dempsey Restaurant & Bar at Dempsey Hill for dinner or sneaking to Holland Village for a cheeky pint.

These neighbourhoods are dotted with private and landed properties. That means you’ll primarily be looking at pricier property options. But you can keep bigger dog breeds like golden retrievers, chow chows and german shepherds.

Browse property listings in the Holland Village, Farrer Road and Botanic Gardens areas.

List of Dog Grooming Salons in Singapore (2021)

Grooming your dog is part of being a responsible pet owner.

How often should dogs be professionally groomed? Once every six to eight weeks for long-haired dogs, and once every two to three months for short-haired dogs. You can take your pick from the estimated 98 shops in Singapore that offer dog grooming services.

The good thing is that dog grooming salons are pretty evenly spread across Singapore, so you won’t have to go far. But the far-out neighbourhoods such as Jurong West, Pioneer, and Pasir Ris do not have grooming shops. 

However, we didn’t include mobile grooming salons and home-based pet services in our list. Maybe that’s how these extreme Westies and Easties are getting their pets groomed! 

List of Vet Clinics and Hospitals for Dogs in Singapore (2021)

Get well soon, doggo.

If your precious fur kid is sick, you can bring them to one of the 85 pet clinics and hospitals islandwide. Like grooming salons, these medical facilities are evenly scattered island-wide. Pasir Ris has a few vet clinics but the Boon Lay and Pioneer regions come up short.

List of Dog Cafes & Restaurant in Singapore (2021)

Remember to keep your dogs leashed in public places.

There are a good number of cafes and restaurants in Singapore which are pet-friendly. A handful of them allows your canine BFF to be unleashed. Namely, Pasta J, Wooftopia, Sun Ray Cafe, Menage Cafe, Tanjong Beach Club, I.N.U cafe, BHC 不好吃 Cafe.

There are roughly 160 dog-friendly eateries sprinkled throughout the island. However, these cafes and restaurants tend to congregate around areas with a higher concentration of private property.

If you’re looking to adopt and live in an HDB flat, remember that HDB-approved dogs should have a maximum shoulder height of 55cm. 

List of Dog Runs/Parks in Singapore (2021)

This good boy has got the zoomies.

You’re legally required to leash your dog at all times when they’re in public spaces. Those caught breaking the law are liable to a maximum fine of 5,000. Some dog breeds must also be muzzled in public.

While it’s understandable that leashing and/or muzzling your dog is part of being a responsible pet owner and considerate towards others, sometimes you just want to let your puppy run free. Here’s a breakdown of where the dog runs/parks in Singapore are located:

At these dog runs/parks, your dog can socialise with other canines and run freely. While there are more dog runs in the East Coast/Katong/Siglap area, some of them are quite small. The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park dog run remains one of the most popular because of its large size. 

More FAQ about Best Place for Dog Owners to Live In

Where Can I Take My Dog in Singapore?

Marina Barrage, Tanjong Beach, dog runs at East Coast Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. For more dog-friendly places in Singapore, check out our map!

Is Singapore a Pet-friendly Country?

Yes! But there are strict regulations on what kind of pets you can have and in what kind of housing.

Do People Have Pet Dogs in Singapore?

Yes. According to the Singapore Kennel Club statistics, demand for pet dogs in Singapore grows each year.

Can I Keep a Big Dog in HDB?

Yes, so long they have a maximum shoulder height of 55cm and fall under the approved dog breeds. Read our article on HDB-approved dogs and pets to learn more.

For more property news, resources and useful content like this article, check out PropertyGuru’s guides section. 

Are you looking to buy a new home? Head to PropertyGuru to browse the top properties for sale in Singapore.  

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This article was written by Cheryl Chiew, Digital Content Specialist for PropertyGuru. Cheryl likes bread and cats, especially when cats tuck in their limbs so they look like bread. Drop her an email that hopes to find her well at cheryl@propertyguru.com.sg.