Shenzhen is one of the most pet-friendly cities in mainland China: it became the first city in the country to ban the eating of cats and dogs back in 2020, and today it has more than 50 pet-friendly shopping malls, over 1,000 pet-friendly restaurants and eateries, and 11 free pet parks. The city government has even set a target of bringing the total number of pet-friendly malls and parks citywide to more than 90. If you want to take your furry friend to Shenzhen for food and fun, the options are far greater than in Hong Kong. This guide covers eight pet-friendly cafés and malls, grouped by three border-crossing districts.
1. Luohu District (closest to the Luohu Port crossing)
1. Cat Seek Cat Café · Capybara (Luohu branch)
A popular animal café in the heart of Dongmen. Besides pedigree cats, it is home to capybaras, which have become a huge hit in recent years. The shop has a dedicated small pool and rest area for the capybaras, and you can hand-feed them fresh vegetables. The environment is clean with no pet odour, and the average spend is about ¥66 per person. During peak hours at weekends there is a 90-minute time limit. Address: Room 2312, 23/F, East Block, Dongmen Department Store Plaza, Shennan East Road, Luohu District (near Laojie Station on the metro).
2. Heymao Cat Café (Dongmen branch)
An industrial-style, good-value cat-only café. The entry fee includes one drink, with an average spend of about ¥46 per person, and staff will teach you how to hold a cat properly. Address: Room 1714, 17/F, East Block, Department Store Plaza Building, Shennan East Road, Luohu District (Exit C, Laojie Station on the metro).
Luohu pet parks
The Luofang Park country trail has a pet activity area, making it a great spot for dog walking in Luohu District. It is free to enter.
2. Futian District (closest to the Futian Port crossing)
3. Cat Little Master Café
Located high up in a commercial tower with a Japanese-style duplex layout and large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Futian central district. Besides cats, the shop also keeps a Shiba Inu, so cats and dogs can be enjoyed together. Average spend is about ¥63 per person. Address: Room 3023, 30/F, Sculptor's Home, 8 Zhongkang Road, Futian District (near Shangmeilin Station on metro lines 4 and 9).
4. You Miao · Cat Café (Gangxia branch)
Located on a high floor of the Fujian Building, with separate cat and dog zones and around 30 cats. On weekday afternoons there is a 45-minute cat-petting pass for about ¥68, and the space is bright. Address: 22/F, Block B, Fujian Building, Caitian Road, Futian District (about a 140-metre walk from Exit B, Gangxia Station on metro line 1).
5. Paw Paw Meow Star (Link CentralWalk)
A chain cat café where you can pet cats without a time limit — buy two drinks and you can sit as long as you like. There are also plenty of restaurants just outside. Address: LG floor, Link CentralWalk, Futian District (from Futian Port take metro line 4 to Convention & Exhibition Center Station, then walk over via the Link City underground mall).
Futian pet parks and malls
Jingtian North Sixth Street Park has a pet activity area. Shopping areas such as UpperHills and Link CentralWalk offer dedicated pet strollers for loan, and some even have "dog parking spots" where you can leave your furry friend temporarily while you shop.
3. Nanshan / Shenzhen Bay area (closest to the Shenzhen Bay Port crossing)
6. Shangshan Dog Office · Cat & Dog Café (Nanshan branch)
With minimalist Instagram-style decor, this café sits in the core Houhai area. On entry you must sanitise and change into disposable slippers, and hygiene standards are high. Average spend is about ¥73 per person. Address: 1/F, Coastal Window, 75 Wenxin Fifth Road, Nanshan District (Houhai Station on metro lines 2 and 11, near Coastal City).
7. Doggy Goes to Work (Nanshan)
One of Shenzhen's cat-and-dog cafés with the widest variety of breeds, home to more than 40 dogs (over 20 breeds including Bernese Mountain Dogs, Corgis and Samoyeds) and more than 20 cats, split into a big-dog zone and a puppy zone. Charges are about ¥88 per person on weekdays (no time limit) and about ¥108 per person at weekends (two-hour limit), including drinks and pet treats. Address: 53-2 Jinji Road, Nanshan District (Exit B, Taoyuan Station or Exit E, Nantou Ancient Town Station on the metro; open 12:00–22:00).
8. Lingban Meow Traces (K11 ECOAST)
A sea-view cat café with over a hundred cats, located on the 8th floor of the North Building of K11 ECOAST in Shenzhen Bay. Ragdolls, Maine Coons, Sphynx cats and Bengal cats are all here, and entry includes a drink and cat food. Reference prices: about ¥168 for one person with no time limit, or about ¥298 for two (10:00–22:00). It gets busy at weekends, so booking is recommended. Address: Taizi Bay, Nanshan District (Taizi Bay Station on metro line 12).
Shenzhen Bay pet-friendly malls
Shenzhen Bay MixC is relatively pet-friendly, and some shops and the atrium often host pet-themed events. Coastal City in Nanshan is highly pet-friendly, with a pet park nearby. Sea World Culture and Arts Center has plenty of outdoor space and is also pet-friendly.
4. Pet-friendly malls and parks (citywide)
As of 2024, Shenzhen has more than 50 pet-friendly shopping malls. Yunxi Pet Meadow in Bao'an, the "dog parking spots" at One Avenue in Longhua (equipped with poo bags and pet bins), Happy Harbour and One Avenue are all popular dog-walking spots. Some supermarkets such as Yonghui and Freshippo also provide pet holding areas and water stations.
5. Border-crossing transport
- Luohu Port: metro line 1, the most convenient for cat cafés around Dongmen.
- Futian Port: metro line 4, for the Convention & Exhibition Center, Link CentralWalk and the various parts of Futian.
- Shenzhen Bay Port: metro line 13, two stops to Houhai, the fastest route to Nanshan and the Shenzhen Bay area.
6. Things to note when taking your pet to Shenzhen
- Pets generally need to be kept on a leash in Shenzhen malls, and some large dogs must wear a muzzle or ride in a pet stroller. Pets are usually not allowed in dining areas or children's areas.
- Bringing pets across the border must meet quarantine requirements (with valid rabies vaccination records and relevant certificates). Check with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the port authorities before you set off.
- Most animal cafés require you to sanitise on entry and change into slippers, and some have time limits. It is best to book ahead by phone or WeChat.
- At cat-and-dog cafés, respect for the animals comes first — do not force them to be held or feed them human food.
7. Where to buy pet supplies
Shenzhen has plenty of choice for pet supplies: large malls have pet supply concept stores, and Pet Tribe (whose first store opened in Longgang Dayun World) focuses on 500 to 800 square metre human-pet lifestyle concept stores covering staple food, treats, toys and grooming, plus pet grooming and social areas. If you want to borrow a pet stroller or pet carrier, ask at the mall's service desk.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can dogs walk on the floor in Shenzhen malls?
It depends on the mall's policy. Most pet-friendly malls require a leash, and some require large dogs to wear a muzzle or use a pet stroller. Check the mall's and shop's notices for details.
Do animal cafés require booking?
Popular shops mostly require booking at weekends, and some have 60 to 90-minute time limits. On weekdays you can usually walk in.
What are the requirements for bringing a pet across the border?
You need valid rabies vaccination records and quarantine certificates that meet the requirements. Check the latest rules from Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the mainland port authorities for details.
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