City that Loves Paws: A Pet-Friendly Guide to Zagreb, from Dog Parks to Cat Cafés

In fact, not only does the city love pets, but it even has a dedicated website for them. The “Pets of Zagreb” page gathers all useful information in one place, including pet-friendly accommodation and restaurants, veterinary services, dog parks, grooming salons, shelters, cultural venues that welcome pets, and important rules for visitors. Available in Croatian and English, the site is regularly updated to help pet owners plan an easy and enjoyable stay in the city.

Here, we’ll highlight some of our favourite places where you can spend quality time with your pets.

Dog's Cafe Zagreb

Dogs Cafe, located near Zrinjevac, is a pop-up café making a big comeback in the second half of March. It brings pets and their owners together around one favourite ritual: enjoying a good cup of coffee. Alongside a special menu filled with treats for dogs, owners can enjoy quality coffee, healthy juices, and a rich selection of drinks and snacks.

To the delight of many happy noses, with more than 100 dogs visiting in just two days last year, owners can even have “coffee with a vet,” ask questions, and learn everything they need to know about their pets’ health. It’s an ideal concept for dog owners, as well as for anyone thinking about welcoming a dog into their home.

Foto: Dog's Cafe Zagreb

Cat Caffe Zagreb

Timon, Ljudevit, Gucci, and Chanel are just some of the cats that live in this café, located in the peaceful Maksimir neighbourhood, close to the city centre. Besides the chance to spend time with these adorable four-legged residents, the café is also known for its colourful and unusual drinks, offering one of the widest beverage selections around. Whether you visit as a couple or with friends, the space is filled with board games available for everyone to use. While enjoying a whipped-cream coffee topped with sparkles, you can try out games you may be discovering for the first time. Fun is guaranteed! And who knows, maybe one of the cats will join your game too.

Animal Caffe Zagreb

Animal Caffe is located on Zvonimirova Street in Zagreb and, as the owners have mentioned in several interviews, was inspired by a similar café in Budapest. It’s a small but charming café primarily home to cats of various breeds, with whom visitors can spend time  (if, of course, the cats allow it). More animals are also planned to join the space, meaning guests may soon be able to see turtles, hedgehogs, and even pythons while enjoying their favourite coffee. A true mini zoo and café bar in one!

Dog parks

If there’s a city full of dog parks, it’s Zagreb. Dog owners love letting their pets run, play, and explore across the city’s many green areas, including Maksimir, Dotrščina, Jarun, Bundek, the Sava River embankment, and many more. When it comes to dedicated dog parks where dogs can socialise and even practise agility skills, notable spots include those in Trešnjevka, Borongaj, near the Zagreb Fair, as well as parks in Savica, Peščenica, Travno, and Dugave. 

One of the most unique spots is Bark Park in the Prečko neighbourhood, a spacious park for both dogs and their owners located right next to the river embankment. Here, dog owners can reserve time slots in fully fenced private yards and enjoy peace and privacy while their pets play freely across a large area filled with equipment, toys, and fun attractions. The park also offers special packages for celebrating dog or human birthdays, allowing guests to enjoy a barbecue and a relaxed celebration without worrying about their pets. After all, who says our furry friends don’t deserve a proper party?

Foto: Bark Park

VauLand

VauLand is a fun and recreational park for dogs, home to the first and only dog swimming pool in Croatia and the wider region. Located in a natural setting about 1.5 km away from residential areas, in Sesvete, it offers a space where dogs can be completely free. Alongside the pool, it features a fully equipped agility course with various obstacles and a dock-jumping platform, creating opportunities for recreation, training sessions, presentations, competitions, and even dog birthday celebrations. While pets enjoy activities and socialising, owners can relax on a covered summer terrace overlooking the pool. Dogs can swim for fun, exercise, fitness maintenance, or to help ease certain health issues. 

Whether you want to have fun with your pets, enjoy a coffee, or meet new dogs, cats, and other little animals, one thing is certain: in this city, anything is possible. Paws are always welcome!

Author: Pia Humski