Which Countries Eat Dogs?

Countries Where Dog Meat Consumption Is Legal and Practiced

In several countries, dog meat consumption remains legal and actively practiced, though typically within specific regions or cultural contexts rather than as a universal national norm. Countries classified as “legal and common” in current datasets include China, Vietnam, Nigeria, DR Congo, Cambodia, Cameroon, Uzbekistan, North Korea, and Timor-Leste. In these places, dog meat may be associated with tradition, perceived medicinal value, ritual use, or economic factors such as the high cost of alternative proteins.

That said, “common” does not necessarily mean widely embraced by all citizens. In many of these countries, consumption patterns vary by age, region, or community, and public opinion is often shifting—particularly among younger generations in urban areas. Legal status also does not imply lack of regulation; in some jurisdictions, slaughter is permitted under national law but may face growing scrutiny or localized restrictions.

Countries Where Dog Meat Is Legal but Restricted

In a number of countries, dog meat consumption is technically legal—but heavily restricted in practice. These restrictions often target slaughter, commercial sale, transportation, or import rather than personal consumption itself. Examples include the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Hong Kong, where laws make it effectively impossible to operate a legal dog meat market even if consumption is not explicitly outlawed.

In many of these countries, the legal framework reflects broader social norms that increasingly classify dogs as companion animals rather than livestock. For instance, U.S. federal law prohibits the transportation, sale, and slaughter of dogs for human consumption, leaving no lawful supply chain. Similarly, some European countries ban commercial production and sale, while allowing highly limited private slaughter under strict animal welfare rules. On paper, legality may exist—but in practice, the combination of regulation, social norms, and enforcement makes consumption rare.

Countries Where Dog Meat Is Illegal

In several countries, dog meat consumption is explicitly illegal. Nations such as Mexico, the Philippines, Colombia, Argentina, Taiwan, and South Korea have enacted formal bans on slaughter, sale, and/or consumption. In many cases, these laws were introduced after years of public debate, shifting social attitudes, and growing animal welfare advocacy.

South Korea, for example, passed legislation in 2024 banning the slaughter, sale, and consumption of dog meat, with full enforcement scheduled to take effect in 2027. Taiwan strengthened its ban in stages, adding fines and potential jail time for violations. Even where bans exist, enforcement can vary, and informal trade may persist in certain regions. Still, the broader trend in these countries points toward declining consumption and stronger legal protection for dogs as companion animals.

Changing Attitudes and Legal Gray Areas

Across much of the world, attitudes toward dog meat are shifting—sometimes faster than the laws themselves. In places like China and Vietnam, consumption remains legal in many regions, but surveys and public campaigns suggest declining popularity, especially among younger generations who increasingly view dogs as companions rather than livestock. Urbanization, rising incomes, and global cultural exchange have all influenced this change.

At the same time, some countries operate in legal gray zones. In nations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe, consumption may not be explicitly banned in every scenario—but slaughter, sale, transport, or import is heavily restricted or prohibited. These layered regulations effectively make commercial dog meat markets impossible, even if the legal framework stops short of a blanket consumption ban. As with many cultural food practices, the law often reflects an evolving balance between tradition, public opinion, and animal welfare standards.