Weather and seasons in Paris
Paris has mild, often grey winters with occasional frost and rarely much snow, and warm summers with increasingly frequent heatwaves above 35°C. Pavements and zinc-roofed top-floor flats heat up quickly during a canicule.
Planning around the seasons
During summer heatwaves, walk early and late, keep to shaded quays and woods, and make sure top-floor flats stay cool for pets left at home.
In the damp months, a quick towel-down after walks and regular paw checks help, especially after muddy walks in the Bois.
Getting around Paris with a pet
In the Métro and RER, small pets travel in a bag or basket; larger dogs are generally admitted on a lead and muzzled with a ticket, but rules differ on buses — check the RATP’s current conditions. A pet taxi avoids all that for the vet, the groomer or a train station.
Homes, buildings and access
Many buildings have a digicode, an interphone and sometimes a gardien; lifts can be tiny or missing. Share codes, floor, key arrangements and any building rules with your provider before the first visit.
Local rules worth knowing
In France dogs and cats must be identified by microchip or tattoo and registered. Dogs classed as category 1 or 2 under French dangerous-dog rules face extra obligations. In Paris, dogs must be on a lead in the street and owners must pick up after them.
Pet care in Paris — FAQ
Does OnlyPaw work in Paris?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Paris. Because it's a marketplace, the providers you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet care cost in Paris?
Providers in Paris set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
Can I take my dog on the Paris Métro?
Small pets travel in a bag or basket. Larger dogs are generally admitted in the Métro and RER on a lead and muzzled with a ticket — check the RATP’s current rules. For vet or groomer trips, a pet taxi in the OnlyPaw app is easier.
Are dogs allowed in Paris parks?
It depends on the park: the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes are open to dogs, and many city parks now admit dogs on a lead in marked areas, while others do not. Check the sign at each entrance.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
