In the described embodiments, while executing a DNS resolver, a processing subsystem in an electronic device with a set of network interfaces receives a scoped request from an application to determine an IP address for a domain name. Generally, a DNS query generated from a scoped request is to be transmitted only on network interfaces specified in the scoped request, whereas a DNS query generated from a non-scoped request can be transmitted on any of the network interfaces. The processing subsystem then generates a DNS query from the scoped request and transmits the DNS query on the specified network interfaces. Upon receiving a response to the DNS query, the processing subsystem stores a record of the response in a scoped portion of a DNS resolution cache that is used only for storing responses to scoped requests. The DNS resolution cache also comprises a non-scoped portion that is used only for storing responses to non-scoped requests.