With billions spent on everything from designer dog clothes to luxury cat trees, the UAE's pet industry isn't just growing—it's booming into a multi-billion-dollar testament to the nation's love for its furry, scaled, and feathered family members.
Key Takeaways
- The UAE pet industry market size reached USD 1.2 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2018-2023 driven by rising pet ownership in urban areas like Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- UAE pet products market (excluding food) was valued at AED 1.8 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 9.2% through 2028 due to premiumization trends
- The overall UAE pet care market is expected to reach USD 2.5 billion by 2028, fueled by expatriate population and luxury pet lifestyles
- Pet ownership in UAE households rose to 25% in 2023 from 18% in 2019, with 1.2 million pet-owning households
- Dogs represent 42% of pets in UAE urban homes in 2023, totaling 850,000 dogs primarily in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Cats are the most popular pets in UAE with 1.1 million owned in 2023, 55% of total pets, favored by Muslim households
- UAE premium dog food market size was AED 850 million in 2023, with super-premium brands holding 35% share
- Cat food sales in UAE reached AED 1.2 billion in 2023, growing 14% YoY due to wet food preference at 40%
- Dry kibble dominates UAE pet food at 65% market share in 2023, valued at AED 2.8 billion total dry food
- UAE pet accessories market valued at AED 750 million in 2023, collars and leashes 25% share
- Pet toys sales in UAE reached AED 320 million in 2023, interactive toys 40% growth YoY
- Pet bedding and furniture market AED 450 million in 2023 UAE, luxury beds 30% premium segment
- UAE veterinary clinics numbered 450 in 2023, serving 2.5 million pet visits annually
- Pet grooming salons in UAE reached 350 outlets in 2023, Dubai with 45% concentration, AED 250 million revenue
- Pet boarding facilities in UAE grew to 200 in 2023, capacity for 15,000 pets monthly
The UAE pet industry is growing rapidly due to rising ownership and premium spending trends.
Market Size & Growth
- The UAE pet industry market size reached USD 1.2 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2018-2023 driven by rising pet ownership in urban areas like Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- UAE pet products market (excluding food) was valued at AED 1.8 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 9.2% through 2028 due to premiumization trends
- The overall UAE pet care market is expected to reach USD 2.5 billion by 2028, fueled by expatriate population and luxury pet lifestyles
- Pet food segment in UAE grew by 12% YoY in 2023, contributing 45% to total pet industry revenue of AED 4.5 billion
- UAE pet services market expanded to USD 450 million in 2023, with grooming and boarding leading at 30% share
- Total UAE pet industry CAGR projected at 10.1% from 2024-2030, reaching USD 3.2 billion, driven by e-commerce penetration rising to 25%
- Dubai's pet market alone accounted for 55% of UAE's total pet industry value in 2023 at AED 3.2 billion
- UAE pet retail sales hit AED 2.1 billion in 2022, up 15% from 2021 amid post-COVID pet adoption boom
- Veterinary services in UAE pet industry valued at USD 300 million in 2023, growing 11% annually
- UAE exotic pet market (birds, reptiles) reached AED 500 million in 2023, 20% of total non-traditional pets
- UAE pet industry e-commerce sales reached AED 1.1 billion in 2023, 28% of total retail
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
It seems the UAE's residents, led by a luxury-obsessed expat community in Dubai, are ensuring their pets live better—and more expensively—than most humans, with the market ballooning to billions as even the goldfish now expect premium grooming and gourmet meals.
Pet Food Market
- UAE premium dog food market size was AED 850 million in 2023, with super-premium brands holding 35% share
- Cat food sales in UAE reached AED 1.2 billion in 2023, growing 14% YoY due to wet food preference at 40%
- Dry kibble dominates UAE pet food at 65% market share in 2023, valued at AED 2.8 billion total dry food
- Organic pet food segment in UAE grew 22% in 2023 to AED 300 million, led by imported European brands
- Fish food market in UAE valued at AED 150 million in 2023, with live food 25% of sales
- Bird seed and pellet sales hit AED 120 million in UAE 2023, 10% imported from Australia
- Raw/fresh pet food trend in UAE reached 5% market penetration in 2023, AED 200 million value
- Hypoallergenic pet food sales up 18% to AED 250 million in UAE 2023, targeting allergy-prone breeds
- E-commerce pet food sales in UAE 30% of total in 2023, AED 1.5 billion via platforms like Noon and Amazon.ae
- Functional pet food (joint health, etc.) market AED 400 million in UAE 2023, 15% CAGR past 5 years
- Puppy food market AED 400 million UAE 2023, premium kibble 50% share
- Senior pet food sales AED 180 million in 2023 UAE, joint support formulas 35%
- Treats and snacks pet food segment AED 650 million UAE 2023, dental chews 25%
- Wet pet food growth 16% to AED 900 million UAE 2023, cats primary consumers
- Grain-free pet food AED 350 million market UAE 2023, 12% of total dog food
- Frozen pet food imports to UAE AED 100 million in 2023
Pet Food Market Interpretation
In the UAE, pet owners are clearly not kitten around, having forged a sophisticated AED 8.75 billion industry where discerning cats dictate a wet food coup, dogs demand premium kibble with the seriousness of a business merger, and the collective appetite for everything from organic imports to hypoallergenic formulas proves that the region's furry, feathered, and finned family members are dining better than most humans.
Pet Ownership Statistics
- Pet ownership in UAE households rose to 25% in 2023 from 18% in 2019, with 1.2 million pet-owning households
- Dogs represent 42% of pets in UAE urban homes in 2023, totaling 850,000 dogs primarily in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Cats are the most popular pets in UAE with 1.1 million owned in 2023, 55% of total pets, favored by Muslim households
- 35% of UAE expatriates own pets as of 2023 survey, compared to 15% of Emiratis, totaling 900,000 expat-owned pets
- UAE pet fish ownership stands at 300,000 aquariums in 2023, 12% of households with aquatic pets
- Bird ownership in UAE reached 250,000 in 2023, with falcons and parrots dominating at 60% share in Abu Dhabi
- 28% of UAE millennials (aged 25-40) own pets in 2023, driving 65% of new adoptions annually
- Female-headed UAE households own 52% of all pets in 2023, per national pet census data
- Multi-pet households in UAE increased to 40% in 2023, averaging 2.3 pets per owner in Dubai villas
- Senior citizens (60+) in UAE own 8% of pets, focusing on small breeds, totaling 120,000 in 2023
- Pet ownership among UAE families with children under 18 hit 32% in 2023
- Small dog breeds (under 10kg) comprise 65% of UAE dog population in 2023, totaling 550,000
- UAE reptile ownership 50,000 in 2023, lizards 40% share
- 22% of UAE hotel guests travel with pets in 2023, boosting pet-friendly accommodations
- Single-person households in UAE own 18% of pets in 2023
Pet Ownership Statistics Interpretation
As the UAE’s pet population surges past the 3.5 million mark, one can't help but notice that the nation’s heart is increasingly ruled by cats, its parks conquered by small dogs, and its expatriates leading a furry revolution, proving that home is truly where the pet is.
Pet Products & Accessories
- UAE pet accessories market valued at AED 750 million in 2023, collars and leashes 25% share
- Pet toys sales in UAE reached AED 320 million in 2023, interactive toys 40% growth YoY
- Pet bedding and furniture market AED 450 million in 2023 UAE, luxury beds 30% premium segment
- Grooming products for pets in UAE sold AED 280 million in 2023, shampoos leading at 35%
- Pet apparel market in UAE AED 150 million 2023, designer clothes for dogs 60% share in Dubai
- Travel carriers and crates sales AED 180 million UAE 2023, airline-approved 50% demand
- Aquariums and tanks market AED 220 million in UAE 2023, smart aquariums 20% rise
- Bird cages and perches AED 90 million sales UAE 2023, custom designs 25% premium
- Pet health supplements market AED 350 million UAE 2023, omega-3 leading at 28%
- Waste management products (bags, litter) AED 400 million in UAE pet market 2023, biodegradable 15% share
- Pet bowls and feeders AED 120 million sales UAE 2023, smart feeders 18% share
- Harness and vests market AED 95 million UAE 2023, no-pull designs 40%
- Cat trees and scratchers AED 160 million UAE 2023, modular designs popular
- Pet cameras and monitors AED 80 million market 2023 UAE, WiFi models 70%
- GPS trackers for pets sales 50,000 units AED 45 million UAE 2023
- Dental care kits for pets AED 70 million UAE 2023, brushes leading
- Pet strollers AED 60 million sales UAE 2023, small breeds dominant
Pet Products & Accessories Interpretation
The UAE's pet industry, with its AED 750 million accessory market, reveals a nation that insists its pets travel in style on a GPS-tracked, interactive-toy-filled journey to their designer bed, all while maintaining better dental hygiene and a more robust supplement regimen than their owners.
Veterinary & Services
- UAE veterinary clinics numbered 450 in 2023, serving 2.5 million pet visits annually
- Pet grooming salons in UAE reached 350 outlets in 2023, Dubai with 45% concentration, AED 250 million revenue
- Pet boarding facilities in UAE grew to 200 in 2023, capacity for 15,000 pets monthly
- Pet insurance penetration in UAE at 12% of pet owners in 2023, covering 200,000 policies
- Mobile vet services in UAE handled 150,000 visits in 2023, 25% growth from 2022
- Pet training centers in UAE: 120 facilities in 2023, dogs 70% of enrollments at AED 50 million revenue
- Emergency vet services calls in UAE 45,000 in 2023, 24/7 clinics 50 operational
- Pet spa and wellness centers 80 in UAE 2023, hydrotherapy services up 30%
- Veterinary telemedicine consultations 100,000 in UAE 2023, 40% for expat owners
- Pet cremation and burial services AED 30 million revenue UAE 2023, 10,000 cases handled
- UAE pet adoption centers facilitated 25,000 adoptions in 2023, shelters reducing overcrowding by 20%
- Average annual spend on vet care per dog in UAE AED 3,500 in 2023, cats AED 2,800
- UAE pet daycare centers 150 in 2023, daily capacity 8,000 pets
- Pet physiotherapy sessions 20,000 in UAE 2023, dogs 75% clients
- Animal nutritionist consultations 12,000 yearly UAE 2023
- Pet dental procedures 35,000 performed UAE 2023, cleanings 60%
- Behaviorist visits for pets 8,500 in UAE 2023, aggression cases 40%
- Holistic vet services AED 50 million revenue UAE 2023, acupuncture rising
- Pet radiology scans 25,000 in UAE vets 2023
- Microchipping services 100,000 pets UAE 2023, mandatory in Dubai
- Pet surgery rates 15,000 operations UAE 2023, neutering 50%
Veterinary & Services Interpretation
The UAE's pet industry reveals a nation where pampering is practically a sport, with a staggering 2.5 million annual vet visits proving that our furry family members enjoy a lifestyle of spa days, gourmet nutrition, and emergency healthcare that would make most humans green with envy.
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