The UAE pet industry is expanding quickly, shaped by rising pet ownership and the lifestyles of households across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As we move through the page, you’ll see who drives demand—expats versus Emiratis—and how preferences differ for dogs and cats. We also cover where value concentrates, from food formats and premium/organic trends to accessories, grooming, veterinary care, boarding, and even pet insurance.
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
- 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
- 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 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
UAE pet spending surged in 2023, driven by rising pet ownership and fast growth in food and premium products.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size & Growth11 stats
01
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
02
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
03
The overall UAE pet care market is expected to reach USD 2.5 billion by 2028, fueled by expatriate population and luxury pet lifestyles
04
Pet food segment in UAE grew by 12% YoY in 2023, contributing 45% to total pet industry revenue of AED 4.5 billion
05
UAE pet services market expanded to USD 450 million in 2023, with grooming and boarding leading at 30% share
06
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%
07
Dubai's pet market alone accounted for 55% of UAE's total pet industry value in 2023 at AED 3.2 billion
08
UAE pet retail sales hit AED 2.1 billion in 2022, up 15% from 2021 amid post-COVID pet adoption boom
09
Veterinary services in UAE pet industry valued at USD 300 million in 2023, growing 11% annually
10
UAE exotic pet market (birds, reptiles) reached AED 500 million in 2023, 20% of total non-traditional pets
11
UAE pet industry e-commerce sales reached AED 1.1 billion in 2023, 28% of total retail
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
UAE’s pet market is expanding quickly as it reached USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 3.2 billion by 2030 with an expected 10.1% CAGR, showing that both product demand and services are scaling fast within the Market Size and Growth category.
02 · Category
Pet Food Market16 stats
01
UAE premium dog food market size was AED 850 million in 2023, with super-premium brands holding 35% share
02
Cat food sales in UAE reached AED 1.2 billion in 2023, growing 14% YoY due to wet food preference at 40%
03
Dry kibble dominates UAE pet food at 65% market share in 2023, valued at AED 2.8 billion total dry food
04
Organic pet food segment in UAE grew 22% in 2023 to AED 300 million, led by imported European brands
05
Fish food market in UAE valued at AED 150 million in 2023, with live food 25% of sales
06
Bird seed and pellet sales hit AED 120 million in UAE 2023, 10% imported from Australia
07
Raw/fresh pet food trend in UAE reached 5% market penetration in 2023, AED 200 million value
08
Hypoallergenic pet food sales up 18% to AED 250 million in UAE 2023, targeting allergy-prone breeds
09
E-commerce pet food sales in UAE 30% of total in 2023, AED 1.5 billion via platforms like Noon and Amazon.ae
10
Functional pet food (joint health, etc.) market AED 400 million in UAE 2023, 15% CAGR past 5 years
11
Puppy food market AED 400 million UAE 2023, premium kibble 50% share
12
Senior pet food sales AED 180 million in 2023 UAE, joint support formulas 35%
13
Treats and snacks pet food segment AED 650 million UAE 2023, dental chews 25%
14
Wet pet food growth 16% to AED 900 million UAE 2023, cats primary consumers
15
Grain-free pet food AED 350 million market UAE 2023, 12% of total dog food
16
Frozen pet food imports to UAE AED 100 million in 2023
Interpretation
Pet Food Market Interpretation
In the UAE pet food market, demand is shifting toward higher value and moisture-rich options, with cat food sales reaching AED 1.2 billion in 2023 growing 14 percent year over year as wet food accounts for 40 percent of purchases, while dry kibble still leads at 65 percent share valued at AED 2.8 billion.
03 · Category
Pet Ownership Statistics15 stats
01
Pet ownership in UAE households rose to 25% in 2023 from 18% in 2019, with 1.2 million pet-owning households
02
Dogs represent 42% of pets in UAE urban homes in 2023, totaling 850,000 dogs primarily in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
03
Cats are the most popular pets in UAE with 1.1 million owned in 2023, 55% of total pets, favored by Muslim households
04
35% of UAE expatriates own pets as of 2023 survey, compared to 15% of Emiratis, totaling 900,000 expat-owned pets
05
UAE pet fish ownership stands at 300,000 aquariums in 2023, 12% of households with aquatic pets
06
Bird ownership in UAE reached 250,000 in 2023, with falcons and parrots dominating at 60% share in Abu Dhabi
07
28% of UAE millennials (aged 25-40) own pets in 2023, driving 65% of new adoptions annually
08
Female-headed UAE households own 52% of all pets in 2023, per national pet census data
09
Multi-pet households in UAE increased to 40% in 2023, averaging 2.3 pets per owner in Dubai villas
10
Senior citizens (60+) in UAE own 8% of pets, focusing on small breeds, totaling 120,000 in 2023
11
Pet ownership among UAE families with children under 18 hit 32% in 2023
12
Small dog breeds (under 10kg) comprise 65% of UAE dog population in 2023, totaling 550,000
13
UAE reptile ownership 50,000 in 2023, lizards 40% share
14
22% of UAE hotel guests travel with pets in 2023, boosting pet-friendly accommodations
15
Single-person households in UAE own 18% of pets in 2023
Interpretation
Pet Ownership Statistics Interpretation
Pet ownership across UAE households has climbed to 25% in 2023 from 18% in 2019, showing a clear rise in how many families now keep pets, with cats leading at 1.1 million and expat pet ownership reaching 35% of expatriates.
More related reading
04 · Category
Pet Products & Accessories17 stats
01
UAE pet accessories market valued at AED 750 million in 2023, collars and leashes 25% share
02
Pet toys sales in UAE reached AED 320 million in 2023, interactive toys 40% growth YoY
03
Pet bedding and furniture market AED 450 million in 2023 UAE, luxury beds 30% premium segment
04
Grooming products for pets in UAE sold AED 280 million in 2023, shampoos leading at 35%
05
Pet apparel market in UAE AED 150 million 2023, designer clothes for dogs 60% share in Dubai
06
Travel carriers and crates sales AED 180 million UAE 2023, airline-approved 50% demand
07
Aquariums and tanks market AED 220 million in UAE 2023, smart aquariums 20% rise
08
Bird cages and perches AED 90 million sales UAE 2023, custom designs 25% premium
09
Pet health supplements market AED 350 million UAE 2023, omega-3 leading at 28%
10
Waste management products (bags, litter) AED 400 million in UAE pet market 2023, biodegradable 15% share
11
Pet bowls and feeders AED 120 million sales UAE 2023, smart feeders 18% share
12
Harness and vests market AED 95 million UAE 2023, no-pull designs 40%
13
Cat trees and scratchers AED 160 million UAE 2023, modular designs popular
14
Pet cameras and monitors AED 80 million market 2023 UAE, WiFi models 70%
15
GPS trackers for pets sales 50,000 units AED 45 million UAE 2023
16
Dental care kits for pets AED 70 million UAE 2023, brushes leading
17
Pet strollers AED 60 million sales UAE 2023, small breeds dominant
Interpretation
Pet Products & Accessories Interpretation
In 2023, the UAE Pet Products and Accessories category showed strong momentum with collars and leashes holding a 25% share of a AED 750 million market and pet toys reaching AED 320 million, while interactive toys grew 40% year over year.
05 · Category
Veterinary & Services21 stats
01
UAE veterinary clinics numbered 450 in 2023, serving 2.5 million pet visits annually
02
Pet grooming salons in UAE reached 350 outlets in 2023, Dubai with 45% concentration, AED 250 million revenue
03
Pet boarding facilities in UAE grew to 200 in 2023, capacity for 15,000 pets monthly
04
Pet insurance penetration in UAE at 12% of pet owners in 2023, covering 200,000 policies
05
Mobile vet services in UAE handled 150,000 visits in 2023, 25% growth from 2022
06
Pet training centers in UAE: 120 facilities in 2023, dogs 70% of enrollments at AED 50 million revenue
07
Emergency vet services calls in UAE 45,000 in 2023, 24/7 clinics 50 operational
08
Pet spa and wellness centers 80 in UAE 2023, hydrotherapy services up 30%
09
Veterinary telemedicine consultations 100,000 in UAE 2023, 40% for expat owners
10
Pet cremation and burial services AED 30 million revenue UAE 2023, 10,000 cases handled
11
UAE pet adoption centers facilitated 25,000 adoptions in 2023, shelters reducing overcrowding by 20%
12
Average annual spend on vet care per dog in UAE AED 3,500 in 2023, cats AED 2,800
13
UAE pet daycare centers 150 in 2023, daily capacity 8,000 pets
14
Pet physiotherapy sessions 20,000 in UAE 2023, dogs 75% clients
15
Animal nutritionist consultations 12,000 yearly UAE 2023
16
Pet dental procedures 35,000 performed UAE 2023, cleanings 60%
17
Behaviorist visits for pets 8,500 in UAE 2023, aggression cases 40%
18
Holistic vet services AED 50 million revenue UAE 2023, acupuncture rising
19
Pet radiology scans 25,000 in UAE vets 2023
20
Microchipping services 100,000 pets UAE 2023, mandatory in Dubai
21
Pet surgery rates 15,000 operations UAE 2023, neutering 50%
Interpretation
Veterinary & Services Interpretation
In the UAE’s Veterinary & Services sector, growth is being driven by capacity and access with 450 veterinary clinics handling 2.5 million pet visits each year and mobile vet services climbing to 150,000 visits in 2023.
report visual · Key figures
UAE pet industry is on a clear growth trajectory
Market growth is being sustained by rising ownership and premiumization, with multiple segments and distribution channels expanding into the late 2020s.
8.5%
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 ris
10.1%
Total UAE pet industry CAGR projected at 10.1% from 2024-2030, reaching USD 3.2 billion, driven by e-commerce penetratio
2.5
The overall UAE pet care market is expected to reach USD 2.5 billion by 2028, fueled by expatriate population and luxury
25%
Pet ownership in UAE households rose to 25% in 2023 from 18% in 2019, with 1.2 million pet-owning households
42%
Dogs represent 42% of pets in UAE urban homes in 2023, totaling 850,000 dogs primarily in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
55%
Dubai's pet market alone accounted for 55% of UAE's total pet industry value in 2023 at AED 3.2 billion
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Uae Pet Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-pet-industry-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Uae Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/uae-pet-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Uae Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-pet-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
75 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level