Dubai: A surge in pet ownership, especially after the pandemic, has showcased the immense untapped potential the UAE’s market holds.
Some estimates suggest that pet ownership in the UAE has increased by over 30 per cent since the pandemic, with young singles and seniors particularly embracing pets, predominantly cats and dogs. This has propelled the pet care industry in the country into a market exceeding $360 million, with expectations of reaching $2 billion by 2025.
The country’s millennial ‘pet parents’ are shelling out major cash, too. From pet healthcare and food and services such as grooming, boarding and walking, and even pet hotels, the average pet owner is spending between Dh500 to Dh2,000 per month on their pets.
Amr Hazem, CEO of ThePetShop, said, “This market segment is exceptionally profitable, and it’s among the few areas that remain underinvested. In the Middle East, the pet industry is growing at a still substantial 25 per cent, surpassing growth rates in Europe, the US, Latin America, and Asia.”
He added, “Furthermore, when we consider pet ownership in households, only 8 per cent of UAE households have cats, and only 5 per cent have dogs, in contrast to the US where it’s as