The UAE pet economy is growing. What the numbers do—and do not—say.

A useful national signal, not a pet census

In July 2025, the Dubai post of the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service published a voluntary report on the UAE pet-food market. Its headline figures are drawn from Euromonitor estimates, giving the market a consistent ten-year comparison.1

The report is valuable because it brings pet-population, retail-value and distribution-channel estimates into one primary document. It is not a government registry or household survey, and the report itself notes that its assessments are those of USDA staff rather than official US government policy.1

Estimated pet population rose by 59% in a decade

The report estimates that the UAE pet population increased from 588,700 in 2014 to 938,000 in 2024—an increase of about 59%. It attributes the direction of travel to changing attitudes toward pet ownership and the growing treatment of pets as family members.1

Dogs and cats together account for 54% of the estimated total. That detail matters for housing because these animals create different spatial needs: dogs make exercise and relief routes visible, while cats make secure openings, indoor enrichment and quiet retreat important.1

Pet-food retail value more than tripled

UAE pet-food retail sales rose from an estimated US$61.8 million in 2014 to US$219 million in 2024. Dog and cat food represented US$214 million of the 2024 total, making those two categories the overwhelming centre of reported spend.1

The value grew far faster than the estimated pet population. The report connects this with premiumisation, health-focused products and pet humanisation. Inflation, product mix and purchasing behaviour also mean retail-value growth should not be read as a direct proxy for the number of animals.1

Specialist retail still leads distribution

The report’s 2024 channel split places pet shops and superstores at 56% of pet-food retail, grocery retailers at 28% and e-commerce at 9%. Together those figures suggest that specialist advice and physical availability still matter, even as online ordering becomes part of the routine.1

What this can tell a housing concept

• The addressable national population is not static: the estimated number of pets and value of pet food both increased materially over ten years.1
• Dogs and cats dominate reported spending, supporting a brief that considers both species rather than a dog-only amenity story.1
• Premium, health-oriented purchasing provides a reason to test trusted care and retail partnerships near the home.1
• None of these signals identifies location preference, tenure, budget, service uptake or willingness to pay for housing.

For Tails & Terraces, the responsible conclusion is directional. More pets and more pet-food spend make the concept relevant enough to investigate. They do not replace primary research with Dubai renters, developers, operators and neighbours.

The evidence still missing

• How many Dubai rental households currently live with a dog, cat or multiple pets?
• Where do those households want to live, and which building formats suit them?
• Which constraints cause moves, rejected applications or pet relinquishment?
• Which shared amenities and optional services would see repeated, paid use?
• Does a pet-first proposition improve enquiry, lease conversion or retention after controlling for location, quality and price?