The pet culture in Saudi Arabia

Hey thanks for reaching out.

Pet shops are becoming increasingly popular. It's not very advanced or cheap. Owning and having a pet is very easy and straightforward, especially if you have the knowhow from home, but finding a competent vet is another story. The benchmark is very low and you'll find that the approach isn't very specialised. While its common practice in the USA or uk to neuter or spay your pet, here the streets are full of strays because “denying an animal it's ability to procreate is cruel”. I don't believe there is a law against spaying or neutering. I once took my wounded cat to the vet and he simply didn't look hard enough and didn't find the wound. They are very incompetent and not used to dealing with common household animals, let alone exotic ones. So it can be a nightmare caring for your pet, you pay a lot for very low level service.

Pet shops only care about selling cute animals, nobody cares about long term care.

I live in a small town in Saudi Arabia and not in an expat community compound, pets of any kind dogs or cats are not a good idea. Wait until you get back to civilization to get a pet. The Saudi culture in general is not pet friendly.

What part do pets play in society in Saudi Arabia? depends on your pet
Are they generally accepted in rentals and public spaces more generally? yes no restrictions pets are allowed. except some hotels.

Is it common for families to have pets? its common

What animal is the most often kept as pets? mostly cats & birds
Are there some animals that cannot be kept as pets? no information never hear which is not allowed
Do some animals have specific significations when kept as pets? depends on owner

How about the infrastructure needed to cater for pets?  nothing specil
Can you find everything you need for your pet in terms of pet food, veterinary services, accessories, pet grooming etc...?  yes  jeddah riyad and dammam have markets of pets where every thing is available also many online sites available home delivery also in super markets food items available for pets

Do people generally spend a lot of money on their pets?  normal

Saudi people love pets and consider them as part and parcel of the family.They spend generously on pets. You will hardly find a house without a cute kitty,a parrot or a dog.However the expats-of which most are residing in KSA without families- can't afford to have pets as they have less time and money as compared to residents.

Yup , they are pretty much allowed, I have seen many. Even the expats here in KSA, keep the dogs as pet. I have visited many pet shops where dogs are there.

Hi there,

I am also a pet lover here in Saudi Arabia I have a cat name Tom Tom I care for him almost 3 months its good to take care of this kind of pet. But the problem because I don't have enough space only in our room I use to buy cat foods and sand for his dirt, and also take shower him every off day. His food was very expensive as an Expat working here I spend money for this pet I decided to just leave him outside my villa. It's not easy to care a pet.  You spend time, effort ..

ya i have one but have to give time for cat
everything is god gift

Hello,
In Saudi Arabia, i have seen some of my friends had DOG, some cats as well as parrots, having said that  very rarely you see people take pets out  for a walk or accompany in vehicles.

Definitly not in the public places and public transportations.

There are VET Clinics available in every famous city  not jut one or two i have seen many and they also sale pets in KSA.

I will say Comparatively very little Dogs are used as pet, but i have seen many persian Cats.  My US Friend Sanjay had a DOG and he use to leave it in some professional care takers whenever he is flying out of KSA for a short visits of few days to month.

BR
Nihmathullah

Any one interested MOH mutual transfer from jeddah to al qasim buraidha

I lived in Riyadh for 7 years and found that, while more Saudis and other Middle Easterners are caring for pets, the general consensus of opinion is that cats and dogs are dirty and many Saudis fear them so treat them very very badly.  Most westerners do not realize how easy it is to bring an animal into the country and how difficult it is to take that animal back out of the country.  Animal passports have to be obtained. The animal must be microchipped, vaccinated, examined by a vet and then papers must be filed with the Ministry within a set number of days before the actual departure and an exit visa obtained. If the exit is put off the process of refiling the paperwork must begin again at a huge cost each time.  All that being said, it is no wonder so many Westerners are forced to abandon their pets when they leave the country.  Vet care is expensive if you want to see an actual vet. Otherwise, you have back door hacks working as vets in the pet shops. We saw a cat's leg amputated without benefit of anesthesia while visiting a pet shop in Riyadh.  I can tell you all kinds of horror stories as I worked as an animal advocate there. You would be better off leaving your pets in the care of a family member or rehoming them. To bring them into Saudi Arabia almost guarantees that they will come to a bad end eventually.