By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services
Summary
To get a pet care license in Dubai, you need a DET trade license with the right activity, such as pet grooming, pet sitting, boarding or a pet shop, plus veterinary and premises approvals from Dubai’s animal health authority. Pet food and care products also need registration before sale. This guide covers license types, costs, approvals, product registration, home-based options and the step by step process.
Why Start a Pet Care Business in Dubai
Dubai has a large and growing pet owning population, and many owners are busy professionals who pay for convenience. Grooming salons, dog walkers, pet sitters, boarding hotels and premium pet shops are all in demand, especially in communities such as Dubai Marina, JLT, Arabian Ranches, Al Barsha and Dubai Hills.
From my client work, the most popular pet business models are:
- Pet salon and grooming (shop based or mobile van)
- Pet sitting and dog walking for working owners
- Pet boarding and daycare during holidays and travel seasons
- Pet shop and pet supplies, in store and online
- Pet food and accessories trading and import
- Veterinary clinics run by licensed vets
Types of Pet Care Licenses in Dubai
Your activity decides what you can legally offer. Pick it carefully, because each model has different premises and approval rules.
| Business model | What it covers | Key approvals |
|---|---|---|
| Pet salon or grooming license | Bathing, grooming, trimming | DET license, veterinary and premises approval |
| Pet sitting license | Caring for pets at the owner’s home | DET license, insurance strongly advised |
| Dog walking license | Walking and exercising dogs | DET license, public area rules |
| Pet boarding and daycare | Overnight stays and day care | DET license, facility inspection, isolation area |
| Pet shop license | Selling pets, food, toys and accessories | DET license, veterinary approval if selling animals |
| Pet food trading | Importing and distributing pet food | DET license, product registration |
| Veterinary clinic license | Medical treatment of animals | DET license, veterinary clinic licence and licensed vet |
| Animal transport | Moving pets and animals | DET license, vehicle and transport approvals |
If you also plan livestock or farm activities, see our guides on the animal husbandry license and starting a poultry farm in Dubai. For a deeper look at salons, read how to open a pet grooming business in Dubai.
Who Regulates Pet Businesses in Dubai
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET): Issues the trade license for mainland pet businesses.
- Dubai Municipality veterinary services: Handles pet registration, microchipping, veterinary clinic licences and pet entry into Dubai. In the first half of 2026 alone, Dubai Municipality delivered nearly 183,700 veterinary services.
- Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA): Under Law No. 11 of 2024, DECCA has powers to permit businesses that care for, rear and trade in pets and livestock. Some approvals are moving between authorities, so always confirm the current approving body before you apply.
- Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE): Handles pet import permits and pet food registration at federal level.
- Civil Defence: Fire and safety approval for shops, salons and boarding facilities.
Pet Care License Cost in Dubai
These are approximate market estimates for a small mainland pet business. Actual costs depend on activity, premises and staff.
| Item | Approximate cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| DET trade license (pet care activities) | 12,000 to 25,000 per year |
| Trade name and initial approval | About 1,000 to 2,000 |
| Veterinary and premises approvals | About 2,000 to 5,000 |
| Shop or salon rent | 40,000 to 150,000 per year |
| Fit-out, grooming tables, tubs and dryers | 30,000 to 150,000 |
| Mobile grooming van and conversion | 80,000 to 200,000 |
| Pet food product registration | About 675 per product (MOCCAE) |
| Staff visas | About 3,500 to 5,000 per person |
| Insurance (liability and animal care) | Varies by cover |
Typical totals: A home-based pet sitting or dog walking business can start from about AED 15,000 to 30,000. A small grooming salon usually needs AED 120,000 to 250,000. A boarding facility or premium pet shop can cross AED 400,000. For wider figures, see the cost of a trade license in Dubai.
Want an exact quote? Speak to our business setup consultants for a breakdown based on your concept.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking License in Dubai
Pet sitting and dog walking are some of the most searched pet business ideas, because they need little capital. You still need a license to take payment and advertise.
- Home based option: Dubai residents may be able to start under a home business license. Read our guides on the home business license in Dubai and the Intelaq licence.
- Freelance route: Some free zones offer freelance permits for service providers. See our freelance visa in Dubai guide.
- Mainland company: Best once you hire staff, run a van or offer boarding.
Check that your activity covers pet sitting or dog walking specifically, and carry liability insurance in case a pet is injured or lost in your care.
Pet Food and Pet Care Product Registration in Dubai
If you sell or import pet food, treats, shampoos or supplements, registration is a separate step from your trade license.
- Pet food: Registered with MOCCAE, with label checks and import clearance at Dubai level. Registration is commonly quoted at about AED 675 per product and often takes two to four weeks.
- Pet care products: Shampoos, sprays and grooming products may need product registration with Dubai Municipality depending on the product type.
- Labels: Must be in Arabic and English, with ingredients, nutrition, batch number, expiry date and target species.
Selling online as well? Add an e-commerce license, and consider a warehouse license for stock.
Pet Registration in Dubai: What Business Owners Should Know
Customers often ask pet businesses about registration, so it helps to know the basics. In Dubai, cats and dogs are registered and microchipped through licensed vets, which upload the details to Dubai Municipality. Boarding and daycare businesses should ask for registration and vaccination records before accepting any pet. This protects your other clients and your license.
Mobile Grooming, Boarding and Pet Transport Requirements
Some pet models carry extra rules beyond the trade license.
Mobile pet grooming van
- The vehicle needs a proper water supply, drainage and safe electrical setup
- It must be registered and approved for commercial use
- Your license should list mobile grooming as an activity
Pet boarding and daycare facility
- Separate areas for dogs and cats, plus an isolation room for sick animals
- Good ventilation, cooling and easy to clean surfaces
- Vaccination checks and clear intake records for every pet
- Staff trained in animal handling and first aid
Pet transport and relocation
- An activity that covers animal transport
- Vehicles fitted for safe, cooled travel
- For international moves, knowledge of MOCCAE import permits and pet health certificate rules
Approvals for these models can take longer, so plan your timeline before you sign a lease or buy a van.
Step by Step Process to Get a Pet Care License in Dubai
- Choose your business model. Grooming, sitting, walking, boarding, pet shop, trading or vet clinic.
- Pick your structure. Home license, freelance permit or mainland company. Our mainland company formation team can advise.
- Reserve a trade name and get initial approval from DET.
- Lease premises and register Ejari, if you need a shop, salon or boarding facility.
- Get veterinary, premises and Civil Defence approvals from the relevant authority.
- Register pet food and products if you will sell them.
- Issue your trade license.
- Apply for visas, open a bank account and launch.
Our PRO services team can handle approvals for you.
Documents Required
- Passport copies and photos of shareholders
- Emirates ID (for residents)
- Trade name reservation and initial approval
- Ejari tenancy contract (if applicable)
- Facility layout and equipment list
- Vet qualifications (for clinics)
- Product documents for registration (for pet food and products)
VAT and Corporate Tax for Pet Businesses
- VAT: Mandatory registration once taxable sales exceed AED 375,000 a year. The standard rate is 5%.
- Corporate tax: 0% on profit up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it.
- Check rules with the Federal Tax Authority. Our VAT consultancy and corporate tax teams can help.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Running pet sitting or grooming without a license through social media
- Choosing an activity that does not cover boarding or animal sales
- Selling unregistered pet food or shampoos
- Accepting pets without vaccination and registration records
- Ignoring liability insurance
Expert Tip from Adil Ahmad
Start smaller than you think. Many of my most successful pet clients began with a licensed pet sitting or mobile grooming service, built a loyal client list in one community, then opened a salon or boarding facility once demand was proven. It is far easier to get approvals for a facility when you already know your customers.
Need a business account for card payments? We support business bank account opening. Thinking about the kingdom? Read our guide on starting a veterinary clinic in Saudi Arabia or our business setup in Saudi Arabia service. For everything else, start with our guide to business setup in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need to open a pet care business in Dubai?
You need a DET trade license with the right pet care activity, plus any veterinary, premises or product approvals linked to your services.
How much does a pet care license cost in Dubai?
The trade license usually costs about AED 12,000 to 25,000 a year. A small salon typically needs AED 120,000 to 250,000 in total.
Do I need a license for pet sitting in Dubai?
Yes. You need a license to take payment for pet sitting. Residents may be able to start with a home business license.
How do I get a dog walking license in Dubai?
Apply for a trade license, home license or freelance permit that covers dog walking, and carry liability insurance.
What license do I need to open a pet shop in Dubai?
A pet shop needs a DET trade license for pet and pet supplies trading, and veterinary approval if you sell live animals.
Do I need to register pet food in Dubai?
Yes. Pet food is registered with MOCCAE before sale, with labels in Arabic and English.
How do I get a veterinary clinic license in Dubai?
You need a trade license, a licensed veterinarian and a veterinary clinic licence from Dubai’s veterinary authority.
Can foreigners own a pet care business in Dubai?
Many service activities on the mainland can be fully foreign owned. Confirm your activity with DET before applying.
Start Your Pet Care Business with Gulf Corporate Services
From activity selection to veterinary approvals and product registration, we handle the full setup. Book a free consultation with our business setup consultants today.
