Glossary

Pet care, in plain words.

Short, careful definitions of the terms owners meet in the UAE. For anything about your own pet’s health, ask your vet.

24-hour vet: A clinic that states on its own website that it is open round the clock. Mori marks these and still advises you to phone ahead.

Checked date: The day Mori last read the sources for a listing. Facts can change after it.

Confidence level: How sure Mori is of a listing: official source, published guide or directory listing.

DHPP: A combined vaccine for dogs against distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parvovirus and parainfluenza.

FVRCP: A combined vaccine for cats against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.

Heatstroke: A dangerous rise in body temperature, a real risk for dogs in the UAE summer. Signs include heavy panting, drooling, weakness and collapse. It needs a vet straight away.

Import permit: Permission from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to bring a pet into the UAE. It is applied for before the animal travels.

Maggy: Mori’s pet assistant. She gives general guidance, finds places in Mori’s directory and never diagnoses or suggests doses.

Mews: The enclosure where a falcon is housed.

Microchip: A tiny chip under a pet’s skin with a unique number. In the UAE the number is recorded against the owner and appears on registration and travel paperwork.

Mobile groomer: A groomer who comes to your home in a van instead of you visiting a salon.

Rabies booster: A repeat rabies vaccination given after the first one so protection stays current. In the UAE rabies vaccination is central to registration and import rules.

Titre test: A blood test that measures a pet’s antibody level after rabies vaccination. Some countries ask for it before a pet may enter.

Unverified: On Mori, a listing whose details come from public pages and have not yet been confirmed by the business itself.

Weigh-in: Recording a pet’s weight regularly. For falcons and birds it is done in grams and is a key health signal for falconers.

UAE pet rules at a glance

The rules, in plain words.

Summaries from our checked notes. Where sources disagree we say so, and we link every source. Not legal advice.

Pet registration and microchipping in Dubai

Cats and dogs in Dubai must be microchipped and registered with Dubai Municipality, normally through a licensed vet clinic, and registration is tied to up-to-date vaccinations.

Checked 19 October 2026 · 6 sources: dm.gov.ae, dkc.ae, gulfnews.com

Rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination is required for cats and dogs in the UAE and must be kept current (annual booster is the norm); it is also central to import rules.

Checked 19 October 2026 · 4 sources: moccae.gov.ae, metlife.ae, zoovettravel.com

Leash rules and where dogs are allowed

Dogs must be leashed in public; most public beaches, municipal parks, malls and public transport do not admit dogs. Use designated dog parks, the Dubai Islands dog beach, and venues that explicitly welcome pets.

Checked 19 October 2026 · 9 sources: gulfnews.com, thenationalnews.com, nakheel.com

Banned and restricted dog breeds

The UAE bans certain dog breeds under Annex 2 of Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 (as amended by MOCCAE), with exemptions for service, emotional-support and medical dogs. Lists in secondary sources differ, so always check MOCCAE's current list.

Checked 19 October 2026 · 5 sources: gulfnews.com, moccae.gov.ae, uaelegislation.gov.ae

Bringing a pet into or out of the UAE

Imports need a MOCCAE import permit, ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination (plus titer test from high-risk countries) and an official health certificate; exports need a MOCCAE veterinary health certificate.

Checked 19 October 2026 · 6 sources: moccae.gov.ae, zoovettravel.com, propertyfinder.ae

Walking dogs in Dubai's summer heat

From roughly May to September, walk only very early or late, test the ground with your hand, keep walks short, carry water and know the signs of heatstroke.

Checked 19 October 2026 · 4 sources: gulfnews.com, metlife.ae, companionvetdubai.com

Read the sourced guides

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