When someone mentions Dubai, the first things that come to mind are luxury and grandeur. However, the core of Dubai isn’t made up of impressive buildings or its lively atmosphere. As with any other city on Earth, the heart of Dubai is its wonderful and emphatic people. And like any other people, the locals here keep plenty of pets that they like to take on fun activities. As a result, you can find many pet-friendly tours in Dubai. These include scenic places to visit where you’d probably love to snap a pic for your pet’s Insta and plenty of dog-friendly parks. Of course, safety is a priority for any pet owner. That’s why you should take every precaution before taking your pet out in Dubai. You should familiarize yourself with local weather and how people here care for their furry pals. With that in mind, check out our guide below!
Before Taking Your Pet On an Outdoor Adventure
If you ask locals for advice before exploring pet-friendly tours in Dubai, they’ll probably recommend you groom your pet first. This isn’t pageantry, and don’t take it as such — pet owners here turn to professional grooming more often because of the extremely warm weather. Temperatures can get pretty high during the day in Dubai, and many pet breeds won’t be comfortable with that fact. This goes double for dogs and other pets with thick fur. That’s the primary reason you should take your furry pal for professional grooming before taking them out — especially if you intend on spending a lot of time outside.
Local pet groomers can help you with the coat trimming your pet needs to be comfortable in the Dubai heat. Besides that, they handle all the other basics, including paw cleaning and nail clipping. A quick grooming will also reduce the risk of the heat and constant movement irritating your pet’s skin, especially during longer outings.
Top Pet-Friendly Outdoor Destinations in Dubai
You can find plenty of cool pet-friendly tours that you will love, especially if you and your pet are traveling to Dubai from abroad. Just make sure you’re compliant with Dubai import laws if such is the case. With the right guides, you’ll visit many walking routes and places your pets will enjoy. There, they’ll be able to play, run, and explore safely. If you want to choose a place yourself, here are a few suggestions:
- BarkPark Dubai is one of the most popular outdoor retreats for dogs in the city. It has plenty of spaces where it’s safe to let your dog run around without a leash. You can also take them through specially designed agility courses. And when it’s time to cool off and relax, BarkPark even has dedicated dog swimming pools. This is a strong candidate if you want a safe place where your dogs can have fun and socialize in Dubai.
- The Greens Dog Park — depending on your location, this is another strong contender since it’s right in the city’s heart. Your doggies can freely play around while you and other owners relax. Also, the park has many places where your pet can rest in the shade. If you don’t bring enough water, there are water stations too. So, the heat won’t be an issue, which is important for Dubai.
- Dubai Islands Beach — you can’t take pets on most beaches here, but this is a welcome exception. However, don’t spend too much time outside with your dog. Because of high temperatures, it’s ideal to take your pet to the beach either early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Anything in between will be too hot.
Some Essential Tips
Exploring Dubai with a pet can be fun. However, if you want them to stay safe and healthy, prepare for outings adequately. Dubai’s hot weather will affect your pets — and you need to plan for that. Since it’s so warm, you need to keep them hydrated at all times. This is especially important when exploring long walking routes that lead outside of Dubai. Don’t leave your residence or hotel without a portable bowl and plenty of fresh water.
Check if your destination has water stations or places that sell water before leaving. Most pet-friendly places in Dubai give you access to fresh water, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Furthermore, you need to respect local pet regulations. Check if a place allows pets off leashes before letting your dog run around. As you’ll see, most public spaces require dog owners to keep their pets on a leash — with the notable exception of some beaches and parks.
Following these rules isn’t just common decency. It also ensures the safety of your pets in busy areas with many people. And while being a responsible pet owner is important anywhere, people in Dubai particularly appreciate such behavior. So, it’s advisable to always clean up after your pet and be decent to other visitors and locals. Most places have bins where you can dispose of waste, and people will appreciate you cleaning up after your doggo.
Be Careful With New Environments
Try not to plan too many with your pet at once, and make sure to choose your tour guide wisely. Depending on where in Dubai you visit, the city can be hectic for a nervous pet. It’s smart to hire a professional tour guide or ask one for guidance. Ideally, visit new places for a short period of time and see how your pet behaves. If they’re not overwhelmed, feel free to stay longer. Otherwise, find a quiet spot where they can calm down, and try giving them some praise and treats. If those fail to win them over, ultimately, it may be easier to go somewhere more peaceful. If you plan on staying in Dubai longer, you can also try to revisit the same dog-friendly spots and give your pet some room to acclimate over time.
Wrapping Up
Over time, Dubai is catering to pet owners more and more. That’s clear from the increasing number of pet-friendly tours in Dubai, of which there were fewer before. Today, you can choose from many restaurants and outdoor spaces that accept pets — as well as tons of quality dog-grooming places. To make the most of your stay in Dubai, follow pet etiquette and prepare for every outing with your dog.