The Pet Economy
Today, there’s a powerful shift happening in the pet economy. In the GCC and MENA, it is shifting from niche to mainstream.
Pet ownership is rising, spending per household is growing, and an entire ecosystem is forming; veterinary care, pet food manufacturing, insurance, grooming, boarding, tech-enabled services, ethical products and fashion, even pet-friendly tourism.
The cat economy in particular dominates in cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Beirut, and Amman both in ownership numbers and in cultural influence shaping retail, e-commerce, and social media trends.
But there’s more to the story than sales figures:
1. Regulation & Welfare
- GCC countries like the UAE have tightened rules on stray animal rescue, adoption, and importation, with mandatory registration and microchipping.
- Municipal programs are increasingly adopting TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) policies to manage feral cat populations humanely, reducing both animal suffering and public health risks.
- Licensing requirements for shelters and rescue organisations are shaping a more accountable sector.
2. Social Media & Awareness
- Social media has become the frontline for pet adoption drives and welfare campaigns.
- Influencers are building loyal followings, driving both adoption and donations.
- Viral rescue stories are shifting attitudes, making adoption and neutering more socially accepted.
3. Cultural Sensitivity & Market Entry
- In markets like KSA, pet ownership has traditionally been low but is now surging, particularly among young urban professionals.
- Egypt’s mass-market segment shows high adoption potential, but infrastructure and regulatory clarity still lag, requiring careful navigation.
- GCC markets are projected to expand at double-digit rates in the next five years. MENA as a whole is catching up fast, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar leading in disposable income per pet, while Egypt and Jordan present scale opportunities through volume markets.
LEVEL11 helps mission-first founders, ethical brands, and sector innovators:
- Build market trust through authentic storytelling and purpose-led positioning in welfare and ethics.
- Navigate market entry across GCC and MENA with cultural intelligence.
- Align growth with welfare priorities that balance commercial expansion with animal welfare commitments.
- Engage communities and investors with data-backed narratives that show the pet economy’s economic and social impact.
