Walk into any pet shop in Dubai and you face hundreds of pet foods across a huge price range. Premium brands sit next to budget ones. Raw feeders contradict kibble fans. Social media pushes whichever brand is trending. Here is what actually matters when you decide what to feed your dog or cat.
Read the label first
The first ingredient on the label should be a named animal protein: chicken, salmon, lamb, beef or turkey. Not "meat meal", not "animal derivatives", not "poultry by-products". A named protein means you know what your pet is eating, and this one check rules out most of the lowest-quality foods.
Avoid foods where the first three ingredients are grains or fillers such as corn, wheat, soy or rice. These are cheap calories with little nutritional value for carnivorous and omnivorous pets. A little grain is fine, but it should not be the foundation of the diet. Look for foods labelled "complete and balanced" to AAFCO or FEDIAF standards.
What to feed a dog
For dogs, the ideal diet contains 25 to 30 percent protein (higher for puppies and active breeds), 10 to 15 percent fat, and includes omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine (for joints, especially in larger breeds) and the right amount of fibre. Our new puppy checklist covers how many meals a puppy needs as they grow.
What to feed a cat
Cats are obligate carnivores, and their needs are very different from a dog's. Cat food must be high in animal protein (at least 30 percent, ideally more), contain taurine (an essential amino acid cats cannot make for themselves) and carry enough moisture. Dry food alone can add to chronic dehydration and urinary problems, so a mix of wet and dry food, or mostly wet food, is best. For a new kitten, the first 30 days checklist sets out meals by age.
Raw feeding
Raw feeding is popular in the UAE. It can be done well, but it carries risks that are often played down: bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, nutritional gaps if the diet is not formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, and bone fragments that can injure the gut. If you choose to feed raw, work with a vet who specialises in nutrition so the diet is complete and balanced.
Portions, weight and an overweight pet
Portions matter as much as food quality. Obesity is one of the most common nutritional problems in pets in the UAE, and an overweight pet is at higher risk of diabetes, joint disease, heart disease, breathing problems and a shorter life. Use the feeding guide on the packet as a starting point, then adjust to your pet's shape. At every health check, your vet weighs them and gives a Body Condition Score (whether they are the right weight for their frame), and can show you how to check it at home.
Treats
Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your pet's daily calories. Many pet parents underestimate how many calories treats carry, and a single dental chew can take up a large share of a small dog's day. Count treats inside the daily food allowance, not on top of it.
Foods that are toxic to pets
Chocolate (dark is the worst), grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sugar-free sweetener, which can act within 15 to 30 minutes), macadamia nuts, alcohol, caffeine, avocado (toxic to birds) and cooked bones (which splinter and can pierce the gut). Keep these out of reach at all times. If your pet eats any of them, it is an emergency: our emergency page shows what to do right now, and common household poisons covers the rest of the home.
Water in the UAE heat
Fresh water should be available at all times, and pets here drink more than in cooler countries. Change the water at least twice a day and clean the bowls daily. A pet water fountain can help, because moving, filtered water encourages drinking. Good hydration supports digestion, the kidneys, temperature control and a healthy coat.
