Who’s a good boy then? The top pet-friendly places in Abu Dhabi
The number of public parks, restaurants and communities in Abu Dhabi that allow pets is rising. Things have changed tremendously in the last few years, with more people adopting pets in the capital. The UAE government has also made special efforts to increase awareness about animal rights and their protection in the country. Today, we have put together a list of pet-friendly places in Abu Dhabi that you can check out with your adorable furry friends.
PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN ABU DHABI
Residents of the capital no longer have to worry about leaving their pets unattended at home as they go around town. These pet-friendly restaurants in Abu Dhabi allow you to sit with your dogs outdoors if they are trained to be comfortable around strangers while on a leash.
Please remember that even the pet-friendly restaurants in Abu Dhabi do not allow dogs indoors, so you will have to keep them on a leash, close to you, in the outdoor dining spaces.
SALT
Salt – the food truck parked outside the entrance of Umm Al Emarat Park is the perfect spot to relax after exploring the green spaces. Scores of colourful chairs add to the eatery’s quirkiness. This quirky dog-friendly restaurant in Abu Dhabi is one of the hidden gems to add to your list of must-try eateries in the city.
- Location: Umm Al Emarat Park
- Contact: +971-55-996-7381
- Timings: 09:00 am to 03:00 am | 09:00 am to 12:00 pm (breakfast)
NOLU’S CAFE
Nolu’s is a good place for your puppy to relax amidst spectacular views of the sun, sand and sea. This unique fusion restaurant combines classic Afghan flavours and California’s favourite street foods ← , just the kind of place to celebrate special occasions with your four-legged friends. If you are looking for more reasons to visit, Nolu’s Cafe is also considered one of the top healthy food restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
- Location: Al Maryah Island
- Contact: +971-2-644-1516
- Timings: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
SPORTSMAN’S ARMS
The family-centric gastropub, famous for outdoor sports activities in Abu Dhabi, also welcomes your furry family members to enjoy a meal in beautiful terraced spaces. Your dogs can lie down and enjoy the outdoor views as you sip on a refreshing drink in this pet-friendly restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Sportsman’s Arms is among the best sports bars in Abu Dhabi as well, so you can stay up to date on the latest sporting action.
- Location: Zayed Sports City
- Contact: +971-2-447-1066
- Timings: 08:00 am to 12:00 am | 08:00 am to 01:00 am (Thursday and Friday)
PET-FRIENDLY PARKS IN ABU DHABI
Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows how difficult it is to contain the energy and enthusiasm of your pooch in the limited space of your home. They need lots of room to run around, which makes the pet-friendly places in Abu Dhabi perfect for them.
Al Khubeira Dog Park
Those searching for pet-friendly places in Abu Dhabi now have a new place to bring their fur babies, Al Khubeira dog park. The gated park opened earlier in 2022 and includes plenty of green spaces for your pet to run around, litter bins, pup-sized drinking resources and play equipment. The best part? It has separate areas for small and large canines. Plus, dogs are allowed to be off-leash in the park.
Pet owners should note that only dogs that have been vaccinated are allowed entry at Al Khubeira Park. They must also be older than six months.
- Location: Al Khubeira Street, Abu Dhabi
- Timings: 06:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sheikha Fatima Park
Sheikha Fatima Park has been a go-to place for pet owners since it opened. It has a separate pet park. Apart from a pet park, the space features an indoor climbing facility, splash area, skate park and play area.
- Location: Al Bateen
- Timings: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
CLOUD 9
There are very few catteries and kennels in the UAE to leave your pet during a family holiday. Cloud 9 is undoubtedly one of the exceptions, where the team is highly attentive to the needs of your dogs and cats. You can happily leave your animals at this pet resort. Apart from boarding, Cloud 9 offers veterinary, dog walking services, and even a daycare service.
- Location: Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971-2-556-4111
- Timings: 08:00 am to 10:00 pm | 08:00 am to 09:00 pm (Friday)
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH)
A hospital for the royal falcons might seem like the last place to take your pets for a jaunty outdoor stroll, but it’s grown into one of the best dog-friendly spaces in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital has its own Dog Agility Park perfect for canines of all sizes.
They also offer agility training which includes a basic level for new pups and adult dogs that have never received proper training. Once your pet has completed the introductory course, you can proceed to the advanced level done off-leash.
- Location: Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
- Contact:+971-2-575-5155
- Timings: 08:00 am to 06:00 pm (Closed on public holidays and Saturdays)
PET-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES IN ABU DHABI
After popular places that you can visit with your pets, here are some of the most pet-friendly residential communities in Abu Dhabi where you can live with your animal friends.
AL REEF
Most properties in Al Reef allow pets. If you buy or rent a house in Al Reef Villas, you can say goodbye to all your pet-related worries. Given its popularity as a pet-friendly community in Abu Dhabi, many pet parents prefer to live here. Hence, there is a large community of people with shared interests. That’s always a good start when selecting a place to live, isn’t it?
REEM ISLAND
Reem Island, a popular residential area in the capital, is also one of the few pet-friendly communities in Abu Dhabi. Not all buildings allow pets, so it would be wise to consult with the landlord first. The green spaces in Al Reem Island also work as pet-friendly parks for dog walking.
ZAYED SPORTS CITY
Properties in Zayed Sports City are also pet-friendly. You can buy or rent apartments in Rihan Heights and lead a peaceful and happy life with your furry friends.
SAS AL NAKHL VILLAGE
The self-contained modern villas in Sas Al Nakhl Village by the master-developer Aldar Properties offer extensive spaces for pets to roam around. The development has a few pet-friendly villas in Abu Dhabi, perfect for families with larger pets requiring more room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I drop my pet off in the capital?
Your pet cannot be with you everywhere you go, especially if you are an avid traveller. To ensure that they are cared for while you are away, book their accommodations at the pet hotels in Abu Dhabi. The list includes Cloud 9 and Falcon Hospital.
Are there any reliable vets in Abu Dhabi?
If your pet gets sick, don’t fret. Just take them to any popular veterinary clinics in Abu Dhabi like the New Veterinary Clinic and National Veterinary Clinic.
If you have just moved to the capital and left your fur baby behind, check out how you can relocate your pet to Abu Dhabi. You will be reunited in no time!
Where can I adopt a pet?
Many animals are looking for forever homes at animal shelters in Abu Dhabi. Just pay a visit to Feline Friends or Strays of Abu Dhabi, among others. Need to shop for the essentials for the newest member of the family? The top pet shops in Abu Dhabi will have what you need.
As you can see, things are looking bright for pet owners in Abu Dhabi. Many communities in the city are open to the idea of allowing pets. Before moving into any home as a tenant, it is wise to check whether a landlord allows pets on the property.
If you want to move to the neighbouring emirate with your pup, check out these excellent pet-friendly places in Dubai. There are some pet-friendly communities as well as pet-friendly parks in Dubai.
Do you know of any other pet-friendly places in Abu Dhabi we may have missed? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments.
Disclaimer: These permissions are subject to change, so kindly verify before heading to these pet-friendly places in Abu Dhabi.
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Third Place at Khalidiyah stopped allowing dogs last year. Have they revised their policy now?
Thank you for checking in Pranjal, when we called they said that dogs are allowed now in the outdoor areas on a leash. We would recommend that you check with them, before taking your pooch along, just to double check!
I went to Al Bateen Beach today, dogs are not allowed.
Hello Ann. We are sorry to hear that! At the time of writing the article, the Al Bateen open beach was open to dogs, but they may have revised their policy recently. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. We recommend that before heading to any of the places mentioned in the post, you might do well to call up and quickly check if they are still allowing pets.