Riyadh - Post Report Question and Answers
Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes, there are some good vets in Riyadh, but for dogs especially it does require some work to find the infrastructure. But it is there. Lots of cats/birds/other animals. The pet souks can be pretty wild. Saudis are generally not dog people, but it's slowly changing. - Dec 2024
No, they don't need to be quarantined, but you must go through a huge amount of work to obtain an import permit for them (as a "guard dog"), and they absolutely cannot be transported during the summer. There was a vet on the military base, and he pointed us to a local vet clinic that was very good.
Interestingly enough, I found that the Saudis are curious about dogs, even if they claim not to like them. On one occasion my husband was walking our dog on the DQ, and a car with a Saudi family stopped. The father asked if his kids could "meet" our dog. My husband said yes and got her to sit. The kids got out of the car, lined up, waved to our dog, got back in the car and drove off. A real life encounter with a dog! In another instance, I was walking our dog when a man shouted from a passing car, "Nice looking dog!" then proceeded to follow me home. That worried me a bit, but it turned out he was with a female friend, which was surprising in itself, and they both loved dogs. I wish I had taken a picture of them sitting on the sidewalk petting our dog. We kept in touch, and they became good acquaintances. - Oct 2017
I don't think they need to be quarantined. I'm not sure about quality veterinary care given most Saudis'(and Muslims') aversion to dogs. An Embassy officer had stones thrown at her and her pet while walking her dog inside the DQ! - May 2016
I think so. - Nov 2015
There is one vet that everyone is using. You need lots of documents to bring pet in. Dogs tend to be stolen. - Oct 2015
Best not to bring a pet. It is hard to get them out of the country. Dogs are not welcomed here. If you bring them, arrive in the winter because they will be quarantined. There are lots of cats here everywhere if you are a cat lover. Get one here. - Jan 2015
No. - Sep 2014
No, they don't need to be quarantined, but you must go through a huge amount of work to obtain an import permit for them, and they absolutely cannot be transported during the summer. I have heard there is a vet on the military base but have yet so see it, and I have heard of one local vet. Given how much the Saudis dislike dogs, though, it's hard to imagine that this vet is too familiar with dogs. What I have found, though, is that the Saudis are curious about dogs, even if they claim not to like them. So on several occasions we'd be walking our dog and a car with a Saudi family would stop. The father would ask if his kids can "meet" our dog. We say yes and get her to sit. The kids get out of the car, wave at our dog, get back in and drive off. A real life encounter with a dog! - Mar 2014
Our pets do not need to be quarantined. There are vets and kennels available. Not many but there are some. - Dec 2013
Yes, for six months. And, do not bring you pet - most locals see dogs as dirty and will treat them with disgust. There are no vets or kennels here. - Oct 2013
No. - Jul 2010
No. - Mar 2010
I don't think so. - Jan 2010
No. - Dec 2009
