Pet Sitting in Abu Dhabi: what to know
Abu Dhabi spreads from the apartment towers of the island and Al Reem to the newer communities on Saadiyat, Yas and Al Raha and the villa suburbs of Khalifa City and Al Reef. Distances are long and many residents commute, so help with daily walks, visits and trips makes a real difference.
Tower living on Al Reem and the Corniche means lifts, lobbies and building pet rules, while villa areas like Khalifa City and Al Reef usually have gardens. Share access details and any community rules with your provider when you book.
Heat and weather in Abu Dhabi
Summers in Abu Dhabi are long and very hot, with daytime highs often above 40°C from May to September and high humidity near the coast. Plan outdoor time for early morning or after dark in summer; winter months are pleasant for longer walks.
Before you leave, check the air-conditioning schedule, leave the sitter a backup plan if the power or AC fails, and make sure fresh water is available in more than one room.
Planning around the seasons in Abu Dhabi
If you travel during school holidays, Eid and the winter break, book your sitter early and arrange a meet-and-greet before you leave. During the hot months (June to September), confirm the air-conditioning stays on while you're away.
Before you book
Sitters who host or visit are reviewed with photos of their home or boarding area as part of verification, and you can agree visit times and routines in the chat.
Keep vaccination records and any municipal registration for your pet current — your provider may ask to see them before the first booking.
OnlyPaw is available worldwide. Because it's a marketplace, the pet sitters you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
Pet Sitting in Abu Dhabi — FAQ
Is pet sitting available in Abu Dhabi?
OnlyPaw is available worldwide. Because it's a marketplace, the pet sitters you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet sitting cost in Abu Dhabi?
Pet sitters in Abu Dhabi set their own prices in AED, so you see each provider's rate before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are pet sitters in Abu Dhabi vetted?
Every pet sitter in Abu Dhabi must submit a government ID, a selfie and photos of their home, and pass a pet-safety knowledge test with a 70% pass mark. The OnlyPaw team reviews each application — and each additional service — before it goes live.
Can a pet sitter in Abu Dhabi look after my cat?
Yes. Cats often do best staying in their own home, and many OnlyPaw sitters care for cats — feeding, litter, play and medication. Mention your cat's routine and any hiding spots in the booking notes.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
