Every week, families leave the Dubai Birds and Pets Market in Al Warsan with a new kitten, puppy, parrot or rabbit. The excitement lasts for days. Then Sunday comes, the house empties out for work and school, and a very young animal is suddenly alone for nine hours.
This guide is about that moment. It explains what each kind of pet needs when you are not home, and how Pawland helps.
Young Pets Don’t Cope Well Alone
Most animals sold at the market are only a few weeks or months old. A kitten or puppy eats several small meals a day. A parrot needs company to stay calm. A rabbit can become ill quickly if it stops eating, and nobody notices.
Dubai life makes this harder. Workdays are long, summers are hot, and most residents fly out at least once a year. A neighbour popping in is rarely enough, and a kennel can frighten an animal that has only just learned where its bed is.
What a new pet needs is simple: one person it knows, following the routine you have set. There are three ways we do that.
- At your home. A sitter visits, or stays overnight, and your pet keeps its own bed, bowls and habits.
- At the sitter’s home. Your pet moves in with a sitter for the days you are away. No cages, no kennels.
- On the lead. For dogs, a walker handles the exercise on days you can’t.
If You Brought Home a Cat
Persians, Maine Coons and mixed-breed kittens are some of the most popular animals at the market. Cats attach themselves to places as much as people. Move them somewhere unfamiliar and many will hide, stop eating or sulk for days.
That is why most cat owners prefer a sitter who visits the cat at home. On each visit the sitter puts out fresh food and water, cleans the litter tray, plays for a while and checks that your cat is eating and behaving normally. Medication is given if needed.
Kittens and very sociable cats sometimes need more company than a visit can give. For them, boarding in a sitter’s home works better. There is a sofa, a window to watch from and a person nearby most of the day.
More than 1,400 cat parents have trusted us so far. You keep the same sitter on every booking, so your cat is greeted by someone it recognises.
If You Brought Home a Dog
Pomeranians, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers all leave the market as small puppies. They don’t stay small, and their need for exercise and company grows with them.
On working days, a puppy needs someone to break up the hours. A sitter can come to your home during the day for meals, toilet breaks and play, or stay overnight when you are travelling.
As your dog gets older, exercise becomes the bigger need. Our dog walkers go out early in the morning and after sunset to avoid the heat. They match the pace to your dog’s age and energy and walk one dog at a time. They have done over 8,000 walks.
For holidays, many owners don’t want a kennel. With home boarding, your dog lives with a sitter as part of the household. It sleeps indoors, eats at its usual times and gets walked every day. We have arranged more than 1,000 of these stays.
If You Brought Home a Bird
Al Warsan is best known for its birds. African Greys, Macaws, Cockatoos, lovebirds, canaries and finches fill whole sections of the market.
Birds are more sensitive than they look. They need fresh food and water every day, a clean cage and regular interaction. A parrot left alone over a long weekend may stop eating or start pulling out feathers.
We have sitters who are experienced with birds. They can visit your home each day, or look after your bird at theirs while you travel. Either way, they follow your bird’s diet and daily rhythm closely.
If You Brought Home a Rabbit
Rabbits are a common first pet for children. They are quiet and gentle, but they are not low-maintenance. They need constant hay, fresh greens, a clean enclosure and time to stretch their legs. A rabbit that goes off its food needs attention within hours, so a daily check really matters.
Our rabbit sitters top up hay and water, clean the enclosure, handle your rabbit gently and keep an eye on its appetite and droppings.
More Than One Pet at Home
Plenty of homes end up with a cat and a bird, or a dog and a rabbit. You don’t need separate arrangements for each. One sitter can care for all your pets in a single visit, and weekends and public holidays are covered.
How It Works
- Tell us about your pet. Share your dates, your pet’s age and its daily routine through our booking form.
- We match you with a sitter. We hand-pick someone who suits your pet’s species and temperament.
- You meet. A meet and greet lets your pet and the sitter get comfortable with each other.
- You get on with your day. The sitter follows your instructions, and our team is on hand if you need anything.
Why Families Come Back to Us
- Your pet sees the same sitter each time and builds real trust.
- Sitters are vetted and chosen by us, not left to chance.
- Every booking is covered by the Pawland Guarantee.
- We are the highest reviewed pet sitting company in the UAE.
- We work across all seven emirates, so care continues if you move.
A Quick Note on the Market Itself
The market is in Warsan 3, off Al Awir Road, near International City. Shops usually open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Go in the cooler hours, bring a ventilated carrier and drive straight home.
If a new pet is coming home with you this week, sort out its care before your first full workday. It is much easier to arrange calmly than in a rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
We care for cats, dogs, birds and rabbits, either in your home or in a sitter's home.
No. Sitters follow your feeding schedule and give young animals the frequent meals, breaks and company they need.
Yes. You get a dedicated sitter, so your pet isn't meeting a stranger on each booking.
No. Your pet lives in a family home. There are no cages and no crowds.
