Bringing a dog or cat to Saudi Arabia
Cats are fairly easy: get an import permit on MEWA's Anaam platform before flying. Dogs are restricted: guard, hunting and guide dogs are the traditional exceptions, other dogs need prior written approval, and many large or bull-type breeds are refused.
Which rules apply to you
Saudi Arabia sorts arriving pets by where they travel from. Find your group, then follow its steps.
| Arriving from | Titer test | Wait after sample | Permit | Quarantine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All permitted origin countriesImports are allowed only from countries listed on the Anaam platform. MEWA can refuse countries because of their animal-health status. | No | — | Yes | Only if rules not met |
Step by step
Check your dog is eligible
Dogs other than guard, hunting or guide dogs need prior written approval, and many breeds are refused (see banned breeds). Confirm with MEWA before booking.
Microchip and vaccinate
Microchip or other approved ID, and a rabies vaccine with at least 6 months of validity left on arrival (given at least 30 days before export).
Apply for the import permit on Anaam
Upload the vet health certificate, pet passport or vaccination record with the chip number, the owner's ID or passport, and a photo of the pet. The permit is valid 30 days and names the entry port.
Get official export papers
Original veterinary health certificate endorsed by your government vet authority, the vaccination record, and a certificate of origin with each shipment.
Fly via the permitted port
The airline must hold prior permission to carry the animal. Do not route through countries banned from exporting animals to Saudi Arabia.
Pets arriving without a permit are sent back to the country of origin. MEWA can schedule arrivals based on quarantine capacity.
Good to know
- Cats
- No breed or use restrictions for cats. MEWA asks that cats be free of parasites, especially Toxoplasma.
- Banned breeds
- Pit Bull types, Rottweiler, Boxer, Mastiff types (incl. Bullmastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff), Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario, English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Leonberger, Hovawart, Japanese Akita, Lancashire Heeler, Swedish Vallhund, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Chinese Spitz, Affenpinscher, Griffon Bruxellois
- How many pets
- Not specified.
- Parasite treatment
- Not specified for dogs. Cats must be free of parasites (Toxoplasma mentioned).
- Arrival
- Only the port named on the import permit. The airline must have prior permission to carry the animal.
- Residents taking a pet out and back can get an exit-and-return permit on Anaam, for up to 60 days away.
- For dogs entering for a race, a copy of the race invitation is required.
- Shipping crates must be new, clean and sterile, and the pet must have no contact with other animals in transit.
What we could not confirm
- The English MEWA PDF lists Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Boxer, Mastiff, Tosa, 'pull dog' and Presa Canario under 'allowed species'. This looks like a translation error for 'banned'. The UK list of 20 excluded breeds supports reading it as banned. Confirm with MEWA.
- The banned-breed list mostly comes from UK export guidance (2025), not from MEWA directly.
- The guard/hunting/guide-dog restriction comes from UK guidance; the current MEWA PDF does not mention it.
- No official titer requirement, minimum age, certificate validity window or pet limit was found.
- The list of eligible origin countries is only shown inside the Anaam platform.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Rules change: confirm with Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) - Anaam platform before booking.