The ease in availability of Chinese-made pet supplies and accessories have prompted almost all pet shops at Souq Waqif to use and sell such products, it is learnt.

Cages of various sizes and designs used for birds, dogs, cats, and reptiles, as well as other pets, are all made in China, according to a Qatari pet shop owner.
“Nearly everything is readily available and we get the volume we ordered in a week or less at reasonable prices,” he stressed as he compares the promptness of suppliers of Chinese-made products to that of others.
He said pet shops also get the actual design of the items or equipment they want, giving them better options to market and sell these products.
The Chinese-made items, either made of plastic, wood, metals or other materials, include bird nesting, pet toys, grit and sand, feeders and drinkers, dog and cat bowls, leads and collars, clothing, and cage accessories, among others.
Aquariums of various designs and sizes are also made in China while fishes are shipped from Singapore, according to a pet shop employee. Birds such as parrots, on the other hand, come from countries like Africa, Thailand, and Pakistan.
“If we order these supplies from other suppliers, it will take a minimum of three months before we get them, so what will happen to our business?” the pet shop owner pointed out.
The owner also vouched for the quality and durability of such items, rejecting claims that products from China are substandard.
This was echoed by a salesman at another pet shop saying almost 100% of what they sell is made in China and preferred by many of their customers.
He noted that the price difference between Chinese-made items and those from other countries, which is quite high, also prompted them to stick to the former.
“We will have a hard time convincing customers to buy products other than the ones we offer now because of prices. Though expensive, the quality of the products by other suppliers is almost the same,” he said.
Asked about the demand for both pets and pet supplies in the country, he lamented that business has slowed down for more than a year now.
Unlike in previous years, he said their sales remains “very low” these days, supposed to be the start of the peak period.
However, shop owners expressed optimism that the situation will improve in the coming months due to the continuously growing population.