What we know about Iran’s new dog-walking ban beyond Tehran

Dog owners in Iran are facing new restrictions as cities outside the capital, Tehran, begin implementing bans on walking dogs in public.

Although pet ownership has not been officially outlawed, Iranian authorities have long regarded dogs as “unclean,” a view rooted in religious beliefs. This perception dates back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when Iran became an Islamic state.

Iranian authorities also associate pet dog ownership with Western cultural influence and a symbol of the ousted monarchy.

Backed by science?

A study by Shahid Beheshti University outlines several strategies to manage stray dogs in Tehran.

One of the recommendations involves stricter regulation of dog ownership. Authorities are urged to identify large domestic breeds and require them to be neutered and officially registered, as unregulated breeding contributes to the growth of the stray population.

To enhance accountability, the study supports mandatory microchipping and registration of all dogs. The research encourages Iranian authorities to implement a similar system, requiring owners to maintain updated registration records and ensure chips are checked annually by veterinarians.

A long way 

In 2010, Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance banned advertisements for pets or pet-related products.

Authorities first introduced bans on dogs in public spaces in 2019 in Tehran, citing concerns over public order, health and safety. The ban in Iran’s capital has led to fines and occasional arrests of dog owners, though enforcement has been described as inconsistent and mostly ineffective.

A similar attempt was made in 2014 to penalize dog-walkers with fines and floggings, but the bill did not pass.

In 2021, 75 Iranian lawmakers condemned dog ownership as a “destructive social problem” that could “gradually change the Iranian and Islamic way of life.”

6 years after the Tehran ban, similar restrictions, including a ban on transporting dogs in vehicles, are being extended to at least 18 other cities nationwide. 

Pet population 

Accurate pet ownership statistics are unavailable for Iran, but the country’s Veterinary Organization estimated that in 2022, Iranians kept between 6 to 8 million dogs and cats. This suggests that roughly 1 in every 10 people owns a pet.

In a 2023 survey conducted by Iran Open Data, 76% of respondents stated that they had a pet. Of these, the majority (58%) said they owned a dog. 

Additionally, 64% of respondents reported taking their pets outside the house. However, 48% said they had received warnings or other objections from the police while doing so.

Market overview 

According to data from Statista, in 2025, Iran’s pet food market is projected to reach $916.7 million (€788.8M). The market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.5% between 2025 and 2030.

However, the business intelligence platform also notes that growth in Iran’s pet food market has remained limited due to several factors, including low consumer awareness of commercial pet food benefits, tight disposable income and the continued prevalence of traditional feeding practices.

In 2020, Iran’s pet food and forage crop exports to Europe peaked at €22 million ($25.6M). According to the European Union, this figure dropped to €11 million ($12.8M) in 2021 but rebounded to €19 million ($22.1M) in 2022.

By 2024, export value climbed to €21 million ($24.4M), marking a 61.5% year-on-year increase from €13 million ($15.1M) in 2023.