Pet pampering

Slave to love

For some people nothing but the best will do for their beloved pets, and to meet this demand a whole industry of pet pampering has sprung up. Dogs can enjoy makeovers at dog spas, which include hydrotherapy, a consultation with a behaviourist and a tailor-made exercise programme. What next? Life coaches for dogs?

A cat’s independent nature means that there aren’t quite as many pampering products and services for them but you’ll be surprised by just how much there is out there.

Alternative therapies for pets

As our interest in complementary medicine continues to grow, it’s no surprise that pet owners are looking at how alternative therapies can help their beloved companions. While pet insurance doesn’t cover complementary treatments, there are lots of alternative veterinary medicine centres around offering a wide range of treatments for animals including acupuncture, reflexology and reiki.

Canine nuptials

Perhaps the weirdest trend of all is the one for dog weddings. A whole industry has grown up providing all the services you’d expect in a human wedding – bride and groom outfits, wedding cakes (made of dog food, of course).

Where do dogs go for their honeymoon? After a canine pair has tied the knot they can kick back and relax at a luxury dog resort. One dog hotel offers residents their own luxury suite with under-floor heating, adjusted to your dog’s preference, with air conditioning in the summer. And as you’d expect in a luxury hotel, you can add on extras like a course of massage sessions and hydrotherapy. If that sounds extravagant, the US is way ahead – it has luxury hotels like the Ritzy Canine Carriage House which features orthopaedic beds, a rooftop garden and dog yoga classes.

Dog spas

Forget the traditional grooming parlour, dog spas are the way forward. They offer everything from canine hydrotherapy in the form of an indoor heated pool and Jacuzzi to facials and a spell on a dog treadmill to shed those extra post-Christmas pounds. Owners can also book their precious pooch in for a full day of pampering treatments. A hydrobath, for example, involves the removal of dead hair, moisturising their skin, a bubble bath paw treatment, rounded off with a spritz of cologne.

Cat cabin

Being pampered and preened is not as appealing to cats it’s true (they can do that for themselves!), but that hasn’t stopped the demand for pampering products of the feline kind. Cats love hiding and are renowned for sleeping just about anywhere – under cars, inside sheds and dustbin lids. Try the Katkabin, for example, an outdoor, snug, tubular sleeping area where your cat can wait for you to return from work.

Diamond dogs

Four-legged fashionistas strut their stuff every year at the Harrods ‘Pet-a-Porter’ fashion show. With a £2,500 Vivienne Westwood dog coat and a £500,000 diamond and precious jewel collar by British jeweller Stephen Webster, it’s a real star-studded show.

Other companies take a more tongue-in-cheek approach, like Growler Couture, which sells Hells Angels-style leather jackets and hoodies along with the more conservative Swarovski crystal-studded collars. Wowbow is just one company cashing in on pet owners’ discerning taste when it comes to furniture. They offer designer acrylic beds for dogs with faux suede cushions and matching dining tables with two holes to cradle your dog’s food and water bowls. It’s safe to say that our pets have never had it so good!

Related information

Alternative health for pets – complimentary medicines are becoming increasingly popular with pet owners – just make sure you use a qualified practitioner.
Dog theft – some breeds are being increasingly targeted in the UK – here’s how to keep your four-legged friend safe.
Moving house with your pet – a major change of location can be very disruptive for your pet so don’t forget their needs during your house move.