Canine spas offer more than pampering. Canine spas provide treatments such as hydrotherapy that reduce pain and inflammation and improve mobility and range of motion.
Like most people, most dogs love spas. And fortunately, the owners of canine spas understand that, similar to human consumers, our family pets have their own individual preferences and needs. Whereas some dogs may drool at the thought of canine yoga and love socializing in classes, other dogs prefer a soapy massage, a hot oil shampoo, or a coaching session on the aquatic treadmill. In addition, the benefits of canine spas go beyond the aesthetic. Canine spas are known to benefit the emotional, endocrine, nervous, neuromuscular, and immune systems of our pets.
Overall, the health and wellness benefits of spas for our canine friends are many. Pampering, cleaning, and brushing treatments offer spiritual and emotional benefits, and the sense of relaxation induced by spa therapies aids immune system health.
Hydrotherapy offers additional therapeutic benefits for dogs recovering from injury or surgery, or who suffer from symptoms related to aging, chronic neuromuscular conditions, diabetes, and arthritis.
Health Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Some of the conditions that benefit from hydrotherapy include:
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Arthritis
- Degenerative Neuromuscular Conditions
- Spastic Muscular Disorders
- Nerve Damage (Neuropathies)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- Recovery from Injuries
- Hip Dysplasia
Finding a A Canine Spa
Canine spas are available in most communities, and large cities generally contain several canine spas. Listings of canine spas can be found at DogGeek and QP Luxury.
Due to popular demand, some dog spas have expanded and offer their services at multiple locations. For instance, Dogtopia, formerly known as Happy Trails Dog Spa, now offers canine spa facilities in Texas, Maryland and Virginia. Amy Nichols, the founder of Dogtopia, is well known for sending canine supplies, including the dog goggles known as doggles, to canine troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The owners of the Aquadog Spa in Kent Washington write that canine massage may be the best therapy for arthritis because it relieves pain, increases circulation, decreases muscle tension, and increases balance and coordination.
Manhattan Canine Spas
At Soho’s Pupculture Dog Spa, Veronica Burke provides therapeutic sessions known as Body Works by Veronica, which are based on the Silva Method and Feldenkrais.
On the East Side, The Ritzy Canine Carriage House offers room service spa meals, private suites, and limousine service as well as massages combining Reiki, myofascial release and acupressure.
At the Doggie-do and Pussycats Too, canine hosts Jessica and Trevor greet guests, who enjoy soapy massages and hand-scissor haircuts.
At Biscuits and Baths, dogs with skin sensitivities are given oatmeal baths, and dogs with matted hair are given hot oil treatments.
Canine Spas in England
Aquatic treadmill sessions are a feature of the Cherry Tree Hydrotherapies Spas in England. Aquatic treadmill, swimming, and other water sports are reported to improve mobility and increase muscle tone, range of motion, and fitness in dogs with paralysis.
Spa Services
Services vary at individual spas. Most spas offer a minimum of deep brushing, botanical shampoos, and grooming. Other services include hand-scissor haircuts, ear cleaning, gland expressing, acupuncture, acupressure, massage therapy, hydrotherapy, water sports, myofascial release, and Reiki treatments.
Resources:
- Nicole Feliciano, Spas go to the Dogs, The Pampered Puppy.
- Jennifer Cermak, The Home Spa Book for Dogs: Nose to Nose Treatments to Soothe the Soul and Age-Proof your Canine Companion, Quarry Books, 2005.
