As a beloved family member and infinite giver of joy, many of us like to give back to our furry friends by treating them to extra doses of love and affection.
And now pet owners are going the extra mile, lining up their pooches with spa quality treatment.
On TikTok, there are 1.2 billion videos under ‘dog spa’ and a further 816.5 million for ‘spa day with my dog, showing pet owners treating pooches to an extensive soothing session of beauty treatments.
So-called pet influencers including Sunday the Golden Retriever, Drake the Pupstar and Chai the Cavapoo are enjoying such treatments from the comfort of their own home, meaning they don’t have to make the arduous journey to the groomer.
And while posts are meant to provide a relaxing treatment for dogs, experts have warned its important to keep pooches safe.
Dog groomer Toria Bryant from Tidy Tails by Toria and SpaSeekers.com said it’s important to consider the individual needs of your dog when deciding what they will and won’t tolerate at puppy spa.
Pictured: One TikToker user shared a clip where they gave their pet a relaxing spa treatment with a jade roller massage and a cucumber eye mask
Another fluffy looking poodle relaxed on a bed made of towels as their owner doused them with a relaxing steam treatment
‘This is something that’s always dependent on the individual dog and what they’re comfortable with – for example, some dogs don’t like having their paws touched, so trying to go straight in and massage paw oil into their pads might seem like a loving and pampering thing, but for the dog could be quite uncomfortable or even scary,’ she said.
‘Do things you know your dog will be comfortable with and build up their confidence for things they haven’t experienced before.’
For the ultimate pet proof spa day, Toria has shared her top tips
Stick to pet-specific products
Just as you probably wouldn’t reach for a flea treatment shampoo for your own locks, it’s best to use products that have been specifically designed with doggies in mind.
Toria also recommends avoiding the cheapest products. Some owners may be tricked into buying baby shampoo simply because it is inexpensive and branded as suitable for sensitive skin, but this won’t be right for dog’s skin.
‘A dog’s PH level is different to ours, so what’s gentle for us isn’t necessarily gentle for them – for an extra luxurious pamper, opt for a shampoo that contains oats or evening primrose oil,’ she said.
Nose and paw balms are a lovely extra, but not essential
One dog even had a tiger print face mask applied to their face. However, dog expert, Toria, generally suggests avoiding products that are meant for humans
Several videos that appear under ‘dog spas’ often feature pooches having their nose and feet rubbed with a dab of product or oil for an extra douse of moisture.
However, Toria said this isn’t strictly necessary and can be avoided to save on cost.
She explained: ‘Paw and nose balm are similar to using moisturiser on dry hands; it’s not a necessity, but it’s a lovely addition to a grooming routine and can make your dog more comfortable if they’re prone to dry or cracked pads and noses.
‘If you’re unsure how your dog will react, coconut oil is a good basic alternative – but don’t over-do it as they may well try to lick it off and may be left with a sensitive tummy!’
Test out a gentle massage
Just as you’d expect a masseuse to double check the pressure of a back massage, it’s important to double check on what pressure to use when dishing one out to your pooch.
Many videos feature human massage tools, in which case, be sure to start softly and build pressure only to a gentle level.
‘If your dog is a fan of a head scratch, a head massage could be something else that they’d find really relaxing,’ Toria offered.
‘Start with gentle pressure and massage over the top of the head, down the back of the neck, and around or over the ears if your dog is comfortable.
‘You can also extend the massage and apply gentle pressure down their spine and legs, which is particularly lovely if your dog has arthritis or is slightly older as it can ease tired muscles.
‘Though while doing any massage, it’s important to always pay attention to your dog’s reactions in every area to avoid causing discomfort.’
Play classical music
Another pooch received a relaxing brush down by their owner. Toria recommends regular fur brushing, particularly for dogs with longer hair
Humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy relaxing the a soothing song or a brain melting playlist.
In fact, Toria said playing some soft classical music can actually help calm more nervous dogs down during a grooming session.
‘Classical music often helps to distract particularly nervous dogs during grooming sessions and is something that other dogs may well find relaxing too.
‘It promotes a really relaxing environment for both dog and owner and gives the dog less to react to,’ she explained.
Though not all pooches will have the same music taste so you may need to trial a few different options to find what they find most chilaxing.
She noted that owners should aim to ‘avoid music with lots of lyrics or bass to avoid over-stimulation, but otherwise try out some different playlists and see what they prefer.’
Avoid over washing
While pooches will undoubtedly relish in a soothing pamper session, as the old saying goes, there can be too much of a good thing, Toria insists.
‘A good bathing routine can really help with maintaining a healthy skin and coat for your dog but if done too frequently, can strip the natural oils and lead to a dry, flakey coat and possibly irritation.
‘This varies between dogs, but I’d avoid bathing them more than once a week at the most – of course, if they’ve had a muddy walk and needs a scrub clean that’s fine but try not to get into the habit.’
Leave clipping to professionals
According to Toria, there are some elements of the doggy spa treatment that are best avoided and left to the professionals.
Nail clipping and coat clipping should be avoided by inexperienced owners since they can be more challenging to get done right and can lead to longer-term problems such as reactivity if done incorrectly.
However, she is keen for owners to not end up scrimping on other essential parts of pet care, such as proper teeth, ear and fur brushing, especially with dogs that have longer coats.
Toria explained that all dogs will benefit from a little brush and clean between trips to the groomers.
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