As a beloved member of the family and endless giver of joy, many of us like to give back to our furry friends by gifting them with extra doses of love and affection.
And now pet owners are going the extra mile and offering their dogs spa-quality treatments.
On TikTok, there are 1.2 billion videos under the title ‘dog spa’ and another 816.5 million under the title ‘a spa day with my dog’, which shows pet owners treating their dogs to an extensive and relaxing session of beauty treatments.
So-called pet influencers include Sunday the Golden Retriever, Drake the star puppy and Chai the Cavapoo They enjoy these treatments from the comfort of their own home, meaning they don’t have to make the arduous trip to the salon.
And while the posts are intended to provide a relaxing treat for dogs, experts have warned it’s important to keep them safe.
Dog groomer Toria Bryant of Tidy Tails by Toria and SpaSeekers.com said it’s important to consider your dog’s individual needs when deciding what he or she will and won’t tolerate at the pup spa.
Pictured: A TikToker shared a clip of herself giving her pet a relaxing spa treatment with a jade roller massage and cucumber eye mask.
Another fluffy-looking poodle relaxed on a bed made of towels as his owner sprayed him with a soothing steam treatment.
“This is always something that depends on the individual dog and what they are comfortable with – for example, some dogs don’t like having their paws touched, so trying to massage their pads with paw oil may seem like a loving and cuddly thing to do, but for the dog it can be quite uncomfortable or even scary,” she said.
‘Do things you know your dog will be comfortable with and build his confidence in things he hasn’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 use flea shampoo on your own hair, it’s best to use products that have been specifically designed for dogs.
Toria also recommends avoiding cheaper products. Some owners may be tempted to buy baby shampoo simply because it is cheap and advertised as suitable for sensitive skin, but it is not suitable for dogs’ skin.
“A dog’s pH level is different to ours, so what’s gentle on us isn’t necessarily gentle on them – for extra luxurious pampering, opt for a shampoo that contains oatmeal or evening primrose oil,” she said.
Nose and paw balms are a nice addition, but not essential.
One dog was even fitted with a tiger-print mask on its face. However, dog expert Toria generally recommends avoiding products intended for humans.
Various videos that appear under the title “dog spa” often show dogs having their noses and paws rubbed with a little product or oil for an extra dose of moisture.
However, Toria said this is not strictly necessary and can be avoided to save costs.
She explained: ‘Paw and nose balm is 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 paw pads and noses.
‘If you’re not sure how your dog will react, coconut oil is a good basic alternative, but don’t overdo it as he might try to lick it off and be left with a sensitive stomach.’
Try a gentle massage
Just as you would expect a massage therapist to double-check the pressure of a back massage, it’s important to double-check what pressure to use when giving it to your dog.
Many videos show human massage tools, in which case, be sure to start gently and increase the pressure only to a gentle level.
“If your dog loves having his head scratched, a head massage might be another thing he finds really relaxing,” Toria suggested.
‘Start with gentle pressure and massage the top of the head, the nape of the neck, and around or over the ears if your dog is comfortable.
‘You can also extend the massage and apply gentle pressure along the spine and legs, which is especially nice if your dog has arthritis or is a little older as it can soothe tired muscles.
‘Although when performing any massage it is important to always pay attention to the dog’s reactions in all areas to avoid causing discomfort.’
Play classical music
Another dog received a relaxing brushing from its owner. Toria recommends brushing the coat regularly, especially for dogs with long hair.
Humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy relaxing to a soothing song or brain-melting playlist.
In fact, Toria said that playing soft classical music can help calm more nervous dogs during a grooming session.
‘Classical music often helps distract particularly nervous dogs during grooming sessions and is something other dogs may find relaxing too.
“It promotes a really relaxing environment for both dog and owner and gives the dog fewer factors to react to,” she explained.
While not all dogs have the same taste in music, you may need to try a few different options to find the one they find most relaxing.
She noted that owners should try to “avoid music with a lot of lyrics or bass to prevent overstimulation, but otherwise should try different playlists and see what they prefer.”
Avoid overwashing
While dogs will certainly enjoy a relaxing cuddle session, as the old saying goes, there can be too much of a good thing, Toria insists.
‘A good bathing routine can go a long way toward keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy, but if done too often, it can strip away natural oils and lead to a dry, flaky coat and possibly irritation.
‘This varies from dog to dog, but I would avoid bathing them more than once a week at most – of course, if they’ve walked through mud and need a deep clean, that’s fine, but try not to get into the habit.’
Leave the trimming to the professionals
According to Toria, there are some elements of dog spa treatment that are best avoided and left to the professionals.
Inexperienced owners should avoid trimming nails and fur, as it can be more difficult to do correctly and can lead to long-term problems, such as reactivity, if done incorrectly.
However, she hopes owners don’t end up skimping on other essential parts of pet care, such as proper brushing of teeth, ears and coat, especially for dogs that have longer coats.
Toria explained that all dogs will benefit from a little brushing and cleaning between grooming visits.
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