Are Doggie Spa breaks in the UK, bad for our health?

Have the UK gone mad with doggie Spa breaks?

We love our dogs in the UK; we buy them all kinds of treats and toys and even check into hotels that cater for them. But, is spending hundred of pounds on our furry friends to our detriment?

Do we spend to much on our pets?

Last year we Brits spent more than £2.4 million on our pets, 40% more than we ever did 10 years ago. The experts have even adopted a new term for this phenomenon, they call it ‘fur babying’.

Every year in November Harrods hold a doggie fashion show with pugs and poodles strutting their stuff in Vivienne Westwood couture.

Animal trainer Rona Brown, who promotes the event said ‘People like it best when it doesn’t go right,’ she says. ‘We had a pug in a little sailor’s hat that slipped down over its eyes. It sat down and wouldn’t move, and everyone clapped.’

Spa breaks in the UK – for Pugs?

Spa treatments designed for dogs are something else that we Brits are buying into. This little pug is shown indulging in all types of spa treatments like swimming, facials and massaging, and little Mimi does not always look very happy at the prospect.

Is it all about health benefits?

I can see why people would consider some of these treatments, if it were for a pet that was ill or old. After all a massage is wonderfully relaxing and eases any one’s aches and pains. Swimming as we all know is a really great exercise and is even recommended by vets in some cases. Mimi looks a little out of her depth in this one (throw her a life belt).

Why would we spend our money on doggy pedicures for our poodle or little Chihuahua sized dressing gowns? The sad thing behind this ‘fur babies’ phenomenon is that although we are spending money on our pets, we are desperately neglecting ourselves.

I personally think you should be spending more money on pampering YOU!, I would personally never consider a spa break for my dog or cat, but i’d happily book a whole weekend spa break for myself and a friend. The great thing about pampering ourselves is that it works, we have busy, stress filled lives and we need someone to press the off switch. Lets face it, we don’t spend all day staring at invisible flys on the wall or barking at the neighbours cat, we work in office, run households and hold down high powered jobs.

When we get pampered, it feels like a clean slate, its gives our bodies time to heal and we feel ready to face the world again. A spa make us feel special, less stressed with our pets, our families and much more pleasant to be around. So lets leave the doggles and the cutesy frocks to the Hiltons of this world and enjoy ourselves for once.

My dog would prefer a moldy old tennis ball to a spa treatment any day of the week; I know what i’d prefer.