Doggie Day Spas in Ireland
By Juan, October 29, 2024
As a nation of dog lovers ( 1 in 3 Irish homes own a dog ) it’s understandable that we want our furry friends to be happy and healthy. In the last decade there has been a surge in dog wellbeing services and products. Everything from canine hydrotherapy to organic pet foods to herbal remedies can be found in towns in Ireland.
While dedicated doggie day spas do exist, they’re not not in every town just yet. If you feel your canine companion could benefit from a little luxury, places like Bubble & Barks in Galway and Canine Creations in Dublin are leading the way in k9 wellbeing offering a range of spa treatments.
Also, many “human” spas around Ireland are increasingly becoming pet friendly with lots of amenities for your dog. From recreational areas to dedicated doggy menus, a spa break no longer means you have to take a break from your best-friend.
If you aren’t lucky enough to be close to one of the few doggie spas, you can still treat your furry friend to a spa experience with some simple yet effective treatments.
Healthy hair for happier hounds
A wash and grooming session is not just for aesthetics, it comes with a number of health benefits. Grooming helps regulate your dog’s body temperature, boosts circulation, and gives you the chance to check for any lumps, bumps or parasites. Regular baths can also prevent clogged pores, reducing inflammation and skin infections. Keeping your dog’s coat clean and conditioned is especially important during cold weather to prevent dryness and itching. Not only does this make your dog more comfortable, but it also reduces the amount of dander and dust around your home – a lifesaver for those with allergies!
In 2024 only 3% of dogs in Ireland slept outdoors, and a lucky 33% even made it into their owner’s bed at night. So, having a posh smelling pooch can also be advantageous to us owners. Plus, it gives us valuable time to bond with our pets.
Dog grooming services can be found across Ireland, as it is offered in vets, pet stores and there are even mobile groomers that do home visits.
Puppy pedicures for healthy feet
Often dog-owners fail to understand the importance of good nail care. Overgrown nails can cause discomfort and pain in dogs and can even affect the alignment of their joints over time.
When dogs spend their days running around outside, their nails are naturally worn down by hard surfaces. But now, as more and more dogs find themselves indoors, nail care has taken on a whole new relevance. Long nails not only look awful, but if they split or break they can lead to extreme discomfort and infection. So a puppy pedicure will help them feel more comfortable.
Relax and restore with Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy has long been popular in spas for its ability to help with joint mobility, and ease the symptoms of ailments like arthritis. But in recent years, it’s become widely recommended for dogs too – particularly those who are recovering after an injury.
“Hydrotherapy combined with physiotherapy helps with mobility issues and muscle wastage,” says Bríd O’Sullivan, a veterinary physiotherapist at the Canine Club in Naas. “It has endless benefits regarding mobility improvement, and helping reduce pressure on all joints, while also building up all the right muscles from different injuries.”
In a typical hydrotherapy session, the dog is gently introduced to a hydrotherapy pool, where they’ll be encouraged to swim or walk against the water’s resistance to build up muscle strength and mobility. Sometimes special tools like an underwater treadmill are used. Other times, props such as balls and buoyancy aids are introduced.
Massage for recovery & wellbeing
Canine massage has seen a sharp spike in popularity in recent years with an estimated 30 places in Ireland now offering canine massage services.
While it’s common to give our pets lots of belly rubs, a professional massage is designed to help with recovery and wellbeing. Canine massage can help with healing and recovery post injury. It can also help flush out toxins from the system and boost circulation, leading to a happier dog.
Katarina Kmecova, a therapist at CDC Animal Therapy is a big advocate of canine massage.
“The massage provides lots of benefits and these are not just therapeutic. First of all, it provides endorphins, the happy hormone, therefore it “feels good”. It also helps with fresh blood, oxygen and “all the good stuff, and gets rid of toxins.
Of course, you can always learn these massage techniques yourself to give your pet some extra love at home. Aside from the health benefits, it can strengthen you and your dog’s bond while reducing any anxiety or stress they might have.
The future of dog wellness in Ireland
While the idea of a dog spa might seem niche at the moment, it doesn’t look like it will stay that way for long. Dogs remain the most popular choice among pet owners in Ireland and with the increasing trend to treat dogs like prized family members, it’s natural to expect that services aimed at pet wellbeing will only continue to evolve as demand grows.
Over the next few years we’ll likely see more places offering premium services like hydrotherapy and canine massage as well as specialised grooming techniques and dedicated dog spas.
But if you don’t want to wait until a doggie spa opens near you, why not treat your pet to a spa experience at home?
You can start with a grooming session, followed by a sudsy bath, and a massage to finish things off. There are tons of online resources, such as this video, that guide you through massaging your dog the correct way.
