A recent article written by Darlene Dunn, Staff Writer for Click2Houston.com aromatherapy baths, bubble bath pawdicures, facials and even coat-brightening treatments.  reports on over the top pampering some pet parents give to their 4-legged friends in an article entitled “Some Spare No Expense To Pamper Pets.” She describes national options for pet parents who truly desire the very best in indulgence running the gamut of luxury accommodations to the complete canine spa experience: 

For some at home tips for pampering your pet that won’t break the bank, read on: 

Many dogs will enjoy a good bath every once and a while. Typically baths should be performed once weekly at most to prevent drying of the skin by removing beneficial oils.  Pets who suffer from environmental allergies can significantly benefit from a daily rub down of their bodies with a damp towel and cleaning of their paws to remove accumulated surface allergens.

Cats, unless overweight, can often manage the job on their own and can have an aversion to baths in general. For those special cats who enjoy a good scrub, using lukewarm water poured, not sprayed, on them is ideal. If your cat is adamantly opposed to this deluxe treatment, try a rub down with a damp towel every now and again. 

Also, with any companion animal, it is advisable to brush out or comb the hair coat prior to bathing to get rid of loose fur and thus making your resulting shampooing and conditioning more effective. Don’t forget to rinse, rinse, rinse. Inadequately rinsed pets who have residue left on their skin tend to itch. Also, it is best to stay with hypoallergenic, unscented preparations as many pets can become irritated or show allergies to heavily perfumed skin and hair care products.

Too often I see pets that are overweight. One of the most common responses I get when I recommend that my patient needs to “eat less and exercise” is that the pet really likes food or loves his or her treats. I truly love milkshakes. Ask anyone. I don’t let myself have one a day, and I purposefully try not to drive by DoubleDip to spare myself the temptation. Most pets crave above all positive interactions with their family members rather than constant treats. Food rewards are great in moderation; however, what better way to enjoy spending time with your pet than giving him or her a positive, non-fattening reward? 

Anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of a good massage knows the physical and mental benefits incurred as a result. The same is true for our companion animals.  Positive, gentle touch can be relationship affirming, soothing and medically beneficial for all species and all age groups. A brief demonstration of a dog massage with helpful tips can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0wD9NLyhcc. Tips specific to cats can be found at http://www.petplace.com/cats/how-to-give-your-cat-a-massage/page1.aspx .

Pet photo sessions can be a great way to document the bond we have with our companion animals and can be a wonderful family affair. With the advantage of living in the digital age, we can shoot and delete until just the perfect image is captured. While photographing your pet may only be slightly less challenging than capturing a toddler’s image on film, numerous tips on how to achieve this feat abound: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-take-great-photos-of-your-pet/page1.aspx. As evidenced by the fantastic images sent in by our clients, http://www.lazypawvet.com/gallery , I am confident anyone can get a great image with a little patience and a fast shutter speed.

We all do it. And while not all tastes run to JuicyCouture, http://www.juicycouture.com/shoponline/search?q=dog , most of us will bring home a special toy or treat, or two, on occasion. Variety is the spice of life. Having a selection of toys that are rotated, meaning limiting your pet to one or two toys at a time, increases interest and enjoyment in the currently available items. Weekly changes prevent boredom. Selection is a personal choice. It is always advisable to prevent access to play items that can be destroyed and ingested; such playthings should be used only during supervised sessions to prevent the development of a medical or surgical emergency. Also, size appropriateness of balls and other chewable items is a must. Handball sized balls, for example, pose a serious choking hazard for medium to large breed dogs. Never permit access to items not designed for the species you are purchasing them for, and ones that can be readily shredded or torn into consumable sized pieces are of special concern.