Beauty Salons for Dogs: Cute or Wasteful?
SodaHead Living
2011/04/20 11:00:00
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Many dog owners like to get their pooch groomed once in a while. But do treatments like fur-coloring and toenail painting go too far?
Lee Evans, 59, of Ohio gave her poodle mix Isabella a purple mohawk.
"She actually likes it because she gets more attention," Evans told The Associated Press.
In Ohio, doggy salons have begun offering facial scrubs, mud treatments for flaking skin, toenail painting, hot-oil massages, fur dying and even aromatherapy to reduce stress, the AP reports.
But the trend goes beyond Ohio. Haircare product maker Paul Mitchell has a line of dog shampoos and conditioners made with oatmeal and tea-tree extracts. And this year, pet owners will spend $3.65 billion on grooming and boarding -- up from $3.51 billion in 2010, the American Pet Products Association estimates.
"It's a fashion statement," Brittani Sell, manager of the Animal Hospital of Polaris, told the AP.
Yes, it is, but should it be? And is taking your dog to the salon a total waste of money, not to mention ridiculous?
Lee Evans, 59, of Ohio gave her poodle mix Isabella a purple mohawk.
"She actually likes it because she gets more attention," Evans told The Associated Press.
In Ohio, doggy salons have begun offering facial scrubs, mud treatments for flaking skin, toenail painting, hot-oil massages, fur dying and even aromatherapy to reduce stress, the AP reports.
But the trend goes beyond Ohio. Haircare product maker Paul Mitchell has a line of dog shampoos and conditioners made with oatmeal and tea-tree extracts. And this year, pet owners will spend $3.65 billion on grooming and boarding -- up from $3.51 billion in 2010, the American Pet Products Association estimates.
"It's a fashion statement," Brittani Sell, manager of the Animal Hospital of Polaris, told the AP.
Yes, it is, but should it be? And is taking your dog to the salon a total waste of money, not to mention ridiculous?
Read More: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/...
Top Opinion
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Sister Jean 2011/04/20 13:24:00Wasteful
But when it's something small like painting their nails (there is special dog nail polish for them) or using special shampoos and stuff that might actually help their coat and skin and feel nice for them I think it's fine. I see these things as silly so I won't be taking a dog to a doggy salon anytime soon but I can see the appeal of it for a few pet owners. And hey, isn't it good for the economy? :p
I suppose the only thing I can think this would be a good cause for is people who are elderly and/or disabled with pets and can't give them a proper bath on their own. But nail polish? Hair styling? Fur dying? Accessorizing? Cute, but very unnecessary.
Dolling your dog up can easily be a DIY project for anyone honestly. I can see it as a hobby, but not a business.
Besides, if you're going to call Beauty Salons for dogs wasteful... then you would have to include thousands upon thousands of other businesses all across the world. the term "Wasteful" is relative to what you mean by it... Does it fulfill a need? Not really... but it is something millions of american's enjoy doing with their pets... absolutely. Are other establishments that offer entertainment or enjoyment to it's consumers "wasteful"? Perhaps, but I wouldn't want to live in a country that only approved of businesses that filled our needs... How boring would that be!?
If it wasn't for the fact that most of this would be painless to the dog, I would equate this with a pet owner who declaws and/or debarks or bark softens.