Pedicures and haircuts are so last year. Here's the latest in luxe pet beauty indulgence trends
Till February 2, if you drop in at The White Collar Pet Spa in Khar, you'll spot owner Poonam Thaval giving oil massages to pooches using techniques she has learnt in Thailand, as part of Pawsh Therapy Week, at a week-long pop-up organised by Mutt Hutt–The Pet Café where pet parents get to enjoy a spa date with their dogs.
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Meanwhile, every 10 days, you'll find Bella Chhabria, a one-year-old Shih Tzu, at Cumballa Hill's Pawfect–The Pet Salon and Spa to get a relaxing massage from salon owner, Lokashi Aggarwal who uses cold-pressed coconut or karanja oil infused with drops of lavender or almond oil — extracted naturally by a trusted source in Bhuleshwar. "Previously, we had a standard pet shampoo-and-conditioner treatment. Three months ago, a friend told me about karanja oil, a natural way to treat dry skin. We began offering customised options. The type of oil depends on a pet's skin problems. I've seen the results within three or four sessions," says Aggarwal.
The cost per session ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 1,500. But that hasn't deterred Bella's owner, Samir Chhabria, from pampering her. He splurges roughly Rs 15,000 per month on the pooch. "She is like my child. I'm also planning to make her a passport and take her on international holidays," shares Chhabria, a hospitality professional. He is among a growing tribe of the city's pet parents who leave no stone unturned to offer their pooches a luxurious lifestyle.
Hydrotherapy session
Woof wellness
"In the last couple of years, pet parents have gained exposure through travel, and their attitude towards pet health and wellness has changed drastically," shares Pooja Advani who runs a 2,500 sq ft air-conditioned pet daycare and wellness centre, It's A Doggiie Dog World, in Andheri. A certified groomer and hydrotherapist from Singapore, she offers hydrotherapy sessions where canines are made to swim and exercise in water, heated to 30 degree celsius, which helps relax their muscles. "I plan to introduce treadmills and create a doggy gym at the facility, to help boost agility and alertness along with fitness and health," she says.
Poonam Thaval offers a massage
Grooming beauties
While a rainbow-coloured pet may still be far-fetched idea, Mumbai is warming up to adding pinks, blues and sea green colours to their pets. "I get at least four requests a month," says Thaval, who charges Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 for colouring, depending on the body part. "We mainly colour ears, paws and tails. I import paraben and chemical-free colours that last six months." She also cites an instance where a couple received help from strangers in finding their lost dog due to its coloured ears.
A wedding dress for a Mumbai pug customised by That Dog In Tuxedo
Meanwhile, from next month, Top Dog Pet Spa and Pet Boutique in Mahalaxmi will include feathers in their grooming sessions. Cookkie Khanna, India's first certified master groomer from New York, who is awaiting a package of multi-coloured feathers from abroad, says, "Usually, we tie a dog's hair with a bow after a grooming session. Now, I will use feathers. There's a technique to thread them in a bead and attach them to the hair.," adds Khanna, who also offers aromatherapy and mud masks for dogs.
Pet socials
After organising pet get-togethers and Holi rain dances, Mutt Hutt is also organising a Valentine's Day event (February 12 at Zoobar), where pet owners can make their mutt their muse and doodle them on canvas. "Our endeavour is to introduce ways for pets and their parents to socialise," adds Trupti Zaveri, co-owner of Mutt Hutt.
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