From blueberry facials to energy meditation, luxury wellness for dogs is booming in Los Angeles, with services once reserved for humans now being offered exclusively to pets.
A recent Los Angeles Times feature, part of the “Dog Days of Summer” series published on July 28, spotlighted an 8-year-old golden retriever named Dug, who recently went on a full wellness tour. His transportation: a limo. His destination: Collar & Comb, a dog spa in West Hollywood that counts the dogs of Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Wahlberg, and Dakota Johnson among its regular clients. Dug received a full spa treatment, including a blueberry facial, mud wrap, massage, sound bath, and a reiki (energy meditation) session.
Services once seen as exclusive to humans—massages, meditation, even acupuncture—are now tailored for dogs. Veterinary collaborations offer animal-specific chiropractic adjustments, hydrotherapy, and other wellness treatments. Pet owners explain that they view their dogs as family members, often saying, “We raise our dogs like children, so their health and lifestyle matter just as much.” These trends extend to Koreatown, where Korean American pet owners are increasingly turning to dog bubble spas and aromatherapy services.
Experts say the shift isn’t just a fad. As self-care becomes more normalized, it’s also being extended to pets. According to Charlotte Reed, host of The Pet Buzz radio show, “In uncertain times, more people are choosing to raise dogs instead of children, and those dogs reflect their owner’s lifestyle.” Reed added, “Health-conscious people want their dogs to live that same wellness-focused life.” Many owners who eat clean and practice yoga now serve additive-free meals to their dogs and even sign them up for dog-specific yoga classes.
Still, veterinarians are sounding the alarm. Dr. Jerry Klein of the American Kennel Club (AKC) noted that some treatments could do more harm than good. “What’s beneficial to humans can be stressful for dogs,” he said, emphasizing that any health-related procedure must be discussed with a licensed veterinarian.
Despite concerns, LA’s luxury pet scene is expanding rapidly. Demand for canine deep-tissue massage and red light therapy shows no sign of slowing. There are now dog-only retreats and even private jet trips tailored for pets. Social media posts from pet owners flaunting their dogs’ lavish experiences have only fueled the trend.
Dog birthday parties now feature chef-prepared multi-course meals and custom cakes, with personalized collars costing hundreds of dollars as go-to gifts. It’s even joked that some dogs have busier social calendars than their owners. In LA, the saying “a dog’s life is the good life” is no longer just a cliché—it’s reality.
