{"id":80486,"date":"2025-07-21T11:32:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T11:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/80486\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T11:32:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T11:32:19","slug":"inside-the-wild-word-of-dog-wellness-in-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/80486\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the wild word of dog wellness in Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Jaguar Supersport, \u201965 Ford Thunderbird and \u201973 Alfa Romeo are taken by other clients today, so Dug \u2014 an 8-year-old golden retriever \u2014 is being chauffeured to the Sunset Strip in a presidential Cadillac stretch limo for his spa treatments. He\u2019s headed to Collar & Comb in West Hollywood, where he\u2019ll be getting a blueberry facial and exfoliating mud mask from the same professionals who groom the mutts of Gwyneth Paltrow<\/a>, Mark Wahlberg<\/a> and Dakota Johnson.<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Dog <\/p>\n

Los Angeles is a dog town, no bones about it. In this weeklong series, we dig into the obsession.<\/p>\n

Dug sits upright on the limo\u2019s black Corinthian leather seat, flanked by crystal liquor decanters on one side and a TV and VCR on the other. He gazes out the window, tongue hanging out excitedly, as the spiky palm trees whiz by. Then he flops down and chomps on a stuffed Chewy Vuiton Paris bone toy.<\/p>\n

Such is the world of dog wellness in Los Angeles. The goal? \u201cHeal.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times) <\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times) <\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times) <\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times) <\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times) <\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times) <\/p>\n

Wellness for dogs is a niche industry that mirrors the spectrum of wellness treatments for humans. As with humans, it swings from the relaxing and rejuvenating to the dubious. Vet-affiliated treatments include acupuncture<\/a>, hydrotherapy<\/a> and chiropractic care<\/a>. Nutrition is its own subculture that includes raw and organic food, supplements and Western and Chinese herbal remedies<\/a>. On the pampering end, dog spas and private practitioners offer massage, reiki meditation<\/a>, inflammation-fighting red light therapy<\/a> and skin and nail treatments, such as deluxe \u201cpawdicures.\u201d Fido feeling anxious? Try forest bathing<\/a> or see a pet psychic<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Human-centric wellness<\/a> for dogs is \u201cat a high point,\u201d says \u201cPet Buzz\u201d radio show<\/a> co-host, Charlotte Reed. One reason: As vet bills rise<\/a>, there\u2019s been a greater focus on preventative care in recent years \u2014 although such preventative wellness is expensive, too. Also, as self-care for humans becomes more popular, there are simply more wellness products and services being developed for dogs. And an increasing number of pet owners now view their dogs as children, Reed says. A New York court recently ruled<\/a> that dogs can be legally recognized as immediate family members in the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are worried about the world. So a lot of people are not having children \u2014 and they\u2019re treating their dogs like kids,\u201d Reed says. \u201cDogs \u2014 like kids \u2014 are a reflection of your lifestyle. If you\u2019re into health and wellness, that\u2019s what you want your dog to be into.\u201d<\/p>\n