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Are our dogs stressed? Perhaps. Look at it this way: if humans have struggled the last two years navigating ways to cope with our own stress during the pandemic, our dogs must have emotional whiplash. Their parents are now home all day and half of their faces are often covered, and social interaction has been at an all-time low. If pandemic stress was getting to me, it seems impossible it wouldn't affect my fur child who is unable to communicate her feelings verbally. Although my dog's needs are probably over-tended to — hello monthly fresh dog food deliveries and a full wardrobe of tiny sweaters — my inner Carrie Bradshaw couldn't help but wonder: should wellness literally be going to the dogs?
Quinn, my own eight-pound chihuahua/terrier mix, was a rescue. We adopted her at three months old in 2020 at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. Not only was the process of getting her dysfunctional due to a rise in COVID-era animal adoptions — after countless applications, the only way we actually got through the masses was knowing a foster at the rescue — but Quinn's life, in general, was dysfunctional. She couldn't socialize with other dogs like most puppies need to for proper development — not because we didn't have time or didn't want her to, but because as her owners, we were physically unable to be around other people (and pets) during that time.
This seclusion has had lasting behavioral effects for our pup, including hyper energy when one of us comes home, territorial issues around other dogs and people, and separation anxiety. Talking to other pet parents solidified that Quinn wasn't alone — pandemic pups are a different breed (if you will). Tufts University reported that because our pets couldn't process why we were suddenly home 24/7, pet stress increased during the pandemic, resulting in behavioral problems.
As it turns out, lots of brands and experts are eager to introduce pets to the world of wellness, and paw-rents are hopping on board. Wellness, of course, is hardly a definable category, encompassing everything from beauty treatments to fitness activities and tech devices that promise "good health." (Which, again, means different things to everyone.) The main goal — for humans and canines alike — is to live better, calmer, and happier. Here, a few trending ways wellness has become a sort of dog and puppy show.
A Holistic Dog Grooming Experience
Just as you may hit Drybar for a shampoo and blowout to decompress, Jess Rona Grooming is Los Angeles' canine equivalent. Rona was deemed the "Vidal Sassoon" of dog grooming by Katy Perry, and her celebrity clients run the gamut: from Maya Ruldolph to Nick Offerman to hair stylist Jen Atkin, Rona's work has brought her consistent customers. One reason? She works off her canine clientele's energy. "Dogs [themselves] are pure energy readers," says Rona. "They don't listen to what you're saying. They don't listen to the volume at what you're saying — it's mostly your energy."
With 20 years in the business, she can read your pup's emotions quicker than you can win your daily Wordle. Gentle touch, multiple breaks, and positive communication are meant to help relax the client during their three hour (at minimum!) appointment, which includes pampering the likes of a spa day at the Four Seasons. The service typically starts with a "blueberry facial," which involves what's essentially a thick, concentrated shampoo meant to clear tear stains, lip crust — the works. Then, Rona performs another facial — a double cleanse, if you will — and moves to the body, with a second shampoo that's catered to each dog's coat type. While the body shampoo marinates, the pet's face is topped off with a hydrating argan oil face mask to get into all the folds and crevices to moisturize the facial area. After several thorough rinses, the client is dried with a hairdryer and sent on their way.
You'll have to plan ahead: at press time, Jess Rona Grooming's Larchmont salon was booking appointments at least two months out.
Exclusive Dog Social Clubs
Stardogs Clubhouse is one of the first social clubs for dogs in Los Angeles, similar to Soho House or The Britely. Nestled away from the bustling bars of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, founders Chiara Dolzani DMV and Raffaella Ferro traveled to Los Angeles from Italy in 2017 in hopes of opening a one-of-a-kind specialized dog care facility, combining Dolzani's expertise as a veterinarian and trainer with Ferro's business acumen.
Notably, this clubhouse is for small dogs. Potential "members" must fill out intake forms and go through a required one-hour screening process to see how they fare with the other members. "(We) make sure we have a good environment and a good level of energy," says Dolzani. She emphasizes that most dogs who attend are repeat customers, similar to a small "class" of dogs that get to know each other in a group setting.
Stardogs also offers wellness treatments based off Dolzani's expertise: the veterinarian previously focused on dog dermatology and collaborated with the respected Toelettatura Moderna beauty center in Rome, where they introduced the use of Ozone Water Therapy for dogs.
"(Ozone water) is regular water with added ozone molecule (O3)," explains Dolzani. Ozone water, with the inorganic molecule added, is antiseptic which makes it a strong option for skin infections and wounds, and Dolzani considers it a natural treatment for cleaning your pup. "It makes the hair whiter and helps skin cells to exfoliate, and [ozone] lasts for 10 to 20 minutes in the water."
The ozone water is used in conjunction with hydrotherapy, or the use of water to treat disease and improve overall health, which takes place in a jacuzzi-like tub. This service is used to treat dogs who may have skin allergies, joint issues, or alopecia, and Dolzani notes that it can be helpful if you need to avoid over-shampooing due to your dog's skin type.
Smart(er) Dog Collars
Humans have plenty of devices worn on our wrists and fingers that track everything from our heart rate and our steps to the air quality index. Now, more and more smart collar brands are offering the same tech to the pooches. If your pet happens to be a professional escape artist or runs faster than ShaCarri Richardson, Link's collar attachment, referred to by the brand as a "Fitbit for your furry family member," offers GPS tracking, activity monitoring, step counting and training tools to track your pet and keep them active — all of which are documented in Link's app.
Additionally, you can monitor your pet's temperature in the event of extreme heat or cold and a built-in flashlight helps them see during nighttime walks. Plus, the brand will soon launch a tool to help track your pet's internal health.
"Through our partnership with [pet telemedicine brand] Petriage, we will be providing a proprietary symptom analysis tool that will help guide parents in diagnosing potential health issues and provide access to a televet service," shared April Boyce, Link's Vice President of Marketing.
All this is just the beginning for the animal wellness industry. My inbox is brimming with CBD tinctures and bougie shampoos, and spiritual treatments like dog reiki and sound baths are popping up in abundance. Do our dogs necessarily need all the wellness bells and whistles? Maybe not, but perhaps neither do we.
More about health and wellness:
- My Hair Loss Took the Most Unexpected Toll on My Body Image
- Spas and Retreats are Now Taking Wellness More Than Just Skin Deep
- Your Sign's 2022 Horoscope Predictions Are Here
Now, watch a wash day routine for natural hair:
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