I’M READY FOR MY FRUITY FACIAL NOW...

Beauty treatments, designer gear, shower rooms… Danielle Hine reveals how we’ve turned our pandemic puppies into pampered pooches

Ireland went dog-mad during the pandemic, with estimates suggesting dog ownership increased by ten per cent. Did we have a clear idea of what we were going to do with all these four-legged friends once the lockdowns ended? Not really – we just knew we wanted their company to ease the pain of being stuck at home.

Then the kids went back to school, some of us went back to work, but what about the lockdown pups (now demanding teenagers)?

Of course, we felt terrible about leaving them. So, to assuage the guilt, we bought them stuff. A whole load of stuff.

The global dog clothing and accessories market hit around €8.5 billion in 2020 and is estimated to reach €14.5 billion by 2028, according to market research firm Million Insights.

Here, doggy day spas have experienced a huge demand for pet spa treatments.

‘We’re seeing many trends from the human market emerging for dogs now,’ says Claire Gavin, director of creative development and innovation with Pets At Home.

‘I had to book in my cockapoo Amber weeks in advance of Christmas 2021!’ (Amber got a berry burst scented shampoo, a hydrating butter moisturising treatment, a blueberry facial and a teeth clean followed by a fresh-breath foam, before a special balm was applied to her paws and nose. She left sporting a bow tie.)

Victoria Keating, director of the Animal Magic Family Pet Retreat (offering crèche and pampering services), confirms that the pandemic has pushed up the amount that owners are prepared to fork out. ‘Pre-Covid my average customer spend was €250 per month. Now it’s €700.’

It’s not surprising companies are chasing the ‘hound pound’ given this ballooning market and the fact that, according to Mintel, 51 per cent of pet-care buyers would rather cut spending on themselves than on their pets.

And a fair bit of scrimping would need to be done for anyone wanting to enter the world of the designer dog.

You can drop €14,000 on a Christopher Howe dog settee or €760 on a silver-plated bowl set from Selfridges. Then there’s the Alessi dog waste bag holder (€40) and Aesop Animal Wash (€32).

Freelance editor Nicky Rampley-Clarke and husband John recently spent €24,000 converting their garage to incorporate a special shower for their five-month-old springer spaniel India.

‘Our builders have never done one before, and my dad thinks it’s the maddest thing he ever heard,’ says Nicky. ‘Now, after muddy walks, we can pop her straight into her own warm shower area. No need for her to shake herself dry all over the house!’

Nicky is also making a list of must-haves for India’s wardrobe. ‘She hates the cold so a Barbour jacket is the first priority, followed by a Ralph Lauren jumper. We spent €120 on a turquoise leather collar that looks like jewellery. India is our baby, but we believe in discipline, exercise and love in that order to raise a wellrounded dog. We just want to spoil her in the process.’

And like many of us, the lockdown dog needs a curated social life, too. Belle Boonroong, a data consultant, has three pomeranians who are a hit on the canine party circuit.

‘In 2019 it seemed like we had a [dog] birthday every month,’ she admits. ‘We also threw a joint dog birthday party with a Hawaiian theme for Cedric and a couple of his friends – it cost about €1,000 between us.

‘We had 27 dog guests, gift bags for them all, birthday cake and treats.

‘Last July, after Covid restrictions had lifted, we did a birthday for Cedric and Bilbo for around 15 dogs and their humans. I spent about €250 on gift bags, drinks and food, and got a bespoke cake from Dandie Dog Cafe.’

Billy, a four-year-old parson russell terrier, is a big fan of his birthday get-togethers, says owner Collette Cooper, a musician and actor. ‘He has loads of mates so they have a proper rave,’ she laughs. ‘I make goody bags for his friends which consist of Earth Animal chews, Fresco dog treats and Sniffe & Likkit grooming products.’

So if your New Year resolution was to budget better, we have one piece of advice… do

NOT buy a puppy.

‘SHE HATES THE COLD SO SHE HAS A BARBOUR JACKET AND RALPH LAUREN JUMPER’