Pampering pooches reach new heights

Treating your cocker spaniel with the choicest of treats, available in pet food is passe. Elaborate grooming sessions with the latest oatmeal shampoo, a pedicure and perfumed sprays and a trendy haircut that can turn him from an average guard dog into a rock star.

From sunscreens to oatmeal shampoos, paw balms and scented sprays, the range of grooming cosmetics, accessories and other pets care products is growing globally with more owners opting to give their pets an extra bit of pampering. Along with pet food, the cosmetics and toiletries industry is also now joining in the dynamic ‘personal care’ market for pets. It is estimated that in the US consumers spent more than $21.4 billion on their pets with big business expected in Asia-Pacific and Western Europe markets also.

“We offer several grooming services for pets to cater to the people who want their pets to be clean, hygienic and fit. The services include providing baths, anti-ticks or dandruff treatment and special hair-cuts”, says Geetika Nigam, who runs ‘Pawprints’, a Gurgaon-based company specialising in pet-grooming services. “Clients might buy one-time services from us or regular grooming sessions depending upon their requirements and their budget”, she adds. While the company provides home-based service for pets, the cost is determined by the kind of sessions the client opts for, as also on the requirements of the breeds concerned. “The cost for providing complete grooming can be anywhere from Rs 1,000 for a single session to Rs 20,000 for a six-month long regular arrangement,” says Nigam who also offers fitness-related advice to pet-owners. “Depending upon the breeds of dogs in question, the cost varies from as less as Rs 1,000 for a standard pug to as much as Rs 4,200 for a poodle or a cocker spaniel”, she adds.

Nigam believes the growing awareness among pet-owners, apart from the rising disposable incomes accounts for her flourishing business.

—PTI