Most people with pets view them as family members, and family deserves the best. That is why many consumers are drawn to luxury or elevated products and services for their pets, and a number of businesses around Pittsburgh cater to this pawed and clawed clientele.
The market for elevated pet services has skyrocketed over the past several years, with more people willing to pay a premium for their pets’ comfort, from food to spa services and more. “People now consider pets as much a part of the family as their children. Previous generations did not have that level of commitment to their animals that we often see today,” said Gretchen Fieser, owner of Lucky Paws Pet Resort in Freedom.
Lucky Paws operates both a day care for playtime and a pet hotel, and lucky pets who come for either day care or the hotel have use of the dog park as well as the 3,000 square foot seasonal, zero-entry swimming pool that tapers to four feet. It is the region’s only indoor and outdoor dog park. Other amenities at the facility include water fountains for both dogs and their pet parents, play equipment and a pavilion with picnic tables and benches.
Lucky Paws also has a swanky atmosphere for dogs when their families are on vacation; the pet hotel has over 5,000 feet of indoor space and over an acre of outdoor space. Indoors, pet parents have a choice of room types: classic suites, which are completely enclosed; patio suites where the dogs can go in and out; and the newest addition, family suites. “Family suites are large rooms the size of human bedrooms that multiple dogs from one family can stay in complete comfort,” said Fieser. While boarding, dogs can get groomed, enroll in training classes, or have snuggle sessions.
One unique aspect about Lucky Paws is that they also operate a cat hotel featuring large, multi-level ‘cat condos’ with cable TV, furniture, cat towers, and heated hardwood floors.
Another luxury option for dog owners is Canine Cabins in Ohio Township. Situated on five acres, surrounded by 400 acres of the Toms Run Nature Reserve, the kennel, which can board 20 dogs, is in a serene setting. “Our primary focus is boarding. We require each dog to come for a visit prior to boarding with us just to make sure they will be comfortable. If a dog is nervous in a group or has some separation anxiety, we are able to offer daycare so that dogs can get used to us and our daily schedule,” said Julie Kramer, who owns the business with her husband Bill. They also live on the property, so they are always available in the event of an emergency. The small size allows them to really get to know all of their canine clients. The sixteen luxury suites at Canine Cabins are akin to bedrooms for the dogs. “They have tile and French doors, and each suite has its own private patio. Our multi-dog suites are plenty big enough for two or even three golden retrievers, and the single dog suites are quite large as well,” said Kramer.
Outside, the dogs can romp around 5,000 square feet of artificial turf divided into three play yards as well as a pond. “We are a social facility, so the dogs play together around five hours a day. We post photos and videos on social media daily. Our pricing is all-inclusive, so there is no extra fee for playtime or medicine administration,” she added.
A crystal chandelier adorns the ceiling, shining a light on the high-quality treats for sale at Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming Salon, with locations in both Wexford and East Liberty. The boutique section of each store carries high quality food and treats, some of which are home-baked by local dog bakeries, as well as accessories like leashes and collars. “All of our treats and products for dogs to eat are made in the U.S. and are all sourced from human-grade ingredients,” said Owner Damon Powell.
The back of the store features the dog grooming salon. “We try to do an elevated, spa-like grooming experience. Grooming can be stressful for dogs, so we like to take the stress out of grooming and put the love into it. We have highly skilled groomers who provide a one-on-one experience,” said Powell. In addition to traditional grooming services, customers can choose some luxurious add-ons, such as a blueberry facial and hydrating shampoos. Plus, the store utilizes an award-winning professional product line in their salon.
The shop also caters to its four-legged customers with regular events, such as an upcoming human-and-dog costume contest for Halloween.
Based in the North Hills, Elizabeth (Betsy) Fey is a certified animal massage therapist and is the owner of EASE Animal Massage. Fey believes in the power of massage as a complementary, alternative care for animals rather than a replacement for traditional medicine. However, she has seen firsthand how effective massage can be, primarily for older canines who have arthritis or who have had injuries. Even younger, healthier dogs can benefit. “It does help to oxygenate the blood and release all of those feel-good hormones, regardless of age,” she said. She said she would also like to expand her business by providing massages to animals pre- and post-surgery, as it “...primes the body for all the things it’s going to go through and can facilitate the healing process.” Fey always advises clients to discuss the value of massage with their vets.
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