Japan's pet spas thriving amid economic gloom

Half of all Japanese households have some kind of pet

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- In spite of Japan's decade-long economic troubles, growing numbers of Japanese have been lavishing their love -- and spending their money -- on their pets.

That's good news for the pet service industry, which keeps coming up with new and unusual ways to pamper your pooch.

Meet Noriko Uchiyama. Every month she gets into a tub full of mineral hot-spring water with her dog, Pon-chan.

Why? Because Pon-chan is too frightened to do it without her.

Uchiyama says she used to take her dog to a dermatologist for skin problems that were so bad that his fur was falling out. The troubles stopped after she started bringing him to the spa.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO CNN's Rebecca Mackinnon reports on Japanese spas for your pets that include hot tubs and treadmills. Play video

The full doggie beauty treatment including hot tub takes about two hours and costs the yen equivalent of $50.

Dogs who need to lose weight can get help at the pet salon too. A dog named Disney, for instance, has been on a fitness regime since her sterilization, which made her put on weight.

Thanks to many Japanese who are willing to shell out $50 a month for a doggie spa treatment, establishments like this are thriving in Japan.

Founder and manager of the pet salon Kensuke Hirakawa believes many pet health problems are caused by bad food and chemical soaps -- problems better solved by natural spa treatments than by trips to the vet.

It is not clear what the dogs think about the whole thing. But one owner said although she can't tell how her dog feels after a day at the spa, it definitely makes her feel better.