pets are more and more pampered each year. Posh kennels with furniture, television and stereos, spa treatments, and play dates are all the rage. Pampered Pets celebrate Valentine's day, receive birthday cards and Christmas gifts. Birthday parties, weddings and funerals are becoming common with owners paying as much as several hundred dollars for the event. Pets have therapists, acupuncturists, veterinarian specialists, dog whisperers, and behavioral psychologists.

The news told us a well known hotel heiress bequeath to her dog $12 million and of the Japanese establishing nursing homes, acupuncturists, oxygen bars, and special dog ram en for your pet.

According to CBS news.com in a report on February 2006 Americans had spent $2.5 billion last year on their pampered pets. This was double the amount spent in the five years past. Eighty percent of Americans with pets think of themselves as parents and because the pet is considered family they are willing to spend the money to make them happy. These parents are willing to spend money on pet products such as fragrances, spa treatments, beauty products for pets, manicures, massage oils, unique treats and organic pet food to name a few.

There are approximately 78 million cats and 65 million dogs in the U.S. today and analysts predict that pet owners spent 32 billion dollars last year on keeping them cozy, well nourished and healthy. A pet owner interviewed claimed she spent somewhere near $5000.00 a year for clothes, food, and indulging her pets. This did not include a vet bill of $1700 for the year.

Organic pet products such as: beds, shampoos, pet food, supplements, and toys are on the rise, as well. The organic pet product market is expected to quadruple within the next three years.

In Philadelphia, Mazzu's Canine & Feline Hotel indulges your pampered pet's every need. It is painted in cool colors like a spa along with aroma therapy such as: lavender scents to reduce stress. They sport a rock wall for your cat to climb, room service serving meals of fillet mignon to Spot in a suite with a carpeted floor. These just name a few of their plush frills. Owners are paying the $125.00 a night (fillet mignon was an extra $22.00).with a smile. They claim it gives them peace of mind while they are away to know their cats and dogs have a pleasurable experience. Most pets stay on the average of five days.

Marshall Field's Department Store in Chicago runs a posh pet boutique called Down Town Dog, where you can buy luxurious collars, leather jackets, crystal embellished leashes, and Bur bury pet carriers. They can not keep up with the demand for the pet carriers. Sorry there is a waiting list.

Certain human hotels are beginning to get on board with the pampering trend. A fashionable New York hotel has a package for $1600.00 per night which includes a room and a limousine for your dogs go to a recording studio where a voice coach helps them record a CD. They "vocalize" with a karaoke machine, a harmonica player or guitarist.

A senior pet can now be checked into a pet nursing home like the Bide-a-Wee established in New York State. The price tag is $15,000 for the life span of the pet.

So the next time you feel like pampering your cat and dog keep in mind the many choices available if you are willing to shell out the dough.