RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: The Japanese economy may be in a slump, but Japanese pets aren't feeling the pinch. As Rebecca MacKinnon reports, some Tokyo pooches are more pampered than ever.</s>REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Some people will do a lot for their pets, but Noriko Uchiama (ph) goes farther than most. Every month, she gets into this tub full of mineral hot spring water with her dog, Unchan (ph). Why? He's too frightened to do it without her. Uchiama (ph) says she used to take Unchan (ph) to a dermatologist for skin problems that were so bad his fur was falling out. The trouble stopped after she started bringing him here. The full doggy beauty treatment including hot tub takes about two hours and costs the yen equivalent of $50 U.S. Dogs who need to lose weight can get help here, too. The dog on the left, named Disney (ph), has been on a fitness regime since her sterilization, which made her put on weight. (on camera): Japan's economy may be in a slump, but there are still plenty of people willing to shell out the equivalent of $50 a month for a doggy spa treatment to keep establishments like this one in business. (voice-over): Founder and manager Kanskai Hirakawa (ph) 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's not clear what the dogs think about the whole thing. This owner says she can't tell how her dog feels after a day at the spa, but it definitely makes her feel better. Rebecca MacKinnon, CNN, Tokyo.
Some Japanese Pets More Pampered Than Ever