Pampered pooch Margaux enjoys a tasty treat at her Hong Kong pad
	Chef David Ng prepares healthy canine treats at Three Dog Bakery in Happy Valley

Hong Kong's elite are designer clothed, professionally preened, and dine on the finest gourmet fare. And that's just the canine population.

Pet ownership in Hong Kong is increasing dramatically each year, and their level of pampering by besotted owners is reaching dizzying heights.

Last month, gourmet cake shop Three Dog Bakery – a division of the successful American franchise – opened its first two outlets in the city. It claims to "freshly bake the world's best treats", producing canine delicacies that contain no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.

The bakery also sells all kinds of pet paraphernalia, from collars to clothing to toys to beds, adding yet more choice to the plethora of canine bling already on sale in the city.

Luxury pet spa

What next, you might ask? A pet spa, of course, where treatments will include pet massage with therapists brought in from Thailand, and spa treatments for geriatric animals.

Veterinary and lifestyle brand Pets Central, which is opening the spa at its Sai Kung clinic next month (April), says Hongkongers care for their pets as if they were babies.

"Many Hongkongers travel abroad and see how people in America, Europe and Japan pamper their pets," said Peter de Krassel, a director of Pets Central "They have become educated on the pet care needs of their ‘babies'. Many young couples are holding off having children so pets have filled the void. Others who are having children recognise the benefits of pet ownership for their children, including improved immune systems and better school results.

"Older empty nesters are also taking on paternal responsibilities to fill the void in their lives after their children leave home. Add more disposable income in a booming economy and you have all the ingredients for a pet pampering recipe."

World-class veterinary care

Mr de Krassel also points to the sophistication of veterinary care available in Hong Kong. Specialised vet clinics are catering to specific needs, with state of the art equipment. Pets Central veterinarians include an ultrasonographer, a feline specialist and Hong Kong's only oncologist/hematologist, he said.

Pets Central has an ambitious growth plan and will use Hong Kong as its springboard to expansion in the Chinese mainland.

Clement Lo, owner of Hong Kong's Three Dog Bakery, expects a similar demand for his products. He hopes to repeat in the city the phenomenal success of the brand in Japan, where customers and their dogs regularly queue outside the network of eight stores.

Mr Lo believes Hong Kong's 200,000 registered "loved ones" will create enough of a market for five stores, and is about to go into Shanghai, where 10 stores are planned.

He has already been approached by a city restaurant to provide special dog dinners, and says a relative of casino billionaire Stanley Ho has inquired about setting up a franchise in nearby Macau.

"There is nothing like this (Three Dog Bakery) in Hong Kong or China, where there a lot of dog lovers. Mainland customers have already come into the store and told me it is time to open in Shanghai."

Related links
Pets Central
Three Dog Bakery