Heatwave fuels surge in selfservice pet baths, boarding hotels in Chengdu

(ECNS) -- As summer temperatures soar, pet owners in Chengdu, Southwest China, are increasingly turning to late‑night self‑service baths, air‑conditioned boarding facilities, and swimming pools to keep their pets cool.

According to a local pet store owner, full‑service bathing orders have surged 50% compared with off‑season levels, while grooming services have doubled and self‑service bathing has risen by about 30%. Most customers who opt for the self‑service option visit after dark, when evening temperatures are lower.

Pet hotels have also grown busier during the summer travel season. A 49‑room facility on the outskirts of Chengdu, for instance, currently houses 43 pets, with typical stays lasting seven to ten days. Owners can check on their animals via real‑time video feeds, and the hotel’s outdoor pool is open even to pets not staying overnight.

Pet industry workers cautioned that frequent bathing can damage animals’ natural skin barrier. They advised owners to walk pets during cooler hours and choose well-ventilated boarding facilities with suitable cooling equipment.

(By Intern Yang Hongran, Zhang Dongfang)