Do you need a spa treatment? But you don't want to go without your dog? Go to a spa treatment with your pet! Some destinations have thought of your stay with your furry friend and have thought of everything; I'll explain everything in this article.

Taking your dog to a spa treatment is possible with a little planning. These treatments, based on mineral-rich and/or trace element-rich waters, can relieve many ailments and provide unparalleled well-being.

Some regions and types of spa treatments are better suited to dogs than others. For example, in areas where spas specialize in allergies, accommodation providers may be more reluctant to welcome dogs. However, you can still find your ideal accommodation almost anywhere, and I'll help you with that in this article!

Before presenting the best destinations for a spa treatment with your dog, here's how to combine treatment and a stay with your dog.

Summary

Thermal spa treatment: is it possible with a dog?

As the years go by, spa treatments are becoming more accessible for dogs . No more choosing between taking care of yourself and taking care of your dog! Spa guests can now bring their pets along.

Indeed, while care centers don't yet welcome dogs, many accommodations near these centers happily do! And I'm here to help you find them 😇

When choosing your spa treatment , the geographical region is extremely important. The chemical composition of thermal waters, and therefore their properties, varies depending on the types of rock they pass through underground. Depending on the minerals and trace elements present, spa therapy can provide relief from :

  • the digestive system and associated metabolic diseases
  • the urinary system and associated metabolic diseases
  • dermatological problems
  • disorders of the oro-lingual mucous membranes
  • gynecological problems
  • vascular problems (phlebology)
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • neurological problems
  • psychosomatic disorders
  • rheumatological problems
  • child development disorders
  • respiratory tract disorders

A spa treatment lasts 18 days or more, with significant and scientifically recognized health benefits. As it is covered by health insurance, it must be prescribed by your doctor.

However, you can also have what is called a spa break or spa visit , of less than 18 days, always at a spa resort. In this case, you do not need a prescription, but sometimes a medical certificate.

In both cases, you can enjoy the benefits of thermal spa treatments with your dog . The treatments only last a few hours a day, leaving you free for a good part of the day to explore the region with your canine companion. Take advantage of this time to enjoy lovely walks and activities with your dog in the surrounding area, especially if you're having your spa treatment in a dog-friendly region, or even better, in a destination with the Destination QUALIDOG label 😉

Tips and spa destinations for taking a spa treatment with your dog

If you'd like to learn more about spa treatments with a dog, I've included a short FAQ at the end of this article. But for now, let's move on to the 5 ideal spa destinations to enjoy with your dog! Go on a spa treatment with your dog!

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5 spa destinations to visit with your dog

If you have the option to choose where to have your spa treatment (some doctors and some pathologies do not allow a choice), then you might as well choose a destination with many things to discover with your dog.

If what interests you besides the thermal baths is beautiful walks , but also cultural and historical visits , here are the 5 destinations I recommend for your spa treatment with your dog.

Puy-de-Dôme: the ultimate spa destination

A walk in the Puy-de-Dôme region, in the Sancy Massif, with a dog between spa treatments
Musher ride in the Sancy Massif

The Massif Central is known for its numerous sources of carbonated, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory bicarbonate waters. The five thermal spas of Puy-de-Dôme cover almost all therapeutic areas, including joint pain , metabolic , dermatological , and respiratory diseases.

🫧 Thermal spas in the Puy-de-Dôme :

  • The Bournemouth
  • Le Mont-Dore
  • Royat-Chamalière
  • Châtel-Guyon
  • Chateauneuf-les-Bains

🐕 With your dog , I highly recommend exploring the Sancy Massif and all its secrets! Thanks to the hard work of the tourist office teams, you'll easily find visits, activities, and walks everywhere where your dog is welcome. This is also why this destination has been awarded our Destination QUALIDOG label , recognizing their commitment to welcoming animals. To help you plan your stay (tested and thoroughly approved during our holiday with Musher!), I've prepared a complete guide for a holiday in the Sancy with your dog , full of great places to stay and visit.

🏡 Among all the dog-friendly accommodations in the Puy-de-Dôme , you are sure to find what you are looking for near your chosen spa resort.

Vittel: for a regenerating and stimulating treatment

Dog-friendly garden in Vittel, near the thermal spas
Vittel Forest Park

Thermal spa treatments in Vittel are often recommended to help heal digestive, urinary, and metabolic diseases . They also help with overweight and rheumatism.

🫧 Thermal spas in Vittel :

  • Vittel Thermal Baths
  • Contrexéville Thermal Baths

🐕 With your dog : Vittel stands out by making it easy for dogs to access accommodations, activities, and natural areas throughout the region. Like the Sancy area, the tourist office team is actively working to make the region even more dog-friendly. I am currently assisting the destination in obtaining the Destination QUALIDOG label. Vittel should receive it very soon, once all the necessary criteria are met!

🏡 Close to the thermal spas, here are two QUALIDOG-certified accommodations for a peaceful stay with your dog. Others are currently being certified, so I'll update this article soon 😉

Balaruc-les-Bains: the South, the Mediterranean and its innovative thermal baths

Balaruc-les-Bains spa resort near the Thau lagoon, where you can stay with your dog
Thau Lagoon, opposite Balaruc-les-Bains

The spa resort of Balaruc-les-Bains, located between Montpellier, Sète, and Béziers, specializes in rheumatology and phlebology (vascular problems). Modern and well-equipped, it offers treatments unique in France, such as thermal mud therapy, a mixture of thermal water and natural clays, applied warm to painful areas.

🐕 With your dog : whether it's hikes with magnificent views, unexpected visits, or beaches and lakes where dogs are allowed, the Montpellier region offers many possibilities with your dog! You can find them in this guide to discovering Montpellier with your dog.

🏡 For your accommodation, you can choose a QUALIDOG-certified lodging or campsite:

  • le Cozy Studioin Balaruc-le-Vieux, 10 minutes from the thermal baths
  • le Gîte La Golondrina, in Frontignan, 20 minutes away
  • le Flower Camping Altéa, in Vic-la-Gardiole, 25 minutes away (only if there are two of you, as dogs must not be left alone in the rental)

Gers: for a spa break in the heart of the hills and vineyards

Auch Cathedral in the Gers region, with numerous thermal spas and dog-friendly accommodations
Auch Cathedral in the Gers region

The thermal waters of Gers primarily treat vascular, oral, and digestive ailments . The very hot water of Lectoure, drawn from deep underground, also effectively relieves joint and muscle pain.

🫧 Thermal spas in the Gers: 

  • Lectoure
  • Castera-Verduzan
  • Barbotan-les-Thermes

🐕 With your dog : the rolling hills of Gers offer numerous opportunities for walks and bike rides. Furthermore, Gers boasts a rich cultural heritage, from its Gascon castles to its charming listed villages. I'll give you plenty of recommendations in this special article about welcoming guesthouses for a dog-friendly stay in Gers 😉

🏡 Accommodation providers in the Southwest are very happy to welcome dogs! You will find many gîtes, bed and breakfasts and even unusual rentals with the QUALIDOG label near the thermal spas of Gers.

Bagnoles de l'Orne Normandie: because thermal spa treatments are also possible in the Northwest!

thermal spa in Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, Normandy, for walking with your dog
Walk around the lake in Bagnoles-de-l'Orne

Yes, there is a thermal spa in Normandy! The Bagnoles-de-l'Orne spa specializes in gynecology , phlebology and rheumatology thanks to its oligo-metallic and low-mineral waters.

🐕 With your dog : are you familiar with the Suisse Normande region? Just north of the spa town, the Normandy mountains, reaching altitudes of up to 300m, become a true playground for you and your dog. In this interview, Julie and her two dogs recommend numerous places and activities for discovering the Suisse Normande with your canine companion.

🏡 Near the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne in Normandy, I recommend these accommodations:

Before concluding this article, I'll leave you with a short FAQ, as promised. If you have any further questions about organizing your spa treatment with your dog, please ask them in the comments, and I'll answer them 😉

Thermal spas often close for several weeks in winter. With your dog, I recommend traveling off-season to enjoy the region without the crowds.

For hygiene and logistical reasons, your dog will not be allowed to enter the thermal baths with you. However, it can remain safely at the accommodation or be looked after by a pet sitter.

To my knowledge, the only way to relax in hot springs with your dog is to find a secluded hot spring. Often hidden away, sometimes a little difficult to access, they have the advantage of being free and, of course, dog-friendly.

I had the opportunity to test it in the Pyrenees with Musher. She, who loves water, surprisingly didn't like the hot water at all! So she slept peacefully on her side while I enjoyed my relaxing bath.

However, be aware that thermal therapy is a true science. Bathing in a hot spring may provide relief, but it may not be as effective as treatment in a specialized center.

A spa treatment is most often medically prescribed by a doctor to a patient as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol. It utilizes underground waters rich in minerals or trace elements, which have therapeutic properties.

Spas and hydrotherapy aim to promote well-being through the properties of water. It's all about relaxation. I've written a special article to help you enjoy a spa stay with your dog at a QUALIDOG-certified establishment.

Unfortunately, there are no spa treatments or thermal stays specifically for dogs yet. However, if you'd like to offer your dog a truly relaxing experience, some professional groomers offer wellness treatments. If your dog enjoys swimming, you can also take them to a center with a pool dedicated to dogs 💦🐶

I hope this article has helped you plan a spa treatment or a thermal getaway with your dog! I could have talked about the spas in Dax, those in the Pyrenees, or the Alps, but that could be the subject of a future article. Let me know in the comments if you're interested, and if you've ever taken your dog to a spa!