In the face of a stalling economy, many Americans are having to cut back on luxuries, but apparently their pets aren’t feeling the pinch yet.

Since last year, the U.S. pet industry grew by 5 percent from $41.2 billion to $43.4 billion, a figure that has almost doubled since 1998, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

So why are pet owners trimming their budgets while their pets continue to enjoy a luxurious life of grooming, designer clothes and the finest toys and foods?

Local pet boutique operators are baffled but said they’re not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

“Business has absolutely not slowed down at all,” said Janie Morris, who works part-time as an assistant at Bark Avenue Pet Grooming on East Brainerd Road. “It hasn’t dropped off at all. I can’t say it’s way booming, but it’s not going the wrong way.”

Most groomers said their clientele consists of repeat customers who bring animals in for a wash every month or so.

Katie Parks took over ownership of Foxy K-9 Pet Grooming Center on Brainerd Road two years ago, moving it from its longtime location just up the road. Her new location is more visible to potential customers, and she gets six or seven new customers every week, she said.

Even though the price of some supplies — especially flea treatments — went up earlier this year, Ms. Parks said the impact on her business has been negligible.

“Everybody’s been saying, ‘Oh you’re going to slow down, you’re going to slow down,’ but we haven’t,” she said.

Some pet groomers suggested that empty-nest syndrome may be behind the industry’s gains. With children out of the household, some parents may be turning to their pets as surrogate children.

“They’re truly like family members for our customers,” said Kathy Levy, owner of Bone Appetit Bakery, a pet boutique on Frazier Avenue. “Our customer base cares about their animals to the extent that they live in the house and have nice, expensive beds.”

Just like other industries, the price of many pet products has gone up, but people are still buying, groomers said.

Bone Appetit offers everything from gourmet dog treats and premium foods to organic chew toys and pet clothing, including dog bikinis and sun dresses.

“Premium food is a necessity for your dog if you want to prolong the life of your pet, and people aren’t backing off on that, but they’re not backing off the other stuff either,” Ms. Levy said. “I’m not sure why it’s that way, (but) we’re happy people are so generous with their pets.”

Lisa Sibley is the owner of Raggedy Anne’s Pet Grooming in Rossville, where profits are up 20 percent from last year, she said.

“It’s absolutely insane, but somebody’s got to take their money, and I’m more than happy to do it,” she said. “We have people who are here every week or every two weeks — it’s just automatic. If they don’t show up, we’re worried.”

While some people might balk at the idea of giving up a night at the movies or a manicure to buy Spot a hemp sweater, some groomers suggested people were splurging on their pets to brighten their lives.

“With all the gloom and doom we hear on the news, I think this is something people can feel good about,” Ms. Levy said. “We’re sick and tired of all the doom and gloom, and we’re ready for some good news.

“If you can look at your schnauzer in a sun dress and get a laugh out of it, you can’t beat that.”