Showering your dog with love
A washing station for your best friend is a home luxury worth considering
Behold, barkitecture — the pet-centred interior design trend that Pinterest predicted back in 2021. The image-sharing platform said that we'd increasingly install home features specifically for our pets, and three years on the industry is still bearing it out.
And no wonder. There are 8.5 million cats living in Canadian households, according to a 2022 survey from the Canadian Animal Health Institute, and 7.9 million dogs. An Angus Reid Institute survey from the same year said 71 per cent of pet owners feel their pets are family members — a number that jumps to 80 for dog owners.
In the realm of barkitecture, fittingly, canines are kings. Consider areas like under-stair dog nooks, complete with banquette seating. Or feeding stations that are built into kitchen islands and come with custom “pot filler” taps. There are also built-in dog-washing stations, typically found in laundry rooms or mud rooms.
The latter is a big financial commitment, but it's arguably the most practical. After a muddy walk, you could bathe Fido in the bathtub, but it's easier when you have a dedicated space for the task. Plus, if your dog-washing station is near a home entrance, it can save your floors from trails of muddy paw prints.
Dog-washing stations — or dog showers — generally look like smaller versions of human showers. Most have raised platforms so you don't strain to bend while scrubbing your pet. They also favour detachable shower heads, which make hard-to-reach spots more accessible, as well as low-maintenance materials like ceramic tiles.
Their safety benefits are also compelling.
“Your dog can easily get hurt trying to jump out of a bathtub,” says the blog for The Dog People, part of the dog-sitting database Rover.com. “Because dog showers eliminate the need to manoeuvre around and over the edge of the bathtub, they make the process of getting in and out much safer for your pet.”
That said, a built-in dog-washing station can be pricey.
“Building a dog shower into an existing home will cost about $5,000 to $9,000,” Hanna Shiplett, co-founder of Eden and Gray Design Build, tells Better Homes & Gardens.
For just the basics, she estimates about $1,000 for tiling, $2,500 for plumbing, $500 for framing, and the rest for builder costs. Extras could include high-end finishes, the purchase of a permit, and the price of a water hookup.
When planning the station, it helps to mentally walk through the process of washing your dog.
Think about leading Fido to the shower — you'll want low-slip tiling in and around the area to keep him safe.
Once he's in, he'll need to move around comfortably. Better Homes & Gardens recommends an interior of at least 3-by-3 feet, remembering that you may eventually have a bigger dog.
When it's time to start scrubbing, you'll want supplies like shampoo and towels nearby. Plan for a cabinet or an in-shower shelf. Finally, remember Fido's tendency to spray water everywhere when he's shaking it off. Make sure surrounding surfaces like wall treatments and flooring are waterproof.
Ultimately, a dog-washing station could be a versatile and valuable addition to your home.
“The shower can also be used as a pet-feeding station, a place to water plants and rinse off muddy boots, or as an unloading zone for fresh-cut flowers,” says Better Homes & Gardens.