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At some point, every pup needs a bath. Whether it’s from a fun day splashing in backyard mud puddles to the dust and dander of everyday living, dogs get dirty—sometimes really dirty. To clean their pups, most dog parents head to their own bathtub, to the groomer, or even to a do-it-yourself dog bathing facility. For fresh and clean pup, however, there’s one more option: an in-home doggy shower.
A 2018 New York Times design trends report highlighted a significant increase in demand for standalone pet bathing stations. But what, exactly, are doggy showers? What are their benefits? And should you think about getting—or building—your pet a shower of their own?
To learn more about doggy showers, we consulted with Dr. Alex Crow, a veterinarian in Nottingham, England. Dr. Crow offered insight from not only his professional expertise, but also his hands-on experience building a dog shower in his home. We also heard from a couple of other DIY-ers who talked us through their own build.
The Benefits of Dog Showers
A doggy shower is exactly what it sounds like—it’s a separate, built-in shower that’s exclusively intended for bathing or showering your dog. They’re also known as home dog wash stations. Dog showers differ from freestanding pet washing tubs in that they’re typically built into the design of the home.
You want your dog’s bath time to be as comfortable, convenient, and safe as possible, and dog showers deliver on all counts. Most dog showers resemble typical showers, with all the expected knobs and tiles. What makes them different is that they’re dog-sized and include several canine-friendly features to make bath time easier for your pup—and for you.
- A raised platform helps you to bathe your dog at a comfortable height.
- A detachable shower head makes it easier to clean your dog from head to paws.
- Easy-to-clean building materials make post-shower cleanup a breeze.
Plus, having a built-in dog shower allows you to keep your dirty dog contained. That way you can clean them up before they track all that mud, dirt, and dust into your home. But that’s just the start, says our expert Dr. Alex Crow.
“Having a dog shower isn’t just about keeping your home clean—it’s also great for your dog,” Dr. Crow explains. “Bathing them in the same place every time can make them feel more comfortable. A shower at their level is easier for them, especially for bigger or older dogs like my Labrador, Maggie. Using a handheld showerhead also makes it easier to wash them properly without causing any discomfort.”
Two additional benefits of a custom doggy shower:
- They’re easy on your back. Bending down to bathe your dog in a bathtub can be hard on your body. With a raised platform that allows you to bathe your dog at a comfortable height, many dog showers are designed to prevent you from having to bend down and strain your back.
- They’re safe for your dog. Your dog can easily get hurt trying to jump out of a bathtub. Because dog showers eliminate the need to maneuver around and over the edge of the tub, they make the process of getting in and out much safer for your pet.
Edwin Tan via iStock
The Drawbacks of Building a Dog Shower
For those with the resources and inclination to build a doggy bathing station in the home, the downsides are fairly minimal. In fact, the biggest drawbacks of a shower designed for your dog are both related to money: the long-term value and the upfront cost.
While they’re relatively compact, dog showers do take up space in your home. That means less room for other things—something to think about if you’re in a small home or pressed for space. They also may not appeal to everyone, so if you don’t have a ton of room, it’s worth considering whether a permanent doggy shower installation is the best route for the long-term value of your home.
Of course, not all dog parents have the ability or resources to build a permanent dog bathing station in their home. If you rent, you are likely limited in how much you can alter your space. That can make a doggy shower a non-starter for many pet owners. In those cases, a semi-portable pet bathing station might be a better option.
Even if you do own your home, the cost of installing a dog shower is a big factor to consider.
What Does a Dog Shower Cost?
If you’re looking to install a custom, professionally-built dog washing station in your home, you can expect to spend thousands of dollars. Sources indicate that these projects often start around $5,000. For pups (and their parents) with exquisite taste in tile and hardware, that number could stretch upward of $10K.
For anyone without thousands to spend on a dog shower, there’s good news: both permanent and non-permanent dog bathing stations can be found and installed for well under $1,000. Even a simple, built-in dog shower for home costs as little as $500 if you have existing plumbing, tools, and other materials to work with, plus the ability to do it yourself.
The costs of a DIY dog shower project can increase significantly depending on your design and plans. However, you get to decide every element, including where to spend and where to save.
FluxFactory via iStock
Is it worth it?
But is a doggy shower worth it? The answer is, it depends! If you have a large dog—or a dog that likes to get extra dirty—dog showers are a great way to make the bathing process safer, easier, and more convenient.
Dr. Crow, for one, has no regrets about tackling this particular home improvement project: “In the end, the dog shower has become a key part of our routine. It’s a small change that’s made a big difference in our daily lives. If you’re thinking about building one, I’d say it’s definitely worth the effort.”
Corrie Duffy, a chef and food blogger who also built a DIY dog shower for his pup, agrees: “The dog shower has been a game-changer! It’s saved me so much time and keeps the rest of the house cleaner. Plus, my dog seems to enjoy bath time more now that it’s in his own space.”
How To Build a Simple Dog Shower
Some of the key elements of a great dog shower are an elevated platform, a safe entry and exit point, and a handheld shower wand. If you don’t own your home or you can’t splurge on a full-on remodel, you can still combine these elements to create a doggy shower that works with your existing set-up.
Portable doggy showers for your apartment or house
One of the best simple, non-permanent dog shower options is a freestanding elevated tub that’s particularly great for backyard washes. There’s no plumbing to contend with, and the tubs can be set up anywhere in the yard or, in some cases, your house.
The Booster Bath Elevated Pet Bath
These portable dog showers are great for a wide range of dog needs. Many also come with optional stairs to help your pup get into and out of the tub safely—especially important for bathing a senior dog. For big dogs (up to 150 pounds!), we like the Shelandy 45″ Pet Grooming Bath Tub & Stairs Combo. For small dogs, the foldable Furesh Little Dipper Dog Bath Tub works well indoors or out.
The downside to elevated dog tubs is that they don’t come with a water source of their own. Some doggy shower heads (like the highly-rated Aquapaw Pro) can be installed in your indoor shower or with an outdoor spigot. That versatility gives you maximum flexibility for rinsing your pup’s thick coat.
Simple but permanent dog showers for your home
If you’re open to a permanent installation but not up for the labor and costs of a DIY model, a pre-built dog washing station could do the trick. Stainless steel dog showers, such as the popular Vevor 38″ Dog Bathing Station, tap into your home’s plumbing for a permanent, straightforward approach to an in-home dog shower.
Sturdy and industrial, stainless steel doggy showers can be found at many hardware stores and online retailers. Their simplicity comes with the fact that they come pre-designed and pre-fabricated, with features like a built-in shower head, slip-free bottom, and stairs or a ramp to help your dog get in and out. Some assembly is typically required—and, of course, so is plumbing.
The KANIS Professional Stainless Steel Dog Bathing Station
Smaller models, such as the WSSEY 34” Dog Washing Station, offer a compact, affordable tub for your petite pup. A large dog washing station for home, like the 61″ KANIS Professional Stainless Steel Dog Bathing Station, will cost you quite a bit more. However, it’ll offer plenty of space for your big dog.
DIY Dog Showers
After “countless muddy hikes and dirty paw prints all over the house,” our veterinary expert Dr. Crow decided not only to install a custom dog shower for his pup Maggie, but to build it himself.
Whether your doggy shower goals are simple or ambitious, doing it yourself is a great way to save money. Just be prepared: what the average pet owner saves in dollars, they will more than spend in sweat equity, not to mention many hours on YouTube to learn about plumbing and tiling.
“While it wasn’t a simple task, it was manageable with some planning,” says Dr. Crow. “The hardest part was definitely the plumbing—I had to make sure there wouldn’t be any leaks or water damage, which meant learning a lot about waterproofing.”
Dr. Crow isn’t alone in finding the plumbing challenging. Belize Belize Hans Polloso, another dog shower DIY-er and vice president of Dog Academic, said that “ensuring no leaks felt like solving a puzzle!”
For the rest of her build, however, her experience was encouraging: “Doing it myself wasn’t too hard, but it took some patience and focus.”
Designing your DIY doggy shower build
The first step toward a DIY dog shower is to determine what you want to build and where. Tapping into existing plumbing lines, such as in a bathroom, kitchen, or mudroom, can help to save on costs. But your location will largely be determined by your available space. That space, in turn, will often inform the design of the shower.
A garage dog wash station, for example, might not need much design. A wood frame and some waterproof panels could be just enough to be effective.
If your dog wash station will be visible in your home, you may want a little more style. You could use a prefabricated shower surround like the Laurel Mountain Dog Shower Enclosure, or design a custom tiled shower. Either way, you have more opportunity to integrate the style of your dog shower into the style of your home.
Key elements to include in your dog shower for home
Based on this experience and his knowledge as a veterinarian, Dr. Crow recommends that other pet parents think about not only construction and design, but what’s best for your dog, too. “When building a dog shower, think about safety first. Use non-slip flooring so your dog doesn’t slip. The shower should be at a good height so they’re comfortable.”
If you build an elevated tub, you may want to also consider stairs to help your pup get in and out safely. Lifting a tiny Chihuahua two or three feet off the ground isn’t too big of a deal, but lifting an elderly German Shepherd into the tub is a whole other story.
Fancy Dog Showers
With the boom in interest over the last several years, many home builders, contractors, and interior designers now offer custom dog showers among their renovation services.
While the cost of a professionally-designed and professionally-built dog shower is significantly higher than the DIY version, it means you don’t have to take on the labor of the project yourself. Plus, with a trusted contractor on the job, you’ll know everything was done correctly and according to local code.
With a professional dog shower installation, you’re only limited by your budget—and your imagination. These extra-fancy dog showers range from integrated spaces to full dog-oriented bathing suites to pamper your pup.
