Dog Showers in Your House: You Just Might Need One

There’s nothing better than coming home after a long day and taking a nice, hot shower. That’s true for humans—and it’s also true for dogs.

Pets can get just as dirty—if not dirtier—than humans. And while most owners bathe their dogs in the bathtub (or take them to the groomer), there’s a new interior design trend that’s giving pets a bathing space of their own—dog showers.

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A New York Times report on recent design trends highlighted that there’s been a serious increase in demand for standalone dog showers. But what, exactly, are dog showers? What are their benefits? And should you think about getting your pet a shower of their own?

What is a dog shower?

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Barneys Dog Wash 🐶🚿 We’ve had Barney 6 years this January !!! He has moved all over the country during this time, 5 times to be exact, so when we came across 3 Bilwell there was one thing we promised we would do, make it his home🏡 this includes his very own shower of course! He is a big part of our life and he’s pretty active, two walks a day and I’ve only ever known him shy away from the weather once, on the sea front in absolutely pelting rain/sleet down in Weymouth and even then I think it was only because we made a run for cover 😆Anyway his fur is light and picks up all the dirt as you can imagine so we have always washed him often. The utility is far from being finished but we went ahead with priority number one in there – his shower, which has proved a hit with him and us 😃 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #dogshower #dogwash #dogstagram #dogsofinstagram #dogs_of_instagram #dogsofinsta #cockapoosofinstagram #cockapoo #furbaby #reno #renovation #extension #house #home #utilityroom #homeimprovement

A post shared by Holly & Simon (@3_bilwell) on Oct 9, 2018 at 1:38pm PDT

A dog shower is exactly what it sounds like—it’s a separate, built-in shower that’s exclusively for bathing or showering your dog. They’re also known as home dog wash stations. They differ from freestanding pet washing tubs in that they’re built into the design of the home.

Most dog showers resemble typical showers, just dog-sized. Key features include a raised platform (so you can bathe your dog at a comfortable height), a detachable shower head (so you can clean your dog from head to paws), and easy-to-clean building materials (so post-shower clean up is a breeze).

Some dog showers are installed into bathrooms, but many pet owners choose to install their showers in a mudroom, laundry room, or even outside; that way, it’s easy to keep your dog clean—and keep them from tracking dirt into the rest of the house.

What are the benefits of dog showers?

Mudroom remodel with dog wash station & benches

You want your dog’s bath time to be as comfortable, convenient, and safe as possible—and dog showers deliver on all counts.

Some of the major benefits of dog showers include:

They’re easy on your back. Bending down to bathe your dog in a bathtub can be hard on your back. Dog showers are often built with a raised platform that allows you to bathe your dog at a comfortable height. This also prevents 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 bathtub, they make the process of getting in and out much safer for your pet.
They keep your dog’s mess contained. There’s no way around it—dogs get messy. They track in mud, dirt, and dust on their coat and paws. Having a standalone dog shower allows you to keep that mess contained and prevent your dog from tracking all that mud, dirt, and dust into your home.

Should you get a dog shower for your home?

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How cute was this little doggie washing station in one of the model homes we visited last weekend! With three dogs, we may need to add this into our home design! 🐶 🐶🐶 #makenote #notetoself #hunterslane #thefarm siblingland #movingbackhome #dreamingofhome #landdevelopment #journal #lifestyleblogger #elisabethbrysonphotography #modelhometour #aldieva #dogwashstation #dogshower #dreamhomegoals #hunterslaneMP

A post shared by HUNTERS LANE_Elisabeth Bryson (@_hunters_lane) on Jan 26, 2019 at 7:37pm PST

Clearly, dog showers are having a moment. But should you get one for your pet?

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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. If you think adding a dog shower will be a good fit for your dog, hop on board this interior design trend and get your dog that shower!

Dog shower tips

If you can’t splurge for a remodel involving a full-on dog shower or in-home dog washing station, never fear. These handy tools can help make your dog’s bathtime easier and less messy all around.

1. Invest in a freestanding tub you can elevate—great for backyard washes and for your back.
2. Try a “water comb” or shower wand like this one (on sale at Chewy)—easy to use and affordable. Great for rinsing out thick coats.
3. Apartment-dwellers, in particular, are loving the Bissell BarkBath, which is splash-free and portable. Check out our video review for more.