As a fan of small-space living, I look for multiple uses for anything that comes into my house. That said, the mud-room pet shower in the third photo looks like a practical addition that would have multiple uses. It would wind up being used for pets, boots, flower pots, indoor/outdoor toys, tools, and all sorts of things by my family. Plus, since I'm a pet owner who only wishes to share so much with her pets, I'd appreciate that I would no longer have to share my own bathtub or shower with my dog--and he'd probably get more baths at home instead of at the groomers!

Love the bathing areas in mudrooms. So practical for washing out garbage cans, emptying mop water, cleaning shoes when you step into gum or pet waste… I don't have a dog and I think I would love to have one of those.

I agree with everything @Rural and rueful says, it would be nice to have a shower near the door for my dogs. However, in order for it to be really practical it would have to be higher so I don't have to stoop when washing the dogs, my flowerpots, garbage cans, etc - more like an over sized sink with steps for the doggies to climb up. On the other hand, the garden hose works just fine....

I think the washing stations in pics 3 & 4 are practical and shouldn't affect resale value - they can serve other purposes. The built in dinner stations might be a harder sell.

The microwave for the dog in that last picture is too much. Why can't dogs wait for their heated food from the stove top or oven? This is ridiculous.

And don't get me started on those dog cookbooks in that photo.

and....Duane is the winner:)

I love the washing stations, although I simply converted my second bathroom tub by adding a hand-held shower, we only use that bathroom as a powder room for guests anyway and it's right off the mudroom. Built-in dishes dont make sense because depending in size, age and mobility or digestive concerns you may change the size and height of your pet's bowl at any time.

Best feature I ever gave my dogs and cat was a deck. They can (and prefer to) eat, snooze and get a brushing or bathing out there without messing up the people space - and people like decks too!

None of these ideas are for spoiling the dog, but the help the dog owner. Nothing wrong with that. Especially a dedicated dog bathing tub/shower. And I can't court the number of times someone in my family or a guest kicked over the dogs' food or water dishes. So having them secured and out of the way makes sense.

I would just LOVE LOVE LOVE to have that fourth photo in my house. Our 190lb mastiff is as beloved as a kid would be, but I sure do hate the trail of slobber he leaves on our kitchen floor after a hearty drinking session. A tiled floor in his own little mud room would be wonderful (I'd also like that walk in shower as an easier way to give him a bath than spraying him down with the hose)

I've only washed the cat once. We were eating takeout on the couch when she flicked her tail into a container of very, very spicy Thai food. I snatched her up and dashed to the kitchen sink before she was able to lick it. She was not pleased, but I saved her some agony otherwise.

I highly recommend a handheld sprayer on one shower/bath in the house. It's handy not just for pets, but for children and the elderly too. A stall shower with a bench and a handheld sprayer and you're ready for the dog, your grandma, and yourself after you slipped on some ice.

@Duane Hill, I could never use a microwave at dog level because my guys would bark and claw at the door trying to get the rotating food. Herding dogs!

I don't know if that's a dog-dedicated appliance, but people can be strange about pet food. My mother in law buys individual-serving cans of food for her pets because she won't put an open can of pet food in her refrigerator. My feeling is if you think the food is that disgusting, why feed it to your pet?

Anyone who has had a dog tool in poo or get sprayed by a skunk would be thankful for those dog showers in images 3 and 4.

Fact: Animals live with us. Myth: Incorporating their needs into design is bad.
Seriously, they are at home more than we are, why not make their sleeping/washing/eating needs a priority when we don't think twice about doing that for guests? (I'm saying this as a non pet person, I hate scattered bowls, litter boxes etc) If you can afford to do it, it looks better and makes life easier in my (unasked for) opinion.

I'm having trouble seeing what's going on in the first picture. Is there a tub at the top of those stairs?

I have cats (and a rabbit) not dogs. (I love the pet showers for dogs!)

We have a variation on the feeding stations shown. In our house, there is a kitchen peninsula separating the kitchen proper from the "breakfast nook" and the entrance from the garage. Beneath the end of the peninsula, we cantilevered a small cabinet, meant to go over a refrigerator, probably. It holds cat food and things like pet medicine and treats. Underneath that we have an ordinary serving tray with a rim all around to collect spills, for food and water dishes. Because of the cabinet over it, there is enough clearance for pets to eat, but the tray doesn't get kicked or in the way of human traffic. I figure, if someday future homeowners don't have pets, without a tray, that could be a spot for a basket or recycling bin or just nothing at all, and still not look strange.

Although, and I know some of you are going to gag, we actually feed the cats up on the counter unless we are having potentially squeamish company. Much easier for all of us! (I sanitize the granite counters before food prep anyhow, and "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"!! ;^) My immune system is happy!!)

Who's life is really being made better by these? I think they are really for the benefits of the owners. The pet feeding stations would work great in my house allowing me to have additional counter space and keeping the bowls out of the way from being underfoot from where they lie now. Everyone did a great job of pointing out the additional uses of the showers but even if I only used it to wash my dog it would be incredibly handy. Washing my dog in the yard always ends up in more muddy dog than clean dog and going to the groomers for every dead animal rolled in in impractical and means he has to get in my car. I do know that I could wash my dog in the people tub but then I would also need to clean the people tub Additionally when he was a puppy the only place my dog had accidents was in the bathroom so he hasn't been allowed in the bathroom since and that training has stuck and makes the bathroom a nice relativity pet free zone.

Anyone else a bit grossed out by how close that microwave is to where the dog eats?

My Cat has his own bedroom.

I think its a great idea to have a Dog shower! Its easier to wash your Dog than using your regular shower.