Are Pet Spas a worthwhile condo amenity?

ASHBURN, VA

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JOEL HURREN

BuzzStaff

Are Pet Spas a worthwhile condo amenity?

I've noticed that a large percentage (close to half) of NYC developments have pet spa or pet grooming stations inside the actual condo development. I personally think this is a bit over the top, but am curious as to what everyone else thinks about this.

Do you think Pet Spa's and Pet Pampering will be in high-demand in Toronto, similar to NYC?

Canada / New Home Q&A

BRENNAN VALENZUELA

Buzzer

I live near Victoria Memorial Park and Canoe Landing Park and both are essentially giant dog parks with a few benches for humans. I'd say one out of three elevator rides in my building is shared with a canine. I think one major developer will catch on with this trend and the rest will follow - well, the boutique and high-end condos that is.

DANIEL BRAGAGNOLO

NewBee

I agree it does seem over the top, but at the same time I think it will have success. Pets are an extension of the "family" and people spend money on them the same way. Convenience is everything, and living in the city getting your pet to and from the groomer could be a bit of a hassle especially on public transit. I can see a lot of tenants finding high value in this and it taking off!

RYAN MCGOVERN

BuzzStaff

282

Nothing's more important than the dog that fits in my wife's purse to be pampered at the base of my condo.
Pet Spas, I think, are a bit over the top. A Dog Wash station, however, it more practical.

ALLEN

Buzzer

129

I personally wash my dog in a shower that could be closed as she hates to get wet and will try to run away.
I could see a pet washing station a necessity where the condo is located near a dog park, walking/hiking trails, etc. where dogs would get pretty dirty and may track mud and dirt through the hallways and elevators.

I am seeing more and more condos providing this amenity, as it takes up very little space and could be squeezed into some dead space in the building.

I much prefer seeing a car washing bay in the garage. I would use that almost on a weekly basis, espcially with the combination of winter/fall weather and the amount of construction dirt & mud going on in the city.

JOEL HURREN

BuzzStaff

Ryan said:
Nothing's more important than the dog that fits in my wife's purse to be pampered at the base of my condo.
Pet Spas, I think, are a bit over the top. A Dog Wash station, however, it more practical.

NYC even has resorts/hotels just for dogs, outrageous!

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

BuzzStaff

1969

Can't you just wash a dog in your bathtub??

BEN SMITH

NewBee

We have them in a few of our clubhouses and people really like them. It is usually a room close to an outside exit where people can come in and wash their dogs off after a walk / run etc. Bathrooms and therefore bathtubs are not generally located at the front door of your home so without the dog spa you are bringing dirty dog through your entire house after a play which is less than ideal.
I think spa makes people imagine doggy pedicure, but really they are just rooms to clean a dirty dog.
There is one in the Timber's Club at our Tamarack community if you are interested in checking it out.
www.polyhomes.com/community/tamarack

JOEL HURREN

BuzzStaff

While I definitely can see dog-wash stations being handy, a lot of NYC developments have spas that allow you to drop your pet off and be pampered. With so many new condos having little room for a large dog, we are bound to see Toronto become home to more handbag/lap dogs. Can anyone see a demand for spa/pampering services for these smaller dogs? Will Toronto become Spaw-city, following the path of the Big Apple?

AUDREY B

Buzzer

Well that's kind of ridiculous! Common, they should put the money on something for the human instead, like a spa or something! As Matthew said: people can wash their dog in their bathtub.... And by the way, i'm a big animal lover, don't get me wrong, but too much is too much!

ALLEN

Buzzer

129

I have a medium sized dog and I don't think I would use the dog washing station in a condo because my dog will constantly shake her damp fur which will spray all over the hallways and elevators on my way up to my unit.
These dog washing stations doesn't cost much to the developer as they are simply glorified laundry/utility sinks which they could easily locate in a dead/unused space near an entry.

Adding a pet spa to the condo amenities is tricky as there are liability issues and also the logistics of getting a third party properly operate it. There are lots of doggie day care/pet hotels and dog sitters in the city and some dog owners are pretty particular on where or who they go to, so I don't think pet spas would be a successful amenity for a condo here.