Dog owners may not have to struggle much longer with a squirming soapy dog while getting wetter than the animal. Bathing your dog in a pet launderette could become as common place as taking your car to a car wash; A fairly new device, the doggy washing machine is described as water massage for pets, and is supposed to be more thorough and less stressful than a hand bath for the pet and person alike.
At a cost of around $25,000, these machines are more practical for grooming shops and pet stores than homes. They may be showing up in places like Petco and Petsmart or even in a chain of pet launderettes.
One such launderette is already in operation in Japan next to a regular laundromat. It boasts about 10 customers a day who wash their clothes and their pet at the same time. Prices there run $17 for small dogs and $34 for large ones. At least two more are available to the public in Colorado amd California.
In some models, animals stand with their face in a window hole in a 5’ x 5’ lighted chamber while massaging streams of sudsy water from all around penetrate even long dense coats. In other models, they disappear in the swirling shower. Dirty water filters out through a hose at the bottom. The option of several wash cycles is available for various size animals and various shampoos. The device washes, rinses, and dries in about 25 minutes. Heat is not used in drying but two internal sensors monitor temperature of the water and inside the machine, which will shut down if either becomes too hot or too cold. Groomers or owners watch their pet through the large glass door.
The pulsating action of the doggy washing machine increases circulation in pets without removing natural skin oils. It has been demonstrated on dozens of hunting dogs at a Barcelona dog show and one, reportedly, fell asleep during the bath. The pet washing machines are also claimed to work well for cats too.
Closely monitored, these machines may be a luxury for dogs as well as owners but, as with any mechanical device, the potential to malfunction is always there. Some pets may enjoy the water massage, while others could have a terrifying experience. Heat stroke, drowning or other hazards would seem to be possible. With proper caution and consideration for the pet, these machines may hold potential, however, the old fashioned Saturday evening bathtub and hand scrub may remain popular.
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