Busy, Smart and Strong: Arizona homes are going to the dogs!

If your pets are pampered pooches and coddled cats, as most of them are, you may love, love, love a new trend in homes that’s cropping up — one home builder here in the Valley is offering pet suites!

Standard Pacific Homes is a national builder and in 27 of their communities across the country — including two currently here in the Phoenix area — you can opt to include a 50-square-foot pet suite and spa. Standard Pacific’s Communications Director Danielle Tocco said the suite will add about $1,500 to the price of the home. In some other communities in California, pet suites can run even higher, all the way up to $35,000!

“Pets are part of the family and they need a spot that’s all their own,” Tocco said.

The suites may make you envious. Tocco said the suites can include a puppy wash station, a plush bed, automatic feeding station, custom cabinetry for treats and toys, French doors to the outside leading to a doggie run, and, of course, a doggie door. Some even include a flat-screen TV for Fido to watch his favorite shows. For kitties, scratching posts and perches are part of the package too.

Is this awesome or ridiculous? You could always use it as a mudroom too, and having a separate spots to clean anything messy is always a bonus. I feel sure other homebuilders will follow suit. Tocco said they survey their homebuyers and things for pets are an overwhelming topic that always comes up.

I have to admit, I don’t hate it!