Travel dogs can now raise a leg on self-cleaning 'pee pole' in Japan

Osaka Airport has launched a bathroom for canines, complete with showers and self-flushing facilities

Dogs are pictured at the first ‘dog toilet’ opened at an airport in Japan, at Osaka International Airport in this undated handout obtained by Reuters on February 10, 2020. KANSAI AIRPORTS/Handout via REUTERS  THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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A friend who visited Japan recently could not stop gushing (pun unintended) about the cleanliness of and cleaning-up options available in the country’s public toilets. On February 13, Osaka International Airport took the obsession for hygiene one step further by launching shower facilities and a “pee pole” for its canine travellers.

Dogs can now hang out at a designated rest area, get cleaned up in the bathing pods and “make” on the pole, which is, of course, self-cleaning and will flush itself. Toilets aside, the covered outdoor yard includes walk-around zones, fresh drinking water for the doggos, and benches for their human companions.

A dog is pictured at the first ‘dog toilet’ opened at an airport in Japan, at Osaka International Airport in this undated handout obtained by Reuters on February 10, 2020. KANSAI AIRPORTS/Handout via REUTERS  THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
The outdoor space opened on February 13. Kansai Airport via Reuters  

The thinking is that the facility will bring relief to the animals – and their caretakers – before they board the flight, in case of service dogs, or are put in the cargo hold, in case of pet pooches.

The bathroom is located next to the airport’s pick-up and drop-off area, and will be open every day from 5.30am to 10pm. It’s only open to dogs as of now, kitties will have to wait.

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