How to Dry a Dog

How do you dry a dog at home?

The easiest way to do it is with a few towels. Grab a large towel and wrap it around your dog’s body. Let it soak up water and use a small cloth to carefully wipe their face, neck, and paws dry. Then, use the big towel to gently massage your pup’s body and remove the excess water. It may take multiple towels to get your dog totally dry. A lot of people just use a regular bath towel. Some dog owners prefer to use a microfiber towel. There are also specialty dog towels out there if you prefer.

Can I dry my dog with a hair dryer?

Yes, so long as you use the lowest heat setting possible. Grab the smallest blow dryer you own and turn it to the lowest heat setting. Point the dryer at your pup’s coat at a slight angle so that you’re blowing the hair in the same direction that it naturally lays. Move the blow dryer back and forth to avoid irritating your dog’s skin with too much heat. Keep the dryer away from their face and just keep moving it until their fur is almost entirely dry. Many dogs get freaked out by the noise of the hair dryer. If your dog just can’t get used to the hair dryer, you’re better off using a towel.

How long does it take to dry a dog?

It shouldn’t take long, but it depends on the coat and the breed. The longer your dog’s coat is, the longer it is going to take to dry. The shorter it is, the faster it will dry. Breeds with a lot of loose skin and wrinkles, like pugs, bulldogs, and boxers, will take a little extra time to dry regardless of the method you’re using. If your dog has wrinkles or skin folds and you don’t get them totally dry, it could lead to skin conditions or fungal infections.

Is it OK to let your dog air dry?

Usually no, but it’s OK if your pup has short hair or sensitive skin. You typically don’t want to leave your dog wet since it can lead to fungus growth in between their paw pads and armpits. Wet fur is also more likely to matte. Still, if your dog has really short fur or sensitive skin, it’s typically OK to let them air dry. If you’re going to let your pup air dry, you don’t want them to be dripping wet. At the bare minimum, at least place a soft towel around your dog to gently soak up the excess water. Keep in mind, your dog probably isn’t going to smell very good if you let them air dry, even if you used shampoo.

Do dogs feel better after a bath?

Most dogs don’t enjoy baths, but some of them do! For most pups, bath time is kind of confusing and chaotic. Many dogs also don’t like being confined to the tub, since being restrained can be kind of anxiety-inducing. However, some dogs do enjoy a bath, especially if you treat it as a fun bonding activity by keeping things upbeat and playful. The best thing you can do is build a routine by bathing your dog the same way every time. Take it slow and give them a lot of treats when they’re calm to help put them at ease. If your dog really doesn’t do well with baths, you can always take them to a professional groomer.

Should you brush your dog wet or dry?

Brush them before the bath to get all of the tangles out. Grab your dog’s brush and spend 5-10 minutes giving them a thorough brushing before their bath. This way, you’ll get any mattes or tangles out before their fur gets wet, which is actually when it’s the most likely to get knotted up. This will also remove any loose fur or dirt that’s likely to clog up your shower drain. You can give them a brush or two while they’re wet if you find any light knots or tangles, but don’t overdo it. Your dog’s fur is heavier when it’s wet, and you may irritate their skin if you brush too hard and pull any fur out. You can brush them again when they’re fully dry if you’d like, but it isn’t always necessary.