How to Dry a Wet Dog: Towels, Drying Coats and Dryers
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A wet dog needs more than a quick shake. This guide covers why drying matters, how to towel dry without tangling the coat, when a drying coat or a dryer helps, how to dry the ears, and what to look for in a dog towel or drying coat.
How we wrote this: the care advice comes from the AKC, PetMD, VCA Animal Hospitals, the ASPCA, the RSPCA and PDSA, all linked where they are used and checked on 31 October 2026. Product notes come from the makers’ own pages and from review sites whose staff used the products on their own dogs: PetsRadar, Take a Break, Horse & Hound and Animal Friends. We did not test these towels or coats ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings. We have not added product pages for them yet.
Why drying your dog matters
The AKC says drying your dog helps keep them warm, prevents mats, tangles and bacteria growth that may lead to skin infections, and helps get rid of the wet dog smell. The RSPCA says to use a towel or hair dryer when a dog gets wet, to prevent skin irritation and matting that can lead to infections.
Damp fur can also set off hot spots. PetMD says hot spots often start from a minor irritant such as an area of fur that stayed moist after swimming, and VCA says matted fur holds water after a swim or rain, which keeps the skin wet. A red, moist or painful patch of skin is a reason to see your vet, not to treat it at home.
How to towel dry a dog
- Let them shake, then start with the worst. Drying coat maker Ruff and Tumble says to remove excess water from a dripping dog with a quick rub down or shake first. The RSPCA says to wipe the paws and tummy after a winter walk to remove grit, antifreeze and rock salt.
- Press, do not scrub. The AKC says rubbing the towel vigorously can cause tangles and mats, so press the towel gently into the fur instead. PetMD says to pat your dog dry and avoid rubbing too much, which can tangle the fur or irritate the skin.
- Use more than one towel for thick coats. PetMD says dogs with thicker coats may need several towels. The AKC says a short-coated dog can be dried with a towel, while a dog with a longer, thicker coat may need a towel first and a dryer to finish.
- Do not miss the folds. The ASPCA says to always dry the areas between skin folds thoroughly.
- Rinse after swimming. VCA says to rinse your dog after a swim, because chlorine, sea salt or other debris can irritate the skin.
Drying the ears
VCA says to always dry your dog’s ears after swimming or bathing. PetMD suggests using a cotton ball to gently dry around the opening of the ear canal, and PDSA says that if your dog gets ear infections after swimming, cleaning and drying the ears afterwards may help. Dry only around the opening, and if your dog shakes their head, scratches the ears or the ears smell, see your vet.
Using a dryer safely
The AKC says to avoid using heat on your dog’s fur, since it might burn the skin, and to keep the dryer away from the face and ears. PetMD suggests a pet-safe blow dryer on a low, cool setting, and its dryer tips say to move the fur with your hand while you dry: if it feels too hot on your hand, it is too hot for your dog. The same PetMD article quotes trainers who say to introduce a dryer gradually, because the noise can startle a dog.
Towel or drying coat?
A towel is quick for paws, legs and short coats. A drying coat is a towelling or microfibre robe your dog wears after a wet walk or bath while it soaks up water; the AKC compares them to human bathrobes. Testers found drying coats work best after a first rub with a towel. Animal Friends, whose dogs tried one brand’s towel and coat, found the coat useful after an initial dry off with a towel but not as quick as a towel on its own.
What to look for:
- Material. Microfibre and cotton towelling are the two main types. One Labrador owner who reviewed a cotton coat for Country & Stable, a shop that sells it, found towelling dried better than fleece or microfibre; others prefer microfibre. There is no test that settles it.
- Belly coverage. The tummy gets the wettest and muddiest. Look for a wide belly flap or strap.
- Fit by the maker’s chart. Makers size by back length, chest girth or weight, and several say to choose the larger size if your dog is between sizes.
- Easy fastening. Testers found some leg-strap poppers fiddly on an impatient dog, and a tight neck opening hard to get over a dog’s head.
- Washing. Check the care label. Several makers say not to use fabric softener.
Take the coat off once your dog is dry: PDSA says most dogs can quickly overheat in a coat indoors.
Towels and coats that review sites tried
These are the products we found that reviewers used on their own dogs. Most of the tests are from UK sites, and most of these products are sold mainly in the UK, so check availability where you live. We list maker facts and what the testers said, not our own verdict.
Ruffwear Dirtbag Dog Towel
A coat-style towel with a microfibre lining, a waterproof shell to keep the mess in, a stretch neck gaiter and side-release buckles. Ruffwear sizes it by rib cage girth, says to choose the larger size between sizes, and says to wash it cold on a gentle cycle and air dry. PetsRadar named it the best towel dog coat; its tester said it is great after a quick initial towel dry and in the car after a muddy walk, but found the neck opening small and a bit tight going over his dog’s head. When we checked, every size showed out of stock on Ruffwear’s site.
Ruff and Tumble Classic Drying Coat
Double-thickness cotton towelling with an extra-wide belly flap and a long hood for the ears and head. Ruff and Tumble sizes by weight and back length from the shoulder blades to the start of the tail, and says not to use fabric softener. Take a Break named it best overall after a staff member used it on her Labrador, saying it gets him dry in no time. A customer quoted by the same site found it better on top coats than on thick undercoats.
Pastel Pooch Drying Coat
Two layers of microfibre, a hood for the ears and leg straps with poppers. Pastel Pooch sizes by back length from the collar to the start of the tail, from XS to 4XL, and says to wash at 30°C. Take a Break’s tester was surprised how quickly it dried her three dogs but found the poppers fiddly, and Horse & Hound‘s tester said it fitted a springer spaniel well and dried quickly, though his long ears did not stay in the hood.
Soggy Doggy Super Shammy
A 31 by 14 inch microfibre chenille towel with hand pockets that Soggy Doggy says is machine washable, dryer safe on low, with no fabric softener. It appears in many towel roundups, but we could not read a hands-on test of it, so we only list the maker’s facts.
For brushes, shampoos and other grooming gear, see our grooming buying guide. For how often your dog needs a bath, read how often to bathe a dog. For wet walks, see our best dog raincoat guide and how to walk your dog safely in winter.
Muddy or salty paws after walks? See the best dog paw washers, with vet advice on cleaning and drying paws and what to look for in a paw washer cup.
FAQ
Should I rub my dog dry with a towel?
Gently. The AKC says vigorous rubbing can cause tangles and mats, and suggests pressing the towel into the fur instead. PetMD says to pat your dog dry.
Can I use a human hair dryer on my dog?
The AKC says to avoid heat, which might burn the skin, and PetMD suggests a pet-safe dryer on a low, cool setting. Keep it away from the face and ears and check the air on your hand.
Do drying coats work?
Reviewers who used them on their own dogs found they help, especially after a first towel dry. Animal Friends found one coat slower than a towel on its own, and a customer quoted by Take a Break found a coat better on top coats than on thick undercoats.
Is it bad to let my dog air dry?
The AKC, the RSPCA, PetMD and VCA all point to problems from fur that stays wet, such as mats, skin irritation and hot spots. Dry thick coats, folds and ears properly, and see your vet about any sore or smelly patch of skin.