9 Steps for Safely Blow Drying Your Dog’s Fur at Home

No trip to the salon is complete without a luxurious blowout. Nobody wants to walk out of the salon with soaking wet hair, and this stands true for our canine friends as well. Since most dog groomers will blow dry a dog’s fur after their bath, does this mean it’s safe to blow dry your dog’s fur at home as well?

We want to show you how to give your dog a blowout from the comfort of your home, so let’s discuss the 9 steps for safely blow drying your dog’s fur!

Can You Blow Dry Your Dog’s Fur At Home?

Yes, you can certainly blow dry your dog’s fur from the comfort of your home! Blow drying your dog’s fur after a bath can improve the bathing experience for everyone. First, many pups will shiver after their bath due to the chill from their wet fur, so blow drying can help to warm them up at a faster rate and promote comfort.

Blow drying your dog after their bath can also be more convenient for you, as you will no longer have to worry about your pup running around and leaving damp spots on your furniture and rugs. It will also prevent your dog from shaking their wet fur around your house.

As long as you do so safely, blow drying your dog’s fur at home can benefit everyone!

Which Blow Dryer Should I Use For My Dog?

A blow dryer for dogs will be the safest option when grooming your little one from home. These blow dryers are designed for dog fur specifically, and they will not get as hot as human hair dryers do. They will also have different adapters to better style your dog’s fur, ranging from small funnels to those that can be clicked onto a cage.

However, if you do not have access to a blow dryer for dogs, you can use a human hair dryer as long as you use it on the lowest heat setting. You will also need to check the air flow repeatedly to make sure it is not getting too hot, as you never want to burn your dog’s skin. Some dogs have suffered from painful burns when using human hair dryers, and you never want this to happen to your canine friend.

“Hair dryers can burn a dog’s skin if they are placed directly against the skin, or if they are functioning on too high of a setting. These burns can be incredibly painful and lead to infection if left untreated.” – Dr. Amy Nicole Lewis, BVSc MRCVS

9 Steps For Safely Blow-Drying Your Dog’s Fur

#1 Warm Your Pet Up To The Idea Of Blow Drying

The sound of the blow dryer can scare your little one if they are not used to it. Many pets have never heard anything like this, so it’s best to warm them up to the blow dryer long before you have to actually use it. This will make it much less scary when it’s time for their actual blow out.

We suggest introducing your dog to the blow dryer by first turning on the dryer when they are not in the room. This will allow them to get used to the sound before the air is actually blowing against their fur.

Once your dog is no longer afraid of the blow dryer sound, you can then bring them into the room with the hair dryer, but do not blow it their way just yet. We suggest setting the blow dryer down and petting your little one, as this will help to ease their fears around the daunting sound.

Once your dog is no longer afraid of being in the same room as the blow dryer, you can start to blow some air their way. We suggest starting with the tail, and working your way up their body as they get used to the process.

#2 Towel Dry Your Dog’s Fur First

It’s always best to towel dry your dog as much as possible before turning on the blow dryer. It’s much easier to blow dry damp fur than it is soaking wet fur, and this will cut down on the amount of time the blow dryer will have to be running. Many dogs are afraid of the blow dryer sound, so it’s best to limit its running time when possible.

#3 Brush Out Any Tangles In Their Fur

Right before you turn on the blow dryer, we suggest running a brush through your dog’s fur to remove any tangles. Blow drying their fur before brushing it can cause unnecessary knotting, and this will only lead to pain for your pup when brushing them down the line.

#4 Make Sure The Air Is On A Comfortable Setting

It’s important to make sure your blow dryer is on a comfortable setting before using it on your dog, even if you are using a canine blow dryer. You can do this by blowing the air directly onto your skin and letting it sit for 10 seconds, testing for any pain or discomfort on your skin. The air should always be cool or warm, but it should never be hot.

It’s best to keep the blow dryer on the cool setting if you are using a human hair dryer.

#5 Always Keep The Blow Dryer A Couple Inches Away From The Skin

You should always keep the blow dryer at least two to three inches away from your dog’s skin at all times. Pressing the blow dryer directly to your dog’s skin can lead to pain and burning, even if the blow dryer is on a cooler setting. This is likely the most important tip when it comes to blow drying your dog’s fur at home.

#6 Start By Blow-Drying The Tail First

It’s best to start by blow drying your dog’s tail when drying their fur at home, as this can help them get used to the unfamiliar feeling before moving on to other parts of their body. If you start by immediately blowing the hair dryer at their face, you have an increased risk of overwhelming your dog.

#7 Be Careful Around The Eyes And Ears

Blowing air directly into your dog’s eyes or ears can be very uncomfortable for your little one. We suggest covering their eyes with your hands when blow drying around the face, and blowing down onto the top of their head when focusing on drying the ears.

#8 Brush Out Any Tangles At The End Of Their Blowout

You should always brush through your dog’s fur once they are all dry and fluffy. This will remove any minor tangles that formed during the drying process, and it will help them achieve optimal blowout volume! This is also the perfect time to remove any stray fur that broke lose during their blowout.

#9 Reward Your Dog At The End Of Their Blow Drying Session

The key to making this process enjoyable for your little one is by offering them plenty of praise and love. Be sure to talk to them softly and reassure your dog throughout the process, and give them their favorite treat once you are done!

Final Thoughts On Blow Drying Your Dog’s Fur

Learning how to blow dry your dog’s fur will take practice, but it will be well worth it in the end! Be sure to review the steps above on how to safely blow dry your dog’s fur, and you will run a full-service doggie salon in no time!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © yurakrasil/Shutterstock.com