The Best Dog Dryer (And Other Pets Too)

Whether you are a pet groomer or just like to save money and wash your pets at home, having all the right tools will make your job much easier. Furry animals are prone to getting dirty and wet. 

If you have a dog that loves to play in the mud after the snow melts in the first days of spring or a guinea pig that messed up her cage and needs a bath, you will need to invest in a pet dryer. However, did you know that you shouldn’t just use any dryer available on the market to dry your pet? There are some that are dangerous for dogs, cats, and other animals. 

With the intent of helping you find the safest, most affordable, and most durable options to keep your pets clean and dry, we scoured the internet for the best dog dryers. We’ll cover open and honest reviews from real customers, the disadvantages of certain types of dryers, and more! Firstly, let’s take a look at four of the best pet dryers on the market today.

Top Picks: The Best Dog Dryers Today

#1. Best Overall: Flying Pig Grooming High Velocity Dog Grooming Dryer

As the best dog dryer, the Flying Pig High Velocity Dog Grooming Dryer takes the cake. The system uses 4 horsepower, which consumes 60% less electricity than a standard system, and is made from steel for durability. The adjustable dryer has a 240 cubic foot per minute (CFM) air velocity and a 2,800 feet per minute airspeed (FPM). With the ten-foot flexible hose and two nozzle choices, you’ll be able to dry any sort of fur coat quickly. 

If you purchase this pet dryer, you’ll love that it comes with an additional filter. You can pick from three different colors for the floor unit: pink, green, or purple. It has a handy top handle for portability and weighs only ten pounds. 

Aside from that, there are two heat levels on this small powerhouse. Based on your dog’s coat, you may set it from low (81 degrees) to high (160 degrees). You don’t have to worry about it burning your canine’s skin, instead, it will quickly dry him and assist eliminate undercoat. There have been some complaints from users that the actual dryer buttons are not well made and break easily, however.

Pros and Cons of the Flying Pig Grooming High Velocity Dog Grooming Dryer

Best Overall

Flying Pig Grooming High Velocity Dog Grooming Dryer

• Durable steel-casing and 4 horsepower motor
• 10-foot hose is flexible and provides maximum reach
• Two nozzle choices work on various lengths of fur
• Available in three color choices
• Portable and lightweight

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2. Best Standing Dryer: Free Paws Dog Pet Dryer

If you want a standing dog dryer that works great for larger breeds, consider the Free Paws Dog Pet Dryer. It has a 4-HP stepless motor with a power range of 400 to 3,000 watts. The yellow stand drier hangs from a movable arm that can be adjusted to 35.5 or 51.2 inches for hands-free cleaning.

Furthermore, the base of the product is on wheels and can rotate 360 degrees as well as tilt 120 degrees in either direction to make drying your pet quick and painless. There are two speeds and two different heat levels with a low setting of 96 degrees and a high setting of 167 degrees. 

However, just like our overall best choice, this may become rather hot, particularly for small dog breeds. This is, in fact, a superior alternative for bigger breeds due to the structure and heat. It’s worth noting that this model is a little noisier, at roughly 68 dB.

It is equipped with a flexible power cord that will not split or fray, but it is only 2.5 feet long, which limits movement. This model comes with five nozzle attachments, making it easy to dry your furry friend. Furthermore, this is a hefty model, coming in at 47 pounds.

Pros and Cons of the Free Paws Dog Pet Dryer

Best Standing Dryer

Free Paws Dog Pet Dryer

• Standing dryer on wheels makes it portable
• 4 horsepower motor is powerful enough to thoroughly dry fur
• Flexible no-fray power cord
• Includes five nozzle attachments

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3. Best Premium Choice: DUZ Hands-Free Dog & Cat Grooming Dryer

Check out the DUZ Hands-Free Dog & Cat Grooming Dryer for a premium option that’s worth the investment. A 360-degree adjustable drying tube allows heated air to be directed where it is needed in this lightweight but powerful dryer. There is an attachment for mounting on a wall as well as a free-standing base included with this product.

It is a quiet machine that runs on four different heat settings as well as three different speeds. In spite of the lack of control, it is still a good choice for most users, even though it offers less control than those with step-less speed controls. Additionally, the tube nozzle works on both large and small dogs, which is appreciated by reviewers. Many owners also say that their dogs remain calmer when using it because it has a very quiet motor.

Some users, however, were concerned about the dryer’s power, claiming that it wasn’t strong enough for dogs with fluffy coats.

Pros and Cons of the DUZ Hands-Free Dog & Cat Grooming Dryer

Best Premium Choice

DUZ Hands-Free Dog & Cat Grooming Dryer

• Features 4 temperature settings and 3 fan speeds
• Comes with a 360-degree adjustable drying tube 
• Quieter than regular hair dryers
• Thirty-minute auto shut-off feature

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4. Best Budget: SHELANDY Dog Grooming Dryer

You can’t go wrong with the SHELANDY Dog Grooming Dryer if you’re looking for value. There is a lot you get for your money when you purchase this blow dryer. In spite of its lower cost, this dog hair dryer has two heat settings, a gentle 65 mph airflow control, and various nozzles for different coat types.

The motor is specially designed so it’s not too loud, but it’s not quiet either. Even though there’s special noise reduction technology in this equipment, some customers still say it’s too loud.

Additionally, by utilizing the long hose, you will be able to get some distance between the unit and the dog so the sound will not be as loud to them when the unit is running. The kit comes with four nozzles and a spring hose to customize to your dog’s coat. Despite only having two temperature settings, you can ensure an optimal drying result with this dog hair dryer. With this device, thick or thin fur can be easily dried.

Pros and Cons of the SHELANDY Dog Grooming Dryer

Best Budget

SHELANDY Dog Grooming Dryer

• Features noise reduction technology 
• 2 heat settings
• Available in two color options
• Comes with 4 types of nozzles

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What to Look For in the Best Dog Dryer

When your dog has a lot of fur, it is helpful to use a blow dryer. It is possible for dogs with long or thick hair to take a long time to dry off, which can lead to hot spots or matted fur. Nevertheless, pet owners have a wide variety of options, as you can see. The best dog dryer is one that meets your needs. But how do you know which features to look for?

There are six main factors to consider when choosing the right dog dryer for your pup:

• Volume
• Ease of use 
• Durability 
• Speed and heat 
• Size 
• Storage 

In the following section, we will explore each of these factors in more detail in order to get a better understanding:

Volume

Keep your expectations in check. There will never be a completely silent dryer. A metal housing amplifies noise far more than a polymer housing, which absorbs it. Actively seek a dog drier that says it uses patented technology or current silencing technology.

It’s known that a noisy dryer can scare away a wet puppy. Pick a good dryer that produces the least amount of noise, and read user reviews! If the internal elements of a fragile dryer are not firmly fitted or have fallen loose, the machine might emit unpleasant noises. Regular maintenance will be required in any case. 

If you’re considering a stand drier, for instance, consider if it includes vibration pads to reduce the noise created when the device shakes or moves. When a dog dryer is off-balance, it will produce noise as it moves with the power of the air from the nozzle.

Ease of Use

Are you experienced with dog grooming? If not, you may want to make sure the device is easy to use. It would be a waste of money if you bought a contraption you couldn’t use. Will you be traveling with the dryer? Look for something that’s easy to lift and compact enough to fit in your vehicle.

Durability 

Ensure the materials utilized can last a long time. You don’t want to have to replace your pet dryer that often. Although metallic-based dryers are known to be more durable, they may corrode or even increase the noise of the motor they are housing. 

You want a dryer that will remain in good condition for a longer period of time. The ones with a fragile plastic body are worthless, so go for the ones made of rust-resistant steel. Furthermore, a great dryer must be impact-resistant. It’s almost certain that you’ll drop the dryer if you have an excitable dog. This could easily damage a plastic body. 

Something else to consider while assessing the dryer’s endurance is how much energy it consumes and in what form. If it’s a battery-powered dog dryer, it’s unlikely to last as long as an electric dog dryer.

Speed and Heat 

A variety of alternatives are available, each with a distinct speed setting. It’s important to note that when we talk about speed, we’re talking about velocity, not heat. You might be able to get away with one level if you only have one puppy, but two are always better for those with more than one animal.  

You’ll notice that some dryers have heat and others don’t. Even pet dryers that rely on ambient heat will become heated due to the engine alone. Keep in mind that your dog may not be able to take the heat, so choose a model with a “no-heat” setting or adjustable heat at the least.

Size 

Stand dryers are the ideal option for individuals wanting to buy only one type of dryer. They are more convenient to store and are also more powerful. They don’t tend to weigh a lot, despite appearing as they do.

If you have a spare corner in your garage or shed, they are quite efficient and long-lasting. Smaller portable dryers are useful if you have limited room, but keep in mind that they are ineffective for larger dogs. You may select from a variety of different features in the finest dog hair dryers, based on your need. Hands-free choices, as well as wire length, should be considered, as well as the power and voltage requirements.

Storage

It may surprise you to discover how many shapes and sizes are available in dryers. So, whether you choose a portable dog dryer, a standing dryer, a cage dryer, or a fixed dryer, ensure it meets your requirements in terms of size, cost, mounting hardware, power, settings, and so on. Do you have a small dog? To dry your dog, you will only need a small portable device similar to a hair dryer. However, when it comes to somewhat larger ones, pick carefully. Breeders and groomers are big fans of cage dryers. This is useful because it allows many dogs to partially dry before the use of the dryer itself! This makes pooches a lot more comfortable and at ease.

The 4 Different Types of Dog Dryers

You can use a variety of different types of dryers on your pet, as mentioned earlier. Although there are four types of dryers available, it’s important to know the differences between them.

Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of each:

• Cage dryers — These are great for dogs who don’t like to stay still while grooming. Thick-haired pets may not benefit from this style of dryer because it pushes out less air during use.
• Standing dryers — This type of dryer is most commonly used by professionals and allows the groomer to have full control whether they’re sitting or standing. They are known to be bulky and can vibrate, causing more noise. 
• Forced dryers — The main thing to know about this style of dryer is that they don’t dry. Forced dryers are designed to get the water off of your dog’s coat. This is ideal for pets with finer hair but may not be great for thicker coats.
• Handheld blow dryers — These dryers are portable, easy to control, and small. They’re often compact and easy to travel with as well. However, they can make drying difficult with larger breeds with more fur.

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