Table of Contents:
You've given your pup a good shampoo and scrub down, and now it's time to get fluffy — well, fluffy and dry fur on the dog. Did you know that there is an art to drying a dog after a bath? For example, some dogs with thick or double coats can develop nasty skin conditions if the fur near their skin remains damp for a lengthy period. Let's learn how do groomers dry dogs.
The followings are the pros and cons of the four most popular ways to dry a dog after a bath:
Air Drying
Before you learn how to dry dogs after a bath with air drying, you should know whether you have a dog with a short coat or a large coat, you could always let it take care of its wet coat the old-fashioned way — a hard shake and a romp around the house. The problem with this method? More than likely, your pup is going to rub its wet dog smell against your furniture or roll on your carpet. Leaving your dog outside to air dry is not recommended, as it's likely that it will end up rolling in the grass or dirt and ruin all of your hard work. Even worse? If a white dog accidentally rolls on freshly mown grass, it could accidentally dye itself green.
Air drying after a bath is also not recommended for dogs with thick, long or double coats — especially if the weather is humid. A damp coat can lead to matting and will provide an ideal environment for skin infections and other conditions such as hot spots.
Towels
Drying a dog after a bath with a thick bath towel is a tried-and-true method for ridding a pup's coat of excess moisture. However, many people use towels improperly. For instance, some owners will rub their dog's coat vigorously with one. If your pup has a thick or long coat, though, this method could lead to tangles and mats. Instead, groomers recommend that you press a towel on a wet dog's fur to soak as much water as possible, then repeat until your pet is sufficiently dry. If you're using regular bath towels, you may need to have several on hand, as they will quickly get sodden.
A better way to dry your canine is to use a towel specifically designed for dog drying. The Absorber towel is much thinner than a bath towel but can draw a lot more water. It also has a smooth surface that won't cause tangles in your dog's fur. This towel can be easily wrung dry and used immediately over and over again, which means that you won't need multiple bath towels to dry your pup.
Hairdryer
A hairdryer can really speed up your pet's drying time. However, it's important to do the following, so you won't accidentally burn your canine:
- Use your dryer on its lowest setting or your dog will run around after a bath seeing the hairdryer in your hand.
- Keep the nozzle a couple of inches away from your dog's fur
- Always keep the nozzle in motion to avoid concentrating the heat in one spot on your canine
Introducing your dog to the hairdryer should be done gradually so that it can get used to the noise and sensation of having air blown on its fur. Still, keep in mind that some dogs will never accept the use of a dryer after bath time and will put up an incredible fight to avoid it.
Quick-Drying Spray
These sprays contain products that encourage water to wick away from a dog's coat, which, in theory, should reduce a pet's drying time. However, some users claimed that they noticed little or no difference in drying time. If you decide to use one of these sprays, you may have to experiment with the amount you apply to better ensure you get the best results.
Which of these four methods is best for drying a dog after a bath? It depends on several factors — including the length and type of a dog's coat and the weather conditions.
The good news is, drying your dog doesn’t have to be complicated. With help from The Absorber, as mentioned above, your dog will be dry in no time.