For both dogs and dog owners alike, doggy bathtime is almost always a chore. The entire time your pup is in the tub, it’s stressful for both dog and master, and the stress doesn’t end with that final rinse. Once your dog is out of the bath, it needs to be dried in order to keep his coat neat and healthy as well as to prevent him from getting too chilly.
Our vet advisor, Amanda Jondle, DVM, looked at a variety of different styles and took into account a wide range of features including airspeed, heat level, attachments, and noise in order to narrow our search to only the top dog hair dryers. The Shelandy Stepless Pet Hair Force Dryer features a heater to make sure your pup is warm and a soft volume to keep him calm. Read how she chose the top 5.
Many dogs also need to be dried so that their coat can be properly styled to help the pooch look their best. With the right hair dryer, though, drying your dog’s coat can be quick and easy.
Our Vet’s Top 5 Dog Hair Dryers
Here are the top picks from our veterinarian. Compare the ratings and features of different models.
| Vet’s Picks | Model | Rating | Hose Length | Number of Attachments | Adjustable Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Shelandy Stepless Pet Hair Force Dryer | 6.1′ | 4 | ||
| Best Budget Buy | Go Pet Club Pet Grooming Hair Dryer for Dogs and Cats | 4′ | 3 | ||
| Best Professional | Double K Industries ChallengAir 560 Cage Dryer | N/A | 0 | ||
| Best High Velocity | Shernbao High Velocity Professional Dog Pet Grooming Hair Drying Force Dryer Blower | 8′ | 3 | ||
| Best Quiet | PetNF Professional Pet Hair Dryer | 9.8′ | 3 |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
Who Should Buy a Dog Hair Dryer
- Allergy-sensitive homes – When you live in a home with members who are especially sensitive to common allergens, then a way to eliminate the pet dander from your dog is a must. 1 Frequent washing will help minimize the negative impact your pet has on those allergies and that much washing will require frequent drying.
- Muddy puppies – For the curious pup who always seems to be getting into trouble, you’ll be spending more time than you may have imagined washing your dog. In order to streamline the whole process, you’ll appreciate the convenience of a hair dryer for your dog.
- So. Much. Hair. – If you have a long-haired breed dog, then you’ll probably want to consider how long it takes your dog to dry after a bath. Then think about how much of your home he can soak by the time he’s dry. A hair dryer specifically for him is a must-have item.
Who Should Not Buy a Dog Hair Dryer
- You don’t need it – There aren’t many scenarios where you can’t use a hair dryer for your dog, but if your pup has short hair that dries quickly, then you probably won’t use it often.
- Salon-frequenters – If you don’t bathe your pup, as a general rule, then you may just be wasting your money with a dog hair dryer. For the pups who need a lot of maintenance with their hygiene, you may still benefit from an at-home solution, but if you’re going to the groomer weekly anyways, it may not be a priority.
Research Tips (From a Veterinarian)
When finding the right dog hair dryer, it’s important to do your homework. Reading articles like this is the best first step, but don’t skip prioritizing your needs and your dogs in order to get the best for you both. Here’s what to consider when looking for a dog hair dryer:
- Consider safety and nerves – With dryers, the most important thing to consider is safety. Make sure the dryer is made for dogs and has some temperature control to keep from harming your pup. Remember they don’t understand what’s happening; features that make the experience a bit less stressful are a big plus.
- Protect their ears – A quiet dryer is important. Dogs and cats have more sensitive ears than humans and sitting in front of a noisy dryer for a long time can damage their ears and be scary!2 The quieter the better.
- Variety is your best bet – Adjustability in airspeed and temperature are important. No two pets are the same, so having options and variety is good, not only to make sure your multiple pets are content but that your singular pet has options, too.
- Accessories make it easier for everyone – A flexible, long hose with various nozzles and tools will allow you to do exactly what you want for each and every bath time. Working without the proper equipment to do your specific job will frustrate you and make the process longer, annoying your pooch, too.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $100 and $200
As with virtually any small appliance or hair styling instrument, there is a huge range of cost for a dog hair dryer. You’ll be able to get a quality product for under $100, or a luxury, spa-like hair dryer that will last your lifetime for around $500. Despite the range, most fall within a pretty narrow margin, though. You can expect to spend between $100 and $200 on most dog hair dryers.
Our Methodology: Why Trust Pango Pets
As owner and veterinarian of a vet clinic, I’ve dealt with plenty of wet dogs. Long hair, short hair – no matter the breed, I fully understand the need for a quality dog hair dryer in order to maintain proper pet hygiene. The convenience of owning one is unparalleled for bathtime. Anxious dogs may not appreciate the noise, but they will appreciate the process being over faster and getting your dog back to normal faster will only strengthen your bond. – Amanda Jondle, DVM
The Best Dog Hair Dryers: Full Reviews
The Shelandy Stepless Pet Hair Force Dryer features a flexible hose that can be stretched to more than six feet long. It comes with four different nozzles which can be attached to the hose: a narrow round nozzle, a narrow flat nozzle, a wide flat nozzle, and a comb nozzle. The air temperature can be switched between cool and warm, and a protector limits the heat of the air ensuring that it’s always a safe temperature for your pooch.
The SHELANDY Adjustable Speed Pet Hair Dryer with Heater is available in pink or blue and comes with a one-year warranty. It works for any size cat or dog and even has some noise reduction qualities. This is our best overall pick because it includes some of the best of everything – good price, adjustable, variety of nozzles, good for cats and dogs, quieter than many, and a warranty.
- 1-year warranty
- Includes 4 nozzles
- Adjustable temperature and airflow
- Loud operation
- Occasional overheating
The Go Pet Club Pet Grooming Hair Dryer for Dogs and Cats is just what you need for a dog hair dryer. You’ll be able to use the flexible hose to dry specific areas on your dog and whether that’s the parts that are prone to maintaining wetness, or if you only wash a specific part to clean him up after a mess, it’s still a big win.
You will have an adjustable speed and temperature to make the dryer work for virtually any job you have and you can expect this to work on even the thickest coats, or most skittish dogs. – You’ll get it all with great quality at an excellent price.
- Adjustable speed and temperature
- Includes 3 nozzles and flexible hose
- Inexpensive
- Loud operation
- Bulky size
The Double K Industries ChallengAir 560 Cage Dryer is a large dog dryer that performs well even with extended use. It’s ideal for smaller areas, drying a still damp dog by making sure the air is properly ventilated. If you use the dog hair dryer for a business, or even just multiple dogs, then you’ll want to invest in a professional dryer that will stand the test of time and this definitely fits the bill.
Its heavy-duty design provides a double air filtration to make sure you’re not polluting your air and it even works on a cage. It has great temperature control to promote safety and its adjustable airflow will allow you to give your dog customized care.
- Rustproof and fireproof
- Impact-resistant housing
- Thermostatic temperature control
- Dangerous if left unattended
- No attachments
The Shernbao High Velocity Professional Dog Pet Grooming Hair Drying Force Dryer Blower is highly efficient, has two temperature settings, and adjustable speed. It even has noise control and is small, convenient with a cute design.
It also features a speed dial that allows you to adjust the dryer’s airspeed between 64,000 FPM (feet per minute) and 68,000 FPM with an air volume of 210 CFM (cubic feet per minute), giving you precise control and allowing you to reduce noise levels for sensitive dogs. Thanks to the effectiveness of the powerful air velocity, this dog hair dryer doesn’t have or need a heating element. The Shernbao 5.0HP Professional Dog Hair Dryer comes with an 8-foot flexible hose, three air filters, and three different nozzles: a round nozzle, a wide flat nozzle, and a narrow flat nozzle.
- Includes a 1-year warranty
- 8′ flexible hose
- Adjustable speed and temperature
- Attachments can blow off
- Stiff hose
The PetNF Professional Pet Hair Dryer is an excellent option if your pup is especially sensitive to noise. It keeps noise below 60dB and that is similar to the sound of conversation. That also makes it ideal for the nervous dog who can’t handle stressful situations or loud noises. The less your pup struggles, the faster you can get through the grooming process, making this an excellent option to speed through bathtime.
You can adjust the temperature and the speed of this dryer, and the built-in thermometer will allow you to keep your dog in a comfortable, safe drying environment every step of the way. It’s even robust enough that the manufacturer claims it can be used for six hours straight before ever needing to be turned off.
- 8 temperature and speed settings
- Easy-to-use LED display
- Hose stores in housing
- Buttons aren’t especially responsive
- Safety heat turn off after only 2 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dog hair dryer and how does it work?
What is a blowout for dogs?
What do groomers use to dry dogs?
How do you dry a dog’s fluff?
- Liccardi G, Calzetta L, Baldi G, et al. Allergic sensitization to common pets (cats/dogs) according to different possible modalities of exposure: an Italian Multicenter Study. Clin Mol Allergy. 2018;16:3. Published 2018 Feb 2. doi:10.1186/s12948-018-0081-z
- Franzini de Souza CC, Dias DPM, de Souza RN, de Medeiros MA. Use of behavioural and physiological responses for scoring sound sensitivity in dogs. PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0200618. Published 2018 Aug 1. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200618
