How to dry a small dog after a bath

To dry a small dog after a bath, press a towel into the coat to soak up water instead of rubbing, then finish with a dryer on a low or no-heat setting if your dog accepts it, keeping the air away from the face and ears. Dry the ears by hand and keep your dog in a warm room until the coat is completely dry.

The Pawsling grooming hammock mentioned below is for small dogs and cats only. Never leave your pet unattended in the hammock.

Why does drying matter for a small dog?

The AKC says "drying your dog helps keep them warm" and helps prevent mats and tangles. Fur that stays damp can also allow "bacteria growth (which may lead to skin infections)" (AKC: how to dry your dog). The AKC also points out that water trapped in the ear canal can lead to ear infections, which is why the ears get their own step below (AKC puppy bathing guide).

What do you need?

  • Two absorbent towels. PetMD notes that shammy-style towels absorb a lot of water and cut drying time, and most dogs tolerate them well (PetMD: getting your dog comfortable with a dryer).
  • A dryer with a low or no-heat setting, if you will use one. PetMD says human hair dryers can work for small dogs, though they are louder and have fewer settings than dog dryers.
  • Cotton balls for the outer ears, a brush or comb, and treats.
  • A warm, draft-free room to finish in.

How do you dry a small dog, step by step?

  1. Squeeze out water before you lift your dog out. Run your hands down the legs, body and tail to press out the worst of it.
  2. Press, don't rub. The AKC says: "Instead of rubbing, press the towel gently into your dog's fur." Vigorous rubbing can cause tangles and mats, especially on long coats like a Yorkie's or Shih Tzu's.
  3. Switch to a dry towel when the first one is soaked, and do the legs, belly and paws.
  4. Dry the ears. Gently wipe the inside of the ear flap with a towel or cotton ball. Do not push anything into the ear canal.
  5. Use the dryer only if your dog is comfortable with it. Start on the lowest setting with no heat, aimed downward and away from your dog (PetMD). The AKC notes that "the airflow, not heat, is drying their fur", and that heat can burn the skin. Keep the air away from the face and ears.
  6. Check the temperature on your own hand. PetMD's rule: "If it feels too hot on your hand, then it will definitely be too hot for your dog." Keep the dryer moving.
  7. Brush as you dry, in the direction the hair grows, as the AKC suggests for puppies.
  8. Finish somewhere warm. If your dog won't accept a dryer, towel drying and a warm room until the coat is fully dry is enough.

How do you get a nervous dog used to the dryer?

Do it in short sessions, separate from bath day. PetMD describes a gradual approach: dryer on the lowest setting with no heat, pointed downward, in a small room where the dog can move away; high-value treats one at a time while it runs; bring the treat hand slowly closer. Raise the setting only when your dog is relaxed at the current one. This can take one or two short sessions or several days. If your dog shows stress, go back a step.

Where does a grooming hammock help, and where doesn't it?

Drying a small dog on the floor means chasing a wet dog around the bathroom. In a grooming hammock your dog is lifted to working height and stays in one place:

  • You can press the towel into the belly, legs and paws, which hang free through the leg holes.
  • You don't have to hold the dog with one hand and the dryer with the other.
  • If you bathed in the hammock, you can go straight from rinsing to drying without lifting a wet dog out of the tub. See how to bathe a small dog at home.

The Pawsling grooming hammock with foldable stand is a freestanding stainless steel stand with a mesh bed. Where it doesn't help: it will not make a dryer-shy dog relaxed (that is training), and it is only for small dogs and cats. Afterwards let the mesh bed air-dry fully before folding it away. Check the fit in the size guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to let a small dog air dry?

Partly. Towel dry well first and keep your dog in a warm room until the coat is completely dry. The AKC notes that damp fur can allow bacteria growth and that drying keeps dogs warm.

Can I use my own hair dryer on my dog?

For a small dog, yes, on the lowest or no-heat setting. PetMD says human hair dryers can work for small dogs but are louder and have fewer settings. Test the air on your hand and keep it away from the face and ears.

Should I rub my dog dry with a towel?

No, press instead. The AKC says to press the towel gently into the fur, because vigorous rubbing can cause tangles and mats.

How do I dry my dog's ears after a bath?

Wipe the inside of the ear flap gently with a towel or cotton ball and don't push anything into the canal. Water trapped in the ear can lead to infections, so don't skip this step.

My dog is scared of the dryer. What should I do?

Towel dry and use a warm room for now. Separately, practise with the dryer off, then on the lowest no-heat setting pointed away, with treats, over short sessions.

Sources

The Pawsling team