The best dog drying coats are typically extremely absorbent and fast drying, designed to be put on the dog after a wet walk, soaking up the water and picking up the dirt. They also keep the dog warm and cosy so he doesn’t catch a chill.
A wet dog’s shake is part and parcel of canine ownership, and can be quite endearing if it doesn’t soak you or splash your walls with dirty splatters. But never mind the mess, the dog wants to be dry! Rather than using a towel to soak up as much moisture as possible, and still leaving a somewhat cold, wet dog, the best drying dog coats do most of the job for you. They’re handy for avoiding dirty, splashy shakes in the house, but also useful to keep them warm in the car when you’ve made a trip to a lake or the seaside – or just a rainy day, or even for after you’ve given your dog a wash.
Best drying dog coats
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Henry Wag Drying Coat
Sizes: XS–XXL
Colour: Grey/light blue
The Henry Wag Drying Coat is made using highly absorbent microfibre material which is effective at removing dirt and water from a dog’s coat. Use after wet walks to enclose your dog to wipe away the water and dirt leaving your dog clean and dry. Ideal for use on soggy doggies after wet, muddy walks to protect car and home interiors.
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The Wagging Tailor Dog Drying Coat
Sizes: XS to XL
Colour: Navy
A microfibre towelling coat that is both absorbent and fast drying. The microfibre picks up the dirt and also offers extra thickness and warmth to help your dog dry off comfortably.
It is easily adjustable under the belly and around the collar with simple velcro straps, for the perfect fit.
Can be machine-washed at up to 40ºC.
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WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Dog Dry Bag
Sizes: XXS to 3XL
Colour: Navy
Not quite a rug, but this dry bag does this same job. Made of towelling fleece with a zip along the back seam, this bag is designed to keep dirty paw prints from entering your home and car. And you can use it to dry your dog after a walk or bath.
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Collared Creatures Dog Drying Coat
Sizes: XS–XXL
Colours: Green or purple
A 358gsm microfibre cotton towelling inner, with a 300gsm fleece outer. There is a front neck zip to increase breathability once the dog is dry, which can be fully unzipped and the flexible fleece collar rolled backwards.
There are optional soft rear leg elastic straps for creating an all round snugger fit, as well as velcro straps to provide your dog with the snuggest fit possible while drying. And it has a handy inside loop for hanging up. Machine washable and low-heat tumble dry.
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Ruff and Tumble Dog Drying Coat
Sizes: XXXS–XL, plus 6 breed-specific sizes
Colours: Sandringham blue, blackberry, mud, beach stripes, French navy, burgundy, harbour stripes, brick red, heather or bottle green
This “dog dressing gown” is ultra-absorbent yet breathable. It dries your dog quickly, with double-thickness towelling for comfort. Manufacturers say it is the number one multi-purpose dog towel robe on the market for indoor and outdoor use, as well as travel. It has also featured as a winner on BBC1’s The Customer is Always Right.
The inside layer wicks moisture from the coat, and their body heat pushes the moisture through to the outer layer of towelling. Accessories include a long adjustable hood/collar, a handy hanging loop, and an extra wide belly flap for maximum coverage. Plus adjustable velcro and elasticated leg straps for the perfect fit.
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Bella & Balu Dog Bathrobe
Sizes: XXS to XL
Colours: Grey, blue or brown
A microfibre dog robe with soft hood and belt for drying both the head and stomach as well as the body. It has velcro closures for easy dressing. Made from 400gsm microfibre towel, fast-drying, absorbent and comfortable. A nice extra detail is it includes a paw wipe! Machine-washable.
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Lucky Paws Dog Drying Coat
Sizes: XXS–Giant
Colours: Amber, aubergine, burgundy, dusty pink, French navy, grey, petrol blue, plum or teal
Made of a double-layered microfibre fabric to speed up the drying process, with the inner layer drawing the moisture from the dog’s coat and transferring it to the upper, so the dog is not enduring trapped moisture. The leg straps are also the same soft microfibres, meaning no chafing on sensitive wet skin.
Super plus, smart and made from a fabric that neither snags nor bobbles. We love the tasteful array of colours – suitable for all dog breeds and variations.
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Pastel Pooch Dog Drying Coat
Sizes: nine sizes from XS–XXXXL
Colour: Lilac, sage green, mustard yellow, latte, bubble gum pink or candy floss blue
Pastel Pooch offers a stunning selection of pastel-coloured drying coats, made from premium microfibre towelling, which is super soft, durable, breathable and quick-drying. The coats are double-layered which makes them extra-thick and effective as the first layer draws the moisture away from the dog’s fur into the second layer, from which it evaporates.
The coat features leg straps to keep the coat in place, and an extra-wide Velcro waistband for comfort, plus a cute roll-back hood to help dry the ears. Can be personalised with your dog’s name embroidered on the coat, which is a lovely touch.
I tested this coat on Fidget, a springer spaniel. It is extremely cosy, and the microfibre is plush and high-quality, with no snagging. It fits Fidget beautifully with the adjustable waist strap, although his long springer ears don’t like to stay in the hood! He seemed to love wearing the coat after a dip in the pond, and dried quickly. Added bonus, I think it looks adorable!
How we chose the best drying coats
The best dog drying coats are absorbent and fast drying. There’s nothing worse than simply trapping the moisture between the dog and the coat, leaving the fur little chance of drying off efficiently, and a wet dog for hours on end. Fabric is key, so we’ve selected coats made from premium microfibre for the speediest and most comfortable drying experience. Ideally, they have a double layer, so that the moisture can be wicked away from the dog’s fur and evaporate out of the coat, keeping them toasty warm at the same time.
Plus, we’ve picked coats that look good too. Who doesn’t want to look great in their dressing gown?
Should you dry a wet dog?
As a general rule it’s not a good idea to leave your dog’s fur wet. It’s a different matter in hot weather, however, when your dog may benefit from the cooling effects of water evaporating from their skin. It depends also on the breed of dog, as those with short fur will dry very quickly, while the longer coats can take a very long time to dry, especially if it’s cold. Damp fur can cause your dog to feel cold and uncomfortable. It can even lead to fungal or bacterial infections.
A dog drying coat is handy because it avoids the need to rub towels on the dog’s coat, which can cause mats, skin irritation and doesn’t dry them off totally. Instead you leave them cosily in this canine towelling robe, which usually has double layering to wick moisture away from the skin, and they emerge warm and dry.
Can you dry a dog with a hairdryer?
You may notice if your dog frequents a salon, that groomers use different types of professional drying equipment. For certain show breeds, blow drying is essential as it will make the dog’s coat look its very best. But for those of you at home, just wanting your pet pooch to be dry and comfortable after a bath or a rainy walk, you can use a normal hair dryer or a specially designed hair dryer for dogs (like this one on Amazon).
Always give your dog time to get used to the sensation and the noise. A warm setting is best – hot can be too hot, and cold can be unpleasant when the dog is wet and cold already as well as slow to dry. The higher the airflow the better as you’ll get the job done more quickly but always assess how your dog is coping with it.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
