When giving your dog a bath, you have a couple options for drying them off afterwards. You can actively dry them with a towel, or you can let them air dry. Air drying may seem like an easy option, but is it actually good for your dog?
Can I let my dog air dry?
Yes, you can let your dog air dry after a bath. Allowing your dog to air dry is not harmful or dangerous. Many dog owners opt to let their dogs drip dry or air dry after bath time. As long as you have sufficiently rinsed all the shampoo and soap out of their coat, letting them air dry is perfectly fine.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to let your dog air dry:
- Air drying will likely take longer than actively drying with a towel. So only let your dog air dry if you have time and patience. It may take several hours for them to fully dry depending on their coat type.
- Make sure your home is warm enough. Don’t let your dog air dry in a cold or drafty environment. The ambient temperature should be at least 65-70°F.
- Keep your dog confined to a single room with easy-to-clean floors while they are drying. This prevents wet dog smell from spreading all over the house and minimizes mess.
- Monitor your dog during the drying process. Some dogs may try to rub up against furniture or roll around trying to get dry faster. Make sure they don’t make a mess or track water around.
- Use a fan to help speed up the drying process if desired. But don’t aim it directly at your dog, as the focused airflow could be uncomfortable.
As long as you take these precautions, there is no harm in letting your dog drip dry after a bath. Just be prepared for it to take a while!
Benefits of air drying
There are a few potential benefits that come with allowing your dog to air dry:
- Less damage to coat and skin: Vigorously rubbing with a towel can damage some dogs’ skin and coat. Air drying is gentler.
- Less drying time for you: Towel drying your dog’s thick fur can take ages. Letting them air dry saves you time and effort.
- Less struggle and stress: Some dogs hate being towel dried and will try to wiggle away. Air drying prevents this battle of wills.
- Better smell: The natural air drying process may help the “wet dog” smell dissipate more effectively than towel drying.
So if your dog is well-behaved, has thick fur, and doesn’t love being towel dried, allowing them to air dry makes the process easier for both of you.
Downsides of air drying
There are also a few potential downsides to be aware of if you let your dog air dry:
- Longer process: As mentioned, air drying can take hours, whereas towel drying may only take 10-20 minutes.
- Risk of hypothermia: If your house is too cold or drafty, air drying could lead to your dog getting a chill.
- Messes: Containing all the drips and shaking is harder without a towel. Be prepared for some wet paw prints.
- Bad behavior: Some dogs may try to rub against furniture or roll around when air drying, making a mess.
- Lingering odor: Air drying may not eliminate all doggy smell the way properly towel drying can.
So if you need your dog dried quickly, live in a cold environment, or know your dog is prone to bad behavior when wet, air drying may not be the best option.
Tips for quick and effective air drying
If you want air drying to go as smoothly and quickly as possible, follow these tips:
- Bath your dog early in the day so they have plenty of time to fully dry.
- Warm up your home to at least 65°F to encourage drying.
- Confine your dog to a room with tile or wood floors that are easy to clean.
- Place absorbent towels on the floor under them to contain drips.
- Gently squeeze excess water from their coat before letting them drip dry.
- Use a fan on low speed directed away from your dog to circulate air.
- Occasionally rub them with a microfiber towel just to speed up drying.
- Give your dog a treat or chew toy to occupy them while drying.
Following these tips will help the air drying process go faster and smoother while still being gentle on your dog.
How long does it take for a dog to air dry?
How long it takes for your dog to fully air dry depends on several factors:
| Factor | Drying Time |
|---|---|
| Coat length | Short hair: 1-2 hours Medium hair: 2-4 hours Long hair: 4+ hours |
| Coat thickness | Fine coat: 1-3 hours Thick double coat: 3-5 hours |
| Coat density | Sparse coat: 1-2 hours Dense coat: 3-5+ hours |
| Bath water temperature | Cool water: 2-4 hours Warm water: 3-5+ hours |
| Ambient temperature | 60°F: 5-8 hours 70°F: 2-4 hours 80°F+: 1-3 hours |
| Air circulation | Still air: 4-6 hours With fan: 2-4 hours |
As you can see, it can take 4 hours or more for dogs with long, thick, dense coats to completely air dry. Smaller dogs with fine hair may dry in just an hour or two. Turning on a fan and increasing the ambient temperature will significantly speed up drying time across the board.
Should certain dogs be towel dried instead?
While air drying is generally safe for most dogs, there are some situations where it’s better to towel dry your dog instead:
- Puppies: Young puppies have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Towel drying ensures they don’t get chilled.
- Old dogs: Senior dogs tend to have thinner coats and feel the cold more. Towel dry to prevent temperature drops.
- Short-haired breeds: Dogs like Greyhounds, Boxers, and Pit Bulls have minimal coat protection when wet.
- Dogs prone to matting: Wet hair can tangle and mat in breeds like Poodles. Rubbing with a towel helps prevent this.
- Dogs who love water: If your dog tries to jump into the tub mid-bath or rubs on wet surfaces, towel dry to minimize mess.
For these dogs, actively towel drying them is a safer bet than air drying to prevent any temperature or skin issues.
Should I partially dry before air drying?
It’s a good idea to partially towel dry your dog before allowing them to finish air drying. Here’s why:
- Removes excess water weighing down the coat
- Speeds up the air drying process
- Lessens the mess from drips and shakes
- Gives you a chance to fluff and separate the hair
- Ensures the skin and undercoat get dried
- Warms your dog up if they are shivering
Aim to towel dry your dog for 5-10 minutes, focusing on soaking up moisture rather than rubbing vigorously. Pay extra attention to hard-to-air-dry spots like between the toes, under the collar, the armpits, and the underbelly. Then let your dog finish drying in the air.
How to maintain healthy skin and coat when air drying
To keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy when air drying:
- Fully rinse out all shampoo to prevent residue buildup
- Use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air
- Spray on a hydrating leave-in conditioner
- Brush your dog regularly when dry to distribute oils
- Use a moisturizing balm on dry spots
- Switch to towel drying if your dog develops dry, flaky skin
The occasional air dry is fine for most dogs. But if air drying routinely, take steps to replenish moisture and oils to their skin and coat.
Signs your dog is getting too cold while air drying
Look for these signs that indicate your dog is getting chilled during the air drying process:
- Shivering or trembling
- Whining or seeming anxious
- Seeking out warm spots to curl up in
- Ears or paws feeling cool to the touch
- Raising hackles to trap body heat
- Activity level decreasing as if tired or lethargic
If you notice any of these, grab a towel and actively finish drying your dog. Make sure to get them fully dry and warmed back up.
Conclusion
Air drying after a bath is perfectly fine for most healthy adult dogs. It’s a gentle, low-effort way to dry them off without struggling with towels. However, air drying does take significantly longer than towel drying. Make sure your home is warm, monitor your dog during the process, and take steps to prevent messes. For certain dogs like puppies or short-haired breeds, active towel drying is the safer choice. In general, aim to partially dry first with a towel, then let your dog finish air drying for best results.