Guide · Dryers
Can you use a human hair dryer on a dog?
AKC advises against it: use a dryer made for dogs and avoid heat, which might burn the skin. How to dry safely with what you have, and what to buy instead.
Short answer
AKC advises against it: use a dryer designed for dogs, and avoid heat, which might burn the skin.[1] Where other sources mention a blow dryer, it is only on the lowest or a "not too hot" setting.[2][3] If your own hair dryer is all you have, towel-dry first, use the coolest setting, keep it moving and away from the face and ears, and stop if your dog is stressed.
What the sources say
| Source | What it says about drying |
|---|---|
| AKC drying guide | Don't use a human blow dryer; choose a dryer designed for dogs. Avoid heat, which might burn the skin. High-velocity dryers dry with airflow, not heat. Keep the dryer away from the face and ears[1] |
| AKC groomer standards | Run dryers at low heat, avoid concentrating heated air on one area, keep the airflow moving and closely monitor the pet[4] |
| AKC Cocker Spaniel page | Blow-dry "on not too hot a setting"[3] |
| ASPCA, for cats | Dry in a towel in a warm place; use a blow dryer on the lowest heat setting only if the cat doesn't mind the noise[2] |
The common thread is heat. None of these sources suggests a hot dryer on a pet. Where a blow dryer is mentioned without more detail, it is on its lowest or a "not too hot" setting.
Why heat is the problem
AKC's reason is simple: heat might burn the skin.[1] AKC's groomer standards add the habits that prevent it: low heat, no heated air concentrated on one area, airflow kept moving, and close monitoring of the pet.[4] A dryer made for dogs doesn't need heat to work, because a high-velocity dryer blows water out of the coat.[1]
Some dogs need extra care. Cornell says brachycephalic breeds, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Boxers, cannot pant as efficiently and are at higher risk in hot or humid weather. It also advises extra precaution for dogs that are overweight, elderly, or have heart or breathing problems, and for dogs with thick or dark coats.[5] Cornell's advice is about summer weather, not dryers. We apply it here as a precaution: for these dogs, keep the heat off and the sessions short.
If an ordinary hair dryer is all you have
- Towel-dry thoroughly first, so the dryer has less to do.
- Use the coolest or lowest setting. Turn the heat off altogether if your dryer allows it.[1]
- Keep it moving. Never hold it on one spot.[4]
- Keep it away from the face and ears.[1]
- Keep your free hand in the airflow on the coat, so you feel what your dog feels.
- Watch your dog, not the coat. Moving away, yawning, shaking off and a tucked tail are early stress signs; trembling, excessive drooling, panting or growling mean stop.[6]
- Keep it away from water while it is plugged in. CPSC warns that a plugged-in appliance can cause a shock if it falls into water, even when switched off.[7]
If the noise is the problem, AKC suggests pairing the dryer with rewards; see how to groom an anxious dog for a step-by-step way to build up to it.[1]
What to look for in a dog dryer
We don't list a dryer yet: none we found meets our bar. When you shop:
| Look for | Why |
|---|---|
| Made for dogs | AKC's advice is a dryer designed for dogs[1] |
| Heat you can switch off or keep low | AKC's groomer standards call for low heat settings[4] |
| Variable speed | Lets you start gently. MetroVac, for example, markets the variable speed on one of its dryers as suiting noise-sensitive pets[8] |
| 120 V on the rating label | US wall outlets are 120 V,[9] and some dryers are sold in 220/240 V versions marked "Not for use in the US"[10] |
| A safety mark on the product | UL, ETL or CSA in the US; CSA, cUL or cETL in Canada[7][11] |
| Published specs | Volts, amps, watts, airflow and hose length make listings comparable. MetroVac's Commander, for example, lists 120 V, 10 A, 1,200 W and 126 CFM[8] |
A plug adapter changes the plug shape, not the voltage, so a 220 V dryer with an adapter is still a 220 V dryer.
Skip enclosed cage or crate dryers at home. AKC says some dogs find them stressful, and AKC's groomer standards call for a check every 5-7 minutes on any pet in an enclosed dryer.[1][4]
If you are deciding between a dryer and a grooming vacuum, they do different jobs; see dog dryer vs grooming vacuum.
Cats
ASPCA suggests drying a cat in a towel in a warm place, and using a blow dryer on the lowest heat setting only if the cat doesn't mind the noise.[2] Most healthy adult cats rarely need a bath at all, according to VCA.[12]
Next
Questions
Can I use my own hair dryer on my dog?
AKC advises against it and recommends a dryer designed for dogs. If it is all you have, use the coolest setting, keep it moving and away from the face and ears, and stop if your dog is stressed.[1]
Why is heat a problem when drying a dog?
AKC says heat might burn the skin, and that high-velocity dog dryers dry the coat with airflow rather than heat. AKC's groomer standards call for low heat settings and moving airflow.[1][4]
Can I blow-dry my cat?
ASPCA suggests drying a cat in a towel in a warm place, and using a blow dryer on the lowest heat setting only if the cat doesn't mind the noise.[2]
Is it OK to let my dog air dry?
Our sources set no rule on air-drying. AKC notes that drying helps prevent mats, tangles and bacterial growth, so at least towel-dry thoroughly, especially a thick or long coat.[1]
Are flat-faced breeds at more risk from a hot dryer?
Cornell says brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Boxers cannot pant as efficiently and are at higher risk in hot or humid weather. Cornell is writing about weather, not dryers, but it is a good reason to keep the heat off and sessions short.[5]