Proper Use of a Blow Dryer on a Dog's Head

Professional groomers use dryers designed for dogs.
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While you can safely use a blow dryer on your dog after a bath, you have to operate it differently than you would for yourself. The blow dryer may help eliminate dampness from his fur, but if you aren't careful, you can accidentally hurt your pet -- especially around his head and eyes. The fur isn't typically as thick around his head and face, so you must be extra careful to avoid burning his skin.

Drying Your Dog

To blow dry around your dog's head, keep the hair dryer about 6 inches from his body, and avoid blowing it in his eyes. Keep it on its lowest setting and continuously move it -- this prevents the heat from burning his skin. The safest thing you can do is run the blow dryer on a cool setting, or use a dog blow dryer, which blasts cool-to-warm air at a high speed. While this doesn't have the same drying effect as heat, it strips excess water from the dog's coat while blasting away the loose hairs that he would otherwise shed. Whether using a warm or cool dryer, avoid pointing it near his eyes, which is an unpleasant experience for your dog.