If your dog loves to dive into local rivers or roll in muddy puddles on their walks, the best dog drying coat will keep them warm and snuggly while they dry off. Not only that but it'll prevent you, your car or your home from getting soaked when they do the dreaded dog "shake off", especially when they're sopping wet. If your dog can't help but get down, dirty and wet when they're out and about, a dog drying coat will be just as essential as dog grooming products to get them dry and clean in no time.
The best dog drying coats are essentially like a dressing gown for your furry friend. They're designed to dry your dog quicker than you can with a doggy towel as it basically does all the hard work for you. They're usually made of absorbing layers of microfibre, cotton or towelling materials for quick drying, which will also provide some comfort for your pooch. They will help your pup stay warm, and can even help to minimise that wet dog smell from setting in as they get to work fast.
Best dog drying coat at a glance:
• Best overall: Ruff and Tumble Classic Dog Drying Coat – View on Amazon UK
• Best for size range: Pastel Pooch Boutique Personalised Luxury Dog Drying Coat – View on Not on the Highstreet
• Best for outdoor adventures: Regatta Dog Drying Coat – View on Regatta
There are a couple of things you'll want to think about when choosing the best dog drying coat for your pooch. We've covered this in more detail in our FAQs section, but the main things to think about are the size and fit, the material it's made from, how simple it is to put on and take off, as well as how easy it is to clean after use. Of course, drying coats are more than just a pet care essential, they can be a bit of a fashion accessory. There are many colours and patterns to choose from so you can make sure your pooch looks and feels their best while getting dry.
Whatever style of coat you choose, your furry friend is sure to feel pampered as soon as they try one on. The best drying coats will have your soggy doggy bone dry in no time, so we've searched the web to bring you a selection of great drying coats that are best sellers online or come highly rated by us or real-life customers.
Best dog drying coat
Best overall
Credit: Holly Yeeles/Take a Break PetsThis one is for those of you who love a classic look. This Ruff and Tumble Classic Dog Drying Coat is made from soft cotton and has the brand's signature deep collar to help dry your pooch's little ears and face. Recommended by vets, it will dry your dog in minutes, making being washed something neither you nor your dog will dread moving forward. It comes in sizes XXXS-XL with a variety of colours available like Brick Red, Blackberry, Bottle Green and Sandringham Blue.
Our reviewer, Holly says it does a good job at getting her dog Bob completely dry, but one reviewer online found that it didn't do such a good job as drying their dog's undercoat so that's something to keep in mind if your dog has a LOT of fur.
Reviewed by Holly Yeeles and her Labrador, Bob: “Bob loves swimming so he’s always trying to jump into rivers, lakes, and even puddles on his walks (basically anything he can splash his paws in!). As he’s a little water baby, we bought this Ruff and Tumble drying coat to help dry him off and, most importantly, keep him warm while he’s wet. This coat gets Bob dry in no time at all, so we don’t need to worry about him getting cold. We chose the colour ‘Brick Red’ as he absolutely slays in red."
Pros
- Made from a soft cotton
- Available in a variety of sizes and colours
Cons
- One customer reviewer felt it was good at drying top coats but not so much undercoats so may not be ideal for dogs with a LOT of fur
| Sizes: | XXXS, XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, GSD, DS, DM |
| Colours: | Blackberry, Bottle Green, Brick Red, Forest, Heather, Rosehip Red, Sandringham Blue |
Best for size range
Credit: Rosie Floyd/Take a Break Petswww.notonthehighstreet.com
With an impressive size range of XS all the way up to a 4XL, the Pastel Pooch Boutique caters for those little and large dogs, plus those in between, with their Personalised Luxury Dog Drying Coats. Whether you're needing to dry your pooch off after a rainy dog walk, a swim in the sea or a splash in the tub, these coats are designed to get them bone dry in as little as 30 minutes as they're made from a quick-dry and ultra-absorbent material. The fit of these coats can also be adjusted to suit your pooch too as it has Velcro around the middle as well as around the neck so you can pop the 'collar' up to get those ears nice and dry, plus leg holes at the back so it's nice and secure.
When our Senior Writer, Rosie Floyd, tested these dogs with her three dogs, Gina, Barney & Bella, she was surprised at just how quickly they dried her pooches but did find that the popper fastenings that secure the leg straps were a little fiddly to do up when you've got impatient dogs that want to be on the move.
Reviewed by Rosie Floyd and dogs, Gina, Barney & Bella: "First things first, I'm so impressed by the size range of these coats. With Barney being a VERY large Labrador X Golden Retriever, I've never been able to get any kind of dog clothing item to fit him but his Pastel Pooch Boutique coat is a fantastic fit. I'm able to do it up snug enough to get him dry after he's been running under the hosepipe while I've been watering the plants but it doesn't feel too tight that it's restricting him.
"For the other two that are actually able to fit in the tub, these coats have become a lifesaver when trying to get them dry after a bath. Bella in particular loves to shake and run around the house after a bath so to be able to pop the coat straight over her head so she's at least getting dry (and not soaking the house in the process) has been super helpful. Gina hates the whole process of being bathed and dried so she's appreciated being able to get straight in the coat and being left alone to dry (and sulk about the fact she's been bathed in the process!) without me having to spend time physically drying her and her hating every minute of it. I also love that you can personalise the coats with their name so you know exactly whose coat you've picked up from the get-go."
Pros
- Impressive size range, up to a 4XL
- Made from an ultra-absorbent, quick-drying material to get your pooch dry in as little as 30 minutes
Cons
- Although the leg straps are great for making the fit of the coat more secure, we found the popper fastenings on them to be quite fiddly to do up
| Sizes: | XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL, Mini Dachshund |
| Colours: | Bubble Gum Pink, Latte, Candy Floss Blue, Sage Green |
Best for outdoor adventures
Regattawww.regatta.com
Warming and quick-drying - the Regatta Dog Drying Coat will keep your pooch warm and fresh on their walks. Made from hardwearing polyester, the dog coat provides long-lasting warmth. It's quick-drying too and moves moisture to the surface to keep your four-legged friend feeling fresh. An adjustable hook and loop strap on the dog coat provides a secure fit.
With an average star rating of 4.5 out of 5, customers love the quality and fit of this drying coat, saying it feels well made and stays on really well. Many reviewers have also said the coat is generously sized so just keep that in mind when you're ordering.
Pros
- Will help to keep your pooch warm as well as dry
- Adjustable hook and loop strap to help provide a tailored, secure fit
Cons
- Many reviewers have said the coat is generously sized so keep that in mind when you're choosing the size for your pooch
| Sizes: | S, M, L, XL |
| Colours: | Claret, Ebony |
Best personalised dog drying coat
Harbour Hounds/Etsywww.etsy.com
Harbour Hounds' super snuggly beach Dog Drying Robe is nautically styled and a must for any water-loving pooch. This practical, stylish drying robe, is made from the softest 100 per cent cotton that quickly wicks away moisture, trapping air and body heat. Super snuggly, this beach dog drying coat has a turtleneck design to keep the neck dry and warm and can be pulled up as a hood. We love that this coat can also be personalised, so your furry friend can dry in style.
With quick stud fastening, rather than Velcro or plastic clips, and no awkward leg straps it's super easy to put on and take off. Customers appreciate how well this coat fits, with one saying that it doesn't slip off. There are some reviews that mention Harbour Hounds Dog Drying Robes have a thicker material around the neck compared to others that reviewers have tried, which some dogs may not like as it'll offer a slightly snugger fit around this area.
Pros
- Made from 100 per cotton so it's nice and soft against your pup's skin/fur
- Designed to wick away moisture while trapping air and body heat inside to keep your pooch warm and dry
Cons
- Material around the neck is thicker compared to others which some dogs may not like
| Sizes: | XXXS, XXS, M/L, XL |
| Colours: | Navy |
Best luxury drying coat
ruff and tumbleruffandtumbledogcoats.com
Another option from Ruff and Tumble, the Ruff and Tumble Design Collection Drying Coat is similar to the classic, but with a fashionable striped twist. This coat is perfect for the dog owner who likes their dog to look stylish, even when damp. It's easy to put on, according to reviewers, and leaves your dog warm and dry in record time. It comes in sizes XS-XL and in the colours/prints, harbour and beach, which is paw-fect for pooches who like to spend their time swimming in the water at the seaside.
Soft and comfortable are words that commonly crop up in reviews online for this Ruff and Tumble drying coat. They also mention how great quality the material is and that the fit is fantastic, too. At an extra cost, the coat can also be personalised but keep in mind that if you do choose to add your pup's name and it doesn't fit how it should, you won't be able to return it.
Pros
- Soft and comfortable say customers online
- Easy to put on, according to reviewers
Cons
- If you personalise the coat, it cannot be exchanged or refunded
| Sizes: | XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL |
| Colours: | Harbour (blue print), Beach (yellow print) |
Best for large dogs
Geycete/AmazonMade from microfibre, the Geycete Dog Drying Coat is fast-drying and absorbent. Its 'magic tape design' will save you time putting it on and taking it off as it has Velcro straps around the tummy and neck for ease. It comes in sizes XS-XXXL, which is great for those of you with bigger dogs. The variety is also quite vast, with it coming in six colours and three different designs of ones with hoods, those without and those with different style materials. There's one for every dog.
This coat comes highly recommended by customers on Amazon, with over 3,200 reviews. Customers rave about how it keeps their dogs warm while also drying them quickly, stating the coat is effective at its job and has great absorbency. The fact this coat can be machine washed and tumbled dried gets a huge thumbs up from us but some reviewers have mentioned the colour can run when washed so we'd recommend washing it on its own.
Pros
- Easy to put on and off with its 'magic tape design' of Velcro around the tummy and neck
- Customers say it has great absorbency and does a good job at keep their dog dry and warm
Cons
- Colour might run when washed so it's best to wash it on its own
| Sizes: | XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL |
| Colours: | Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Purple, Red |
Best value
UOMIO/AmazonThis soft and absorbent UOMIO Dog Drying Coat is perfect for when man's best friend doesn't want to be rubbed down by a towel. Your dog can get themselves dry as they walk around as the coat isn't restrictive. With an adjustable collar and waist, it will be easy to put on no matter what breed you have. It's also machine washable so you can easily get it looking and feeling fresh again after particularly wet and muddy walks.
Reviewers online say this coat is made from a thick, quality fabric that is very absorbent. A couple of customers found that the colour of these coats did transfer when really wet so if your dog has white or light-coloured fur, you may want to consider another option. Other than that, customers are generally very happy with this product and mention it's a great buy as it gets their dogs nicely dry while offering fantastic value for money.
Pros
- Isn't restrictive so your dog can get themselves dry as they walk around
- Adjustable collar and waist to help you get the right fit for your pooch
Cons
- A couple of reviewers found that the colour transferred when really wet so may not be ideal for white or other lighter coloured dogs
| Sizes: | S, Large, XL |
| Colours: | Red, Blue, Grey, Purple |
How we chose the best dog drying coats
All of these drying coats for dogs have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered fit, material quality and absorbency in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching dog drying coats to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.
Dog drying coats FAQs
What should you look for when choosing a dog drying coat?
There are a couple of things you'll want to consider when choosing the best dog drying coat that meets your needs and most importantly, your dogs.
Size and fit
The best dog drying coats should be snug yet comfortable, so you’ll want to make sure you choose a coat that fits your dog correctly. After all, dogs come in all shapes and sizes so one dog coat may fit one breed but may be too big or too small for another.
You’ll want to make sure the coat covers your dog’s entire body, including their chest and legs. You may also be able to get a drying coat that has a hood to make sure your dog’s head and ears can benefit from quick drying.
Material
To ensure moisture can wick away from your dog’s fur quickly and effectively, it’s important that you pick a dog drying coat that is made from high-quality, absorbent materials such as microfibre, cotton or other towelling materials.
Ease of use
When you’ve got a soggy doggy on your hands, you need to act fast, or you’ll end up soaked, too. That’s why you’ll want to consider how easy it is to put on your dog, as well as how simple the fastening mechanisms are to do up.
The best dog drying coats have adjustable fastenings, such as Velcro straps or buckles, that you can quickly put together when needed. They’re also secure to make sure they stay in place on your pup without restricting their movements, of course.
Maintenance
Another factor you’ll want to think about is how easy it is to clean and maintain the coat. Just like a towel or dog bed, they will need washing from time to time to make sure they stay fresh and clean. For that reason, we’d suggest looking for coats that are machine washable.
Design and style
Last but by no means least is design and style. Dog drying coats can actually be a bit of a fashion statement as they come in a variety of colours and patterns. You may want to choose one in your favourite colour, opt for one that matches your dog’s collar, or you could pick a pattern that best suits your dog’s personality. The choice is all yours!
Are dog drying coats any good?
Many dog owners find that dog drying coats are essential for their pooch after a long wet walk or when they need help drying off quickly after they’ve been scrubbed clean with dog shampoo in the bath. The best dog drying coats will rapidly absorb moisture from your dog’s fur post-bath or rainy walk to get them dry in no time.
As well as offering quicker drying, they’ll keep the water contained when your pooch inevitably goes to try and shake themselves dry. Drying coats reduce the risk of your hound catching a chill as they’re usually made from high-quality materials that will keep your dog warm and comfortable while they’re getting dry.
They’re also a less stressful alternative for getting your dog dry compared to using a hair dryer as there are no loud sounds or hot air blasting out to unsettle them, making dog drying coats a more gentle way to get the wet out of your pooch’s fur.
How do you get your dog used to wearing a dog drying coat?
If your dog isn't used to wearing clothes, it may take some time to get them used to their dog drying coat. The most important thing is that you don't rush them to get used to it and don't force them to wear it if they really don't like it.
You should start by letting your dog inspect their new drying coat without putting it on, giving them the chance to sniff it and investigate it in their own time to become more familiar with it. Every time they interact with the coat, make sure you offer lots of praise, fuss and treats (especially if your pooch is food-motivated) so your pooch associates the drying coat with positive experiences.
The first time your pooch wearing their drying coat, you'll want to keep it short but sweet, and while they're dry, too. Start with just a few minutes and gradually increase the duration until your dog seems confident and comfortable wearing it. Your hound should then be more than happy to wear it while they're wet.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.