Drying coat or a towel?
Updated 16 September 2026
A towel dries a dog while you hold it. A drying coat carries on once the dog has walked off. Which one suits you comes down to how your dog likes being dried.
A dog drying coat and a dog towel are both microfibre, and both lift water out of a coat far faster than the bath towel in the airing cupboard. The difference is what happens after the first minute.
A towel needs your hands on it, which is how you reach paws, ears and bellies. A coat is fastened on and left, so the dog does the drying by lying down somewhere warm.
Side by side
Drying coat
A wearable microfibre coat, fastened at the chest and belly, left on after a walk.
Suits
- Dogs happier moving about while they dry
- Thick and double coats that hold water
- Car journeys home after a wet walk
Ones we like
SoggyDoggy
Microfibre Dog Drying Coat
A wearable microfibre drying coat that keeps drying while the dog wanders off.
Set the belly strap snug before the drawstrings, and the coat stays put while the dog moves about.
Nobleza
Dog Bathrobe Drying Coat
A two layer drying coat for dogs, with fastenings that stay clear of the fur.
Measure back length, neck and chest before choosing from the five sizes.
Elite Paws
Microfibre Dog Drying Robe
A heavier microfibre drying robe with a hood and belly strap, made for thick coats.
Check the size chart against your dog's back length before ordering, and the robe will sit right from the first wear.
HezzLuv
Microfibre Dog Drying Coat
A light microfibre drying coat that fastens with drawstrings at the neck and back.
Wash it cold and let it air dry, which is how the maker says to keep the microfibre at its best.
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Towel
A large microfibre towel, used the way you would use any towel, then wrung out and washed.
Suits
- Dogs that stand still to be dried
- Drying paws, ears and bellies
- Keeping one in the boot and one indoors
Ones we like
Lucky Paws
Extra Large Microfibre Dog Towel, 140x70cm
A thick 400gsm microfibre dog towel, 140 by 70 centimetres, with a loop to hang it.
Wash it warm without fabric conditioner, so the fibres stay bare and keep drinking up water.
Elite Paws
Ultra-Absorbent Dog Towel, 140x70cm
A large microfibre dog towel, 140 by 70 centimetres, thick enough to wrap a soaked labrador.
Big enough to sit a dog on while you dry the legs, so the hallway floor stays dry.
PETTOM
Microfibre Towels with Hand Pockets, 90x50cm, two pack
Two pocketed microfibre dog towels you slide your hands into for drying a small or medium dog.
For a labrador or anything bigger, the same towels come at 130 by 75.
PAWPUP
Microfibre Dog Towels, 100x60cm, two pack
Two mid-sized microfibre dog towels, so one stays dry while the other is in use.
Keep one in the boot and one by the back door, so a dry towel is always within reach.
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Common questions
Can a dog wear a drying coat unsupervised?
Stay nearby, especially the first few times, so you can see how your dog settles in it. Most dogs relax quickly once the coat is on, and a quick check of the straps keeps everything sitting where it should.
How do I wash a microfibre dog towel?
Warm wash and no fabric conditioner. Conditioner coats the fibres, so leaving it out keeps the microfibre drinking up water at full strength. An overnight air dry has most towels ready for the next walk.
Should I dry my dog's ears with a towel?
Yes, and a corner of the towel is the tool for it. Floppy ears hold damp longest, so a gentle wipe inside the flap and round the base finishes the drying nicely.