Are The New Pet Dryer Boxes Right for Your Pet?

(photo credit: Dorottya Mathe / shutterstock.com)

It looks like a toaster oven crossed with a microwave. And while I wouldn’t suggest defrosting your frozen dinner in one, it does a pretty nifty job of drying smaller pets quickly and relatively stress-free. What it is, is a drying box and they’re being touted as a great alternative to those noisy blow dryers that typically blast out a single jet of hot air. Those hand-held devices are time-consuming when it comes to targeting all those furry little nooks and crannies and can be downright uncomfortable if directed at any one area for too long.

The gadget we’re talking about here is not to be confused with dog crate dryers that clip onto your pet’s cage and direct a steady stream of warm air into the crate and around your pet. A drying box is totally sealed. Your pet goes inside and the box then fills with multiple streams of warm air that cover 360 degrees to ensure a full dry. And unlike the crate dryer, you don’t have to worry about your pet moving out of range.

What I love is how quietly they operate. Less noise equals less stress in my household. However, whenever you’re talking about heating and pets, there are concerns that pet parents need to consider before using this type of dryer.

1. Even though they have heat settings of up to 99 minutes, never leave your pet for that length of time without having them within your sightline. I think that goes without saying.
2. Always watch your pet’s reaction to being enclosed in this type of dog coat dryer. If he’s panicked, stressed, or panting, get him out. Heat stroke is real and needs immediate attention.
3. This type of device isn’t a smart pick for brachycephalic dogs or those with breathing issues. It’s an enclosed space that heats up quickly and you already know your dog cannot cool himself down efficiently.
4. Only consider drying boxes that allow you to set the temperature and have ventilation for adequate air movement. Stuffy, too warm, and uncomfortable mean your pet will never agree to go into the box again.
5. I’m prone to the options that offer side openings so you can reach in and pet your dog or cat. It’s just a little reassurance that our buddies always appreciate.

A top option when it comes to ventilation is the HomeRunPet Drybo with its patented Fresh Air System. It exchanges inside air with outside air 15 times per minute with hundreds of venting holes preventing heat build-up by continuously emitting interior air. Its ultra-quiet operation ensures a stress-free environment while bottom-up airflow tackles his belly, legs, and armpits with a gentle flow of warm air. Smart design allows you to set precise temperature controls… and I love the access panels that allow you to connect with your pet. Who wouldn’t?

Whether you live in tight quarters or simply love to pack up the pets and hit the open road, keeping them dry and comfortable after a day on the beach or a walk in the rain, is still important. And let’s face it, when space is limited, nobody wants a dank-smelling pooch cuddling up with them… however, adding a large square drying box isn’t in the cards. That’s where this foldable four-speed pet box dryer from Reaeng is the way to go. It uses 8 high-speed fans and 360-degree airflow to dry your pet from every angle possible. And with four speeds, you can tailor the output to suit your pet.

Big cat or small dog, this larger-sized pet drying box from PetKit safely and effectively dries your little guy’s wet fur without the stress of a confined space. That little extra width allows them to lie down, get comfortable, and relax while the 360-degree warm air streams take the chill out of damp fur. Eight different safety modules monitor the interior temperature of this drying box in real time and that means preventing a spike in heat that would be uncomfortable for your pet or a drop that would delay the drying process. Three-side ventilation ensures optimal air movement and Smart temperature control via an app makes adjusting heat levels, super simple.

If you’ve ever blow-dried your pet’s fur and witnessed the wild, hard-to-manage effects of static electricity, you will SO appreciate the built-in negative ion generator in this three-speed pet drying box. It releases up to 20 million, high-concentration negative ions that instantly neutralize static electricity and the resulting frizz. Best of all, this large-sized fur dryer can accommodate pets up to 44 pounds in weight. Five ventilation openings, 360-degree bottom-up air movement, and three temperature settings ranging from 95-122℉ make quick work of the drying process. I love that this unit folds flat for easy storage in a closet, laundry or mud room.

While I love the hands-free convenience of a dryer box, I’m not sure I could containerize any of my fur crew long enough to sit quietly for 30 to 40 minutes (or more). And that’s why this fast-fur drying option from ONKO has my attention. While most suggest a dry time of up to 45 minutes (while timer settings allow for up to 90 minutes), this ultra-quiet drying box confirms your small dog or cat will be ready to step out feeling dry and fluffy, within just 10 to 20 minutes. It offers four drying modes – Quick, Comfort, Winter Warm and Summer Cool as well as four levels of airflow and temperatures ranging from as low as 71°F to a high of 113°F. Of them all, it has the most powerful motor, at 1000 watts, so their claims of being uber-quick may just pan out.