Cavapoos are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They’re known for being friendly, intelligent, and low-maintenance dogs. But like all breeds of dog, they need to be groomed properly.
Drying a Cavapoo is relatively uncomplicated: However, you should always use a dog blow drier and be sure not to use a human one, as this can burn or harm your Cavapoo. One of the most important aspects of Cavapoo grooming is drying them after a bath.
Cavapoos are a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. They are small dogs that usually only grow to be 10-16 lbs, making them wonderful for those who want a smaller dog to travel with or keep in their apartment.
Drying a Cavapoo can be a daunting task, but with these simple steps you’ll be able to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Why is drying a Cavapoo important?
Drying is the process of removing moisture from fur. If you were to not dry your Cavapoo, you would leave them at risk for encountering problems, such as skin irritation or matting.
The Cavapoo breed is known to have a medium length dog’s coat that is very soft and fluffy. Most Cavapoos shed little or almost none at all. They are known to be hypoallergenic. So it is important to carefully bath and dry them correctly.
Things you need to know about drying your Cavapoo
Everyone knows dogs love playing in mud. I know dogs who will run around the garden, dragging their bottoms on the ground to make as much mess as possible before coming back inside and rolling on the floor to cover themselves with dirt and leaves.
But it’s a common misconception that dogs like getting dirty and it’s also a misconception that dogs don’t mind getting wet and smelly, as this is often a byproduct of being outside in the open air. The truth is that dogs don’t like getting dirty, they just can’t help themselves sometimes.
Dogs groom themselves because it’s a natural instinct to keep themselves clean, but unlike cats – who lick their fur – dogs will shake off excess water and try to wipe away dirt and mud to keep themselves clean.
Although, this is not always enough for a Cavapoo – especially if they’ve been rolling in the garden or playing with other dogs at the park. Dogs like to be dry and if it’s possible then why not, right?
For those of you who own a Cavapoo, you may have noticed that they don’t like to get wet. As I said, It’s a common misconception that dogs don’t mind getting dirty but this is not always the case with Cavapoos because of their tiny nose which means they can’t breath properly if their nose is covered in mud or dirt (just like fluffies).
In fact is it is raining, our Cavapoo, Rosie, flat out refuses to go out for a walk!
How do I dry my Cavapoo?
If you have a dog or a Cavapoo puppy whose curly coat is notorious for getting muddy then check out our top tips to bathing and drying your Cavapoo.
1) Place your dog in a bath on a non slip mat. Fill a large bowl with warm water (heat water to medium temperature) and pour in some dog shampoo. Use a mild dog shampoo, as this will be less likely to irritate your pup’s skin if it gets in their eyes or on their face during the drying process. For information on the best hypoallergenic shampoos for doodle breeds, check out our review guide.
2) Wet the entire body of your Cavapoo with warm water from a tap, garden hose or a bucket. You can also use a spray bottle filled with water for the sensitive areas on their face.
3) Dip a large, absorbent towel in the water and dog shampoo mixture. Ring out the excess water but leave your puppy damp. If your Cavapoo has long hair, you can put up their fur in a ponytail before wetting them to make this step easier, taking care not to get any shampoo in their eyes. Make sure that you minimize the amount of time they are in contact with soapy water. You can wipe down your dog’s face and tail this way, but skip the head and the bottom.
4) Starting with the hind legs, gently wipe your Cavapoos coat and body dry with the towel to remove excess water and dog shampoo. You will need to use a separate towel for each leg. Be gentle around sensitive areas on your pup’s face – there is no need to rub harshly or try to hurry through this process. If your puppy has spots or stains on their coat, be sure to use a stain remover meant for puppy to prevent skin irritation once they are dry.
5) Dry the face of your pooch with a soft cloth. After wetting your pup’s face during step two, gently pat some baby wipes onto the dampened areas of your puppy face to remove any excess water or shampoo.
6) Gently dry the tail and underside of your Cavapoo with a soft cloth. Take care around your pup’s anus while drying this area, since bodily secretions may have collected here during the washing process.
7) If needed, use a hair dryer to blow dry your pup. Make sure to position the hair dryer far enough away from their body that they do not become overheated.
Tips on Blow drying your Cavapoo
After the bathing process, it is important that you dry your Cavapoo thoroughly in order to prevent them getting cold or developing skin problems.
For blow drying, hairbrush your pets coat to remove any mats or tangles from within it before drying. This will reduce breakage of the dog’s coat as you dry them.
Gather a small section of hair, about 1 in. across, and hold it between your fingers. Take the blower nozzle carefully and direct it towards this patch of hair. Turn the dryer on, and air dry the dog but do not move the nozzle for at least 5 seconds to allow for air dry to flow out from beneath your dog’s fur.
Move the nozzle along your pup’s body, still with airflow directed at their skin for 5 seconds. Continue around your dog until they are completely dry.
Turn off the blower and check for any wet patches or areas that were missed. Blow dry these spots if necessary.
Once your dog is completely dry, brush them again to ensure mats are removed and apply a high quality dog conditioner. Conditioning will help keep your Cavapoos coat healthy, soft, and shiny.
Remove out any tangles that have formed in your Cavapoo’s coat, taking care to always hairbrush towards the ends of your pup’s fur so as not to break any hairs. There is a Cavapoo hair cut to suit all Cavapoo shapes and sizes.
Once your pooch is completely dry, use a clean towel to rub them down one final time. This will help to add a little extra shine and luster to their new, fresh fur coat. You can also give your pup a bath using the same steps as above before you start rubbing them down with the towel.
Give your pup a treat and lots of praise for being such a good boy or girl during this process!
Tips on Grooming your Cavapoo
Grooming your Cavapoo can be quite easy if you use the right grooming tools and grooming products.
The first step to grooming is brushing, which should be done daily. The advantage of grooming your dog daily is that you will catch any small problems before they become big ones. If your pup does not like being brushed, it doesn’t matter. Make sure you do it anyway; the grooming tools will make grooming a lot easier for both of you and it won’t take long for them to used to the process.
A grooming tool such as a mitt, glove or brushing tool is great to use on your Cavapoo. Always ensure brushing is done in the direction that the hair lies, following the pathway of the tool. It is important to use grooming tools that are suitable for your pup’s coat type. By using tools unsuitable for your Dog’s coat type or skin condition, you will increase your chances of irritating your pup’s skin and cause discomfort.
A grooming mitt comes in different shapes and sizes this hair grows and never against it. Also remember to use grooming products that will enhance your grooming experience and the look of your pup. For example, you can use a Dog’s coat conditioner or spray to make grooming easier and more manageable.
Remember to check the grooming schedule for your breed as Cavapoos have a different coat type and needs than other breeds. Check for tangles daily as they are easier to remove when small. Always remember to do grooming in the direction that the hair lies. And lastly, always hairbrush your dog’s coat before you go for a walk or exercise your pup so it does not disrupt any session with lots of loose dog’s coat around your house/apartment.
For a full guide to how to groom a Cavapoo and the different Cavapoo haircuts available, check out our informative blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to dry your dog?
Whilst we only need to worry about the hair on our heads, our four legged friends are covered in fur. Therefore it would be unfair to leave your dog soaking wet for long periods of time as this can lead to fungus growth in between their paw pads and armpits. Wet fur is also more likely to matt and although Cavaopoos are not considered high maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming, they do still need to washed and brushed regularly.
If your pets coat is really short it may be ok to let them air dry but we always recommend a blow dryer.
How do you dry a Cavapoo after a bath?
A blow dry or towel dry is a the best option after a bath. If you have a dog with a short coat, you may always let it air dry its wet fur but keep an eye to check that it is not catching a chill. We always recommend that you use towels, a hairdryer and a quick-drying spray.
Is it recommended to brush a dog when they’re wet or dry?
Brushing your dog when their coat is dry is advised. Wet hair might make mats worse and more difficult to remove. Allow your dog’s hair to dry before brushing.
How do you dry a Cavapoo in the winter?
Turn up the thermostat to heat by a degree or two after your Cavapoo puppy has taken a bath, and towel dry them thoroughly. If you can blow dry their fur, be careful to turn on the dryer on a low setting with low to medium heat and keep it moving at all times.
In order to stop our Cavapoo Rosie getting quite so wet in winter, we have invested in a coat. If you are interested in keeping your Cavapoo warm and dry this winter, then see our review guide to the best winter dog coats for Cavapoos.
What do groomers use to dry dogs?
In the pet industry, most groomers use cage dryers since they are quick and convenient. Cage dryers may be utilized to partially dry dogs while they’re bathing, prepping, cleaning, and grooming other pets if a groomer has a packed schedule.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever had a damp dog that smells, then you know how important it is to blow dry your Cavapoo puppy after they get out of the bath.
Wet dogs are more likely to catch fleas and other bugs which can make them sick or even transmit disease to humans who come in close contact with their wet coat. It’s also important for all those tiny hairs on their body because standing water will cause bacteria and fungus to grow on the outer layers of skin which could lead to infection if left untreated.
That being said, drying our Cavapoo properly takes some time and patience but it’ll be worth it when we see a healthy happy pet!