I know a lot of people ask about the dryer boxes/cabinets to dry their cats or their clients’ cats. Here are my thoughts on 6 months of use of my Drybo Plus by Homerunpet. We groom about 10 cats a day and use it maybe once every few days, if that, is due to those being frightened of noise or reactive to drying particular areas. I also have feedback on the Kiss Grooming Dryer Cabinet from another groomer that has been purchased online and used for at least 6 months.
What are they?
A drying box is a fanned cabinet that has at least one viewing side and may have extra openings where you can comfort or comb the cat while drying.
There is usually at least one fan and options of heat, temperature, lighting, a timer and wind speed. Some have the option of infrared light.
What do I need to look for when buying?
Size: What size of cats do you groom?
Fan speed: Some have a higher speed option than others.
Timer: It must have a timer for safety reasons.
Heat: Does it have a thermostat that prevents it from overheating? If not, do not purchase.
Wattage/Power: Be aware of wattage/voltage. (The higher the watt, the higher the strength/speed, and the higher the electrical needs in your home/salon).
Sound: Can differ from 30-70Db (a standard pet dryer averages 90Db.)
Where you purchase: If the product’s voltage is incompatible with your country’s, you may need to adapt it with a transformer.
Warranty: Ensure it comes with a warranty, and you can take the product for service or repair in your country. This is why I prefer to buy a dryer from a reputable buyer and a known brand. If you purchase a no-name dryer from Temu, for instance, and it does not work, it will be a hassle if it arrives broken or stops operating within a certain time.
Postage: The product can be damaged when shipped/posted. Insure and register the product with the postal company.
Different features
The Drybo Plus, my personal opinion:
(This post is not sponsored by either company)
What are the positives?
- Quiet
- Low stress for drying scared cats, kittens or senior cats.
- There are options for fan speed, temperature, and multiple modes.
- The display and temperature buttons lock, so they cannot be adjusted.
- The cabinet can be opened easily outside if the cat is stressed.
- You can see the cat and keep an eye on stress signs and drying.
- The Drybo Plus can fit up to 7.5kg cats. Any larger cat will have issues with comfort and airflow.
- Petting doors: I can comb or pet the cat through the one-way side doors.
- They are easy to clean. The bottom of the Drybo Plus clicks out quickly, with any urination flowing into this small chamber.
- Excellent for cat owners and cat shows people if used safely.
- Save time when grooming multiple cats (one can part dry while washing the next).
- You can dry a cat’s head or belly safely if this is their sensitive area.
- Small, compact and ‘lighter’ than others.
What are the negatives?
- It can take a long time to dry a cat, approx. 45mins to 1.5 hour plus, with no other drying except by towel (longer than a hv dryer). Feet will still require drying in most cases. (Coat and size dependent, also depends on what you believe is dry and your expected result. I personally have never left a cat for longer than an hour, with breaks.)
- It does not separate the hair for you.
- They can cost more than average dryers.
- Larger cats would not be comfortable in the Drybo Plus size.
The Kiss Grooming Drying Cabinet 907TN 1200W (with thanks to Judith of Pampered Pussycats Australia for the information and photos)
The Positives:
- The drying cabinet can fit multiple cats and larger-sized cats such as Maine Coons of 8kg+, even up to two cats or with an air muzzle.
- 9 fans.
- Can dry a cat in an average of 45 to 60 minutes plus (coat and size-dependent, also what you believe as the dry and expected result.)
- Easy to clean, has a pull-out tray, and the filters are easy to clean.
- The heat thermostat is very accurate and has a cut-off safety feature.
- Infrared treatment
- Negative ion technology.
- There are openings for pets or combing cats.
- Does not require a transformer.
- It can be serviced/repaired by the supplier.
- There is a drip tray, so easy to clean.
Negatives:
- Like other drying boxes/cabinets, the feet will still be damp, and the dryer will not separate the coat for you.
- It is a little larger than the drybo (so more space is required in your salon/home.)
- It’s more expensive than the cheaper cabinets (but you get what you pay for!)
Thinking of purchasing a drying box/cabinet?
What do I need to be careful of?
- I do not recommend using a temperature of over 31degrees Celsius to prevent heatstroke.
- If the cat starts hitting the door and trying to get out excessively it is best to remove the cat.
- Use a happy hoodie to prevent stress.
- Be aware of heatstroke, hypothermia and stress signs (panting, salivating, loss of consciousness, normal mucous membrane colours etc.)
What do I need to look for when buying one
- Size- what size of cats do you groom?
- Fan speed- some have a higher speed option than others.
- Timer- it must have a timer for safety reasons.
- Heat- Does it have a thermostat that prevents it from overheating? If not, do not purchase.
- Wattage- be aware of wattage/voltage. (Higher watt the higher strength/speed, also higher electrical needs in your home/salon).
- Sound- Can differ from 30-70Db (a normal pet dryer averages 90Db.)
- Where you purchase- If not compatible for your country’s voltage, you may need to adapt the product with a transformer.
- Warranty- Make sure it comes with a warranty and you are able to take the product for service or repair in your country. This is why I prefer to buy a dryer that is from a reputable buyer and a known brand. If you buy a no-name from Temu for instance and it does not work, it will be a lot of hassle on your part if it was to arrive broken or stop operating within a certain time.
- Postage- It can be damaged when it is shipped/posted. Insure and register the product with the postal company.
Different features
There are many companies that sell dryer cabinets. Not all are the same.
There are higher options that are a lot more expensive than others, but have extra features that can benefit the cat and save you time.
- Speed- Can differ from 1600-2800W
- Size- Larger sizes can accustom a larger cat, multiple cats, or small/medium dogs.
- Negative ion therapy – This is presumed to smoothen and moisturise the coat and purify the air in the cabinet.
- Infrared treatment- Stimulates body circulation, helps raise cell tissue vitality and improve partial tissue nutrition.
Oz grooming world options- KissGrooming Mini Pet Drying Cabinet TD909R for Cat – Round 1650W-2650W
Oz Grooming World Option- Kiss Grooming Pet Drying Cabinet 907TW Large (51-69Db) 1650-2650W
SHERNBAO Pet Drying Cabinet / Compartment Dryer TD909 (ozgroomingworld.com.au) 4500W
In conclusion, I am happy I brought the Drybo plus, as I now have other options for stressed cats. It is still rare that I cannot finish as cat, as I keep an eye on stress signs, but now can groom those kitties with fear of noises or dryer aggression.
It has also saved me time when grooming multiple cats from one owner. If used safely it is a large positive. You just personally need to weigh up the cost vs efficiency. Just remember there is no substitute for proper hand drying and grooming training, this is another non-essential grooming tool.
-Lexie the Groomer
Who am I?
I’m Lexie Goldsmith,
My slow introduction and low stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.
I am contacted regularly by people all over the world wanting to learn cat grooming from me, and this makes me excited to see students now grooming cats with my videos, instructions and support.
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, Pet Stylist and Master Cat Groomer, available for your cat grooming education needs.
Come join me on your cat grooming journey, I promise you will not be disappointed, I have a 30day money back guarantee for all courses.
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