How to Straighten Dog Hair? Make Your Pooch Look Slick!

Have you ever wondered how to straighten dog hair just like professional groomers straighten the coat of a naturally curly breed? You can too achieve a straight, soft-looking million-dollar coat, without spending a million bucks! 

If you have a Poodle, Bichon Frise, or any other breed, straightening out its coat makes your pooch look and feel more fluffy. 

Contrary to what you may have read or heard, achieving a stylish straight look even on a naturally curly breed doesn’t require an expensive trip to the groomers, but can be done with a few grooming tools in the comfort of your home. 

Can I Use a Flat Iron on My Dog’s Hair? 

You can use a flat iron to straighten your dog’s hair as long as you do it with the right tools and at the right settings because you risk burning the hair and/or leaving a huge bald spot. 

But you can’t use any straightening chemicals on your dog’s hair, because they are formulated for human hair, and can burn and/or irritate your dog’s skin. 

Flat ironing your dog’s hair seals the coat, decreases matting between baths and keeps the ends in tip-top shape. This is perhaps why most people flat iron dog hair regularly before dog shows. 

If you’re going to use a flat iron to straighten your dog’s hair, buy one with ceramic plates, and set it to a low heat setting.

Ceramic flat irons are quickly becoming a popular choice for dog hair straightening for several reasons. Not only are they less expensive than other types of flat irons, but offer smooth straightening, and a glossy finish. 

They are fitted with plates that are crafted from non-metallic, inorganic material, and ensure that even heat is distributed across the plates. 

This even heat distribution means that you don’t need to set a high temperature when straightening, making ceramic flat irons a better option for your dog hair’s health and condition. 

Adding to this, ceramic plates also help retain your dog’s hair moisture and prevent leaving its hair too dried out and/or dehydrated after use. 

Ceramic dog hair straighteners are a much better option than titanium flat irons because the latter can reach high temperatures in a quick timeframe, which can damage your dog’s fine or fragile hair. 

When choosing a ceramic dog hair straightener, make sure the plates are infused with tourmaline—a crystal that’s ground into a fine powder. 

Ceramic tourmaline hair straighteners are more efficient, and more kind on your dog’s hair and help prevent damage, overheating, and static on the hair

Conair Pro Hair Straightener

9.7/10

• Heats up to 455 degrees
• 60-minute auto-shutoff
• Tourmaline plates 
• Temperature control buttons
• 1 1/2 inch plates 

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SamVilla Hair Straightener

9/10

• Ergonomic handle 
• Heats up fast 
• Rounded edges 
• LED indicator 
• 3 heat settings 

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NuMe Hair Straightener

9.8/10

• 1.75” revolutionary floating plate system
• Infrared heat and negative ion conditioning technology
• Heat settings of up to 450˚F/auto shut off
• Digital temperature display
• Tourmaline Ceramic Plates

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But regardless of the type of dog hair straightener you use, heat styling in any form will accrue some damage over time. 

So, I recommend that you use a flat iron occasionally to straighten your dog’s hair, because doing so regularly may cause irreversible damage to your dog’s coat! 

How to Straighten dog hair?

A flat iron is possibly the quickest and easiest way to straighten your dog’s hair, but on the downside can cause irreparable damage to its coat. That said, here’s how to straighten your dog’s hair without using a flat iron. 

Step 1 

Just like you wash your hair before straightening, use a suitable shampoo to wash your dog’s hair thoroughly. 

Read Related Article – Best Dog Shampoos

Along with shampoo, it’s a good idea to use a dog hair conditioner, as it will help detangle your dog’s hair, and make it easier to brush. 

Burt's Bees Oatmeal Conditioner

Key Features: 

• Moisturizes, soothes, softens, and conditions
• pH balanced mild tearless shampoo
• Veterinarian recommended formula
• All-natural ingredients including colloidal oatmeal, and honey
• Free of fragrances, sulfates, colorants, and harsh chemicals

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Step 2 

After you rinse the shampoo and conditioner out of your dog’s hair, dry him enough with a super absorbent towel, so that he is damp to the touch, and not dripping. 

PAWPUP Dog Towel

Key Features:

• 2 soft microfiber dog towels
• 60cm wide and 100cm long
• Made with 80% polyester and 20% polyamide
• 2 pockets for easy grip
• Can be conveniently washed in machine

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Step 3 

This step is a bit tricky because you will have to use a blow dryer and a pin brush at the same time. You can use a cordless dog dryer to make this step easier. 

DUZ Handsfree Dog Dryer

Key Features:

• Super quiet operation 
• Lightweight, yet powerful
• Easy to use touch buttons control
• 4 heat options/3 fan speeds
• 1-year manufacturer warranty

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With the blow dryer set at the lowest setting, brush out your dog’s hair with a pin brush. A dog pin brush is an effective way to remove mats and tangles and straighten your dog’s hair. 

Mars Dog Pin Brush

9.8/10

• Birchwood handle and stainless steel pins
• Measures 9" in Length
• German quality & engineering
• Soft rubber pad 
• 1-inch stainless steel pin

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BioSilk Dog Pin Brush

9.6/10

• Crafted from plant-based materials
• Spiral flex technology
• Wide handle grip
• Detangles your dog's coat 
• Works best with BioSilk grooming products 

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ClumsyPets Dog Pin Brush

9.1/10

• Stainless steel pins with rounded, polished tips
• Glides through your dog's coat easily
• Unique long teeth
• Ergonomic handle
• Soft handle 

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Step 4 

Your dog’s hair should be straight and soft after it is dried and brushed. This straight dog hair look should last roughly a week, and you can extend this time by brushing your dog’s hair daily with the pin brush.

Related Questions 

1. Can I Use Gel to Straighten Dog Hair? 

Your dog’s coat attracts dirt and grime without the added help of a sticky substance like hair gel. Plus, human hair get contains alcohol, which can dry out your dog’s skin, so you shouldn’t use gel to straighten your dog’s hair. 

2. Does Keratin Straighten Dog’s Hair?  

Keratin will soften your dog’s hair, and restore its shine, clean and hydrate, and remove dirt and debris, but you will have to straighten your dog’s hair with a pin brush and blow dryer after using the shampoo. 

CHI for Dogs Keratin Shampoo

Key Features:

• Leaves behind a silky, smooth coat 
• pH balanced for optimal care 
• Suitable for all dogs and puppies
• Penetrates the coat's cuticle, strengthening the follicles
• Gentle yet effective formula

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3. Can I Dye My Dog’s Hair? 

There are many dog-safe hair dyes available, but take note that this will create an unnatural look, so don’t dye your dog’s hair for vanity purposes such as to achieve a younger look.