The worst part of washing a dog is not the bath. It is the twenty minutes afterwards, when a wet animal shakes in the hallway, rolls on the sofa and rubs itself dry along the skirting boards. Wrapping the dog in absorbent towelling straight out of the water takes the majority of that water off the coat while it is still standing in the bathroom, which is where you wanted it to happen.

The robe fastens with poppers rather than being held in place by hand, so it stays put while your dog walks around, and the towelling keeps drawing moisture out of the coat the whole time. That is a gentler and far less stressful process than a hairdryer, which many dogs hate and which can be too hot against skin. It also suppresses the shake reflex to a useful degree, and a dog that does not shake indoors is a dog that has not redecorated your hall.

• Absorbent towelling that wicks water out of the coat
• Popper fastenings so it stays on while your pet moves
• Five sizes from XS to XL
• Four patterns including grey, brown and red stripes and a tiramisu print
• Machine washable and quick to fold away
• A calmer alternative to a hairdryer for anxious dogs

On sizing: back length from collar to tail base is what decides the fit, not your pet's weight, and a robe that is too long will trail and trip. A thick double coat will still need towelling and time after the robe comes off, because no robe reaches the undercoat on its own. Cats often accept these far less readily than dogs do.

What the options mean. Sizes run from XS to XL — £7.99 for the smallest, £11.99 for the largest.

Who it's for: owners of thick-coated dogs, swimmers and muddy walkers, and anyone with a puppy who is frightened of the hairdryer and does not need to be.