New Trend for Colorful Dogs. Is It Really That Bad?

My neighborhood has a large, purple-eyed poodle who walks around with great confidence. I wonder often if she loves her lilac hair or if she prefers to keep her white fur natural. Carrie Bradshaw voices: “If the purple dog could talk, would he ask for a new hairdresser?”

While dyeing the tail of a dog has been a method to prevent theft for a long time, a variety of creative grooming techniques have gained popularity in recent years due to social media. TikTok videos of dyed dogs have caused heated debates. Many dog owners feel pressured to justify their decision.

Aboutfas asked veterinarian experts to weigh in on whether it was a safe or good idea to dye your dog.

Meet the experts:

1. Tiffany Sikalas VMD, West Hills Animal Hospital veterinarian, Huntington, New York
2. Anna Foreman (MRCVS), in-house veterinarian at Everpaw Pet Insurance. Based in Hertfordshire in the UK
3. Fiona Lee VMD, veterinarian dermatologist and director at Hackensack’s Pet Dermatology Center, New Jersey

Is it safe to dye your dog?

The big picture: All three vets I spoke with agreed that it is safe to dye your dog’s fur medically. Dr. Tiffany Sikalas (VMD, West Hills Animal Hospital) says that the process is as simple as applying product to your dog’s fur and letting it sit for between 10-20 minutes. Dr. Sikalas dyes her dog’s fur herself for performance events and has advocated for universal acceptance of dyed dogs in competitions by the American Kennel Club. She is determined to end the stigma surrounding dyed dogs, having seen it firsthand.

It’s safe to dye dogs if it’s done correctly. But it’s difficult to determine if it’s ethical. Anna Foreman (MRCVS), Everpaw Pet Insurance’s vet, said she is against the practice as it only benefits the owner.

She says that dyeing fur for pets is beneficial only in cases where the pet is being discouraged from theft. It is only for aesthetic reasons. If theft is a concern Dr. Foreman reminds that you can always have your dog microchipped rather than dye their tail.

Fiona Lee VMD, a veterinary dermatologist and director at the Pet Dermatology Center Hackensack in New Jersey, believes that it is up to medical professionals to make ethical decisions about dyeing a dog’s fur. She points out that pets are the property of their owners in this country. This means that they can decide whether to dye their fur, trim it, neuter or spay them, treat a condition, and so on. Nevertheless, there are some states that have different opinions. Although it is rarely enforced in Maine, Colorado and South Carolina, dyeing your dog is technically against the law in Florida, Maine, South Carolina and South Carolina.

There is no one answer, as there are many ethical dilemmas. Until Up creates a collar that allows dogs to communicate with humans, we must use our best judgement to ethically care our pets. This includes non-essential grooming and making them wear tiny costumes on Halloween. When engaging in these cute shenanigans, a good rule of thumb is to listen to your dog. You should not let Fido go to the bathroom every single time you attempt to bathe him. It’s not worth trying to traumatize your dog just for cosmetic reasons.

Which Dye is Safe for Your Dog?

It is important to use only safe products for your pet if you decide to dye your dog. Human hair dyes are not recommended for dogs as they have not been tested on them and can cause severe irritations or burns. It’s not only their skin that you need to consider. Dr. Lee warns of the danger that your dog may ingest human hair dye, which could be extremely toxic for any animal. There are many products that can be safely tested on dogs. These include temporary chalk, permanent dyes, glitter gels, and paint pens. Dr. Sikalas recommends Crazy Liberty and OPawz as dog-safe dyes.

While there are many products that can be used at home, Dr. Foreman suggests taking your dog to a professional who is experienced in color to do it. A lot of dog salons offer dyeing as an additional service to traditional grooming sessions. However, it is important to inquire about the products used before you make an appointment. If you still want to dye your dog in your bathroom, Dr. Foreman suggests using pet dye instead. This is safe for your dog and won’t cause any side effects if it licks itself. What dog hasn’t licked their face during this process?

It is up to you to decide whether or not to dye your dog. Everyone can voice their opinion on purple ears for poodles as long as they are safe and in the best interests of the dog.