Purple poodles often dominate dog shows. Most of the time, these poodles are not naturally purple. Some people like to dye their dogs for dog shows or for upcoming holidays. Dye your dog red and give him a Santa hat for the Christmas holiday or give your pooch black stripes to be a tiger for Halloween.
However you creatively decide to dress your pet up with dye, it is important to do it safely and only for the dog’s benefit.
Food coloring is the safest dye for your pet’s fur. The dog could easily lick or ingest part of his fur; therefore, food coloring is ideal. Kool- Aid and other sugary dyes also work to dye the fur.
Before you begin to dye your pet’s fur, be sure to brush out their coat to remove any tangles or mats. Shampoo your pet’s fur to remove any dirt. Test the dye by applying it to a small patch before you proceed.
Mix the food coloring with water at room temperature. This will dilute the color and be more enjoyable for the pet. If your dog is small enough to fit in a bathtub, fill the bath with the colored water. If your dog is too large for the bathtub, put the colored water into a squirt bottle to saturate him. If using a squirt bottle, be sure to fully wet all surfaces.
Once your pet is entirely saturated with the colored water, use a dog comb to brush the colored water throughout the fur. Be careful around the dog’s face and sensitive area as he may react to the dye.
After you have dyed the dog completely, make sure he stays on old towels or newspaper. The dye will drip off his fur while it dries. Therefore, do not let your pet run wild throughout your house or else you will have a new colored kitchen floor or carpet. As soon as the dye dries, shampoo your pet again so the dye does not get too dark. After you shampoo your pet, you will have a dog with a new do.
If you do not want to dye your pet a food coloring color, purchase a fur dye that is made specially for dogs. Always check the label to make sure all ingredients are not harmful to the pet. When using specific pet dyes, be sure to follow the directions on the package specifically.
Do not use hair dyes that are made for humans. Many of these dyes contain toxins and chemicals that could kill your pet if he ingests them.
Leave a Reply