Pretty in Pink - Should You Dye Your Pet's Fur?

It's not unusual to dye your shoes to match your purse but what if you wanted to dye your pet's fur to match your favorite coat? Not only can groomers do this for you but it has become quite a trend in many parts of the country.

You may want to dye your dog's fur to match your outfit or dye your cat's fur to match your home's décor. Some people think it's fun to celebrate holidays, like St. Patrick's Day, by dyeing their pet's fur green. The reasons are as varied as the colors that are available. Your white cat can turn orange, pink red, green, purple or blue or can have a pink tail, purple paws and a green stripe down its back. Your poodle can sport a patchwork quilt of colors all over its body. You can have only the tips of your pet's fur dyed or the entire body. Owners find it's a fun way to express their pet's personality and also show off their pet at the same time.

Is it Safe?

Many animal activist groups are against dyeing pets' fur on the basis that it can be harmful to the animal. Animals with sensitive skin could develop a rash from the dye or some dyes could make some animals sick from ingesting it while cleaning themselves. There are, however, safe products made especially for dyeing animal fur that claim to be toxic free and safe. When applied by a trained groomer, dyeing your pet's fur can be as safe as having your hairstylist dye your own hair.

Some things to consider before having your pet's fur dyed is the age of your pet, its health, the color of your pet's fur and if your pet has ever been allergic to any substances in the past. No pet under the age of 12 weeks should be dyed. A patch test should be done on your pet to make sure it isn't allergic to the dye before you continue to have the rest of the fur colored. And never have your pet's fur around the eyes, nose or mouth dyed as it may be dangerous to your pet.

The original color of your pet will determine how well the dye will work. Dyes usually work best on white or light-colored fur. Many pet owners prefer dyeing only the ears, feet or tail of their pet or tipping the fur with a color. Most dyes are semi-permanent and wash out over a period of time.

Natural Dyes that are Safe to Use

You can dye your pet's fur on your own if you use a safe product. Natural dyes made from ground vegetables or vegetable juice can be safe for your pet as long as you keep it away from their eyes. Beet juice mixed with water can turn your pet's fur pink, carrot juice can turn it orange and blueberries can make it a soft, blue color. Always do a patch test first to make sure your pet is not allergic to the dye no matter how natural it is.

For a dye that will wash out easily you can use food coloring in water or Kool-Aid. You can either bathe the animal in these or brush it on. As with any dye, do not let either of these get into your pet's eyes.

Dyeing your pet's fur can be trendy and fun as long as you do it in a safe way. Check with your veterinarian first and if he gives the okay you may soon find you are the only person in your neighborhood with a pink cat.