Would You Dye Your Dog?
While looking through the news this morning I came across an article on The NY Daily News about singer Aubrey O’Day dyeing her dog.
Ginger, her one-year-old Maltese, is now sporting a blue and orange hairstyle. O’Day claims her dog likes being different colors and that she doesn’t use anything without it being vet approved.
“She likes to have looks,” O’Day, 25, tells Usmagazine.com. “It actually seems like such a taboo weird thing nowadays, but if you research online, you will see a whole underworld of dogs who are dyed.”
She says she changes her dog’s appearance “for different occasions,” revealing that she recently dyed the pup green because, O’Day says, she “loves the [Boston] Celtics.”
O’Day dyes Ginger’s hair while she’s asleep, so that way it’s “hassle-free.” Interesting, I thought the dog likes it. I suspect she dyes Ginger’s hair as a way to bring attention to herself and because she likes it.
What do you think, is it alright to dye your dog? Would you ever do it? Give me a bark.
* Photo courtesy Corrigan/Getty
I think that as long as te product you are using is safe, and approved for pets, then it is fine. As far as I know, dyeing does not cause the dog any pain or stress. I think their are much bigger fish to fry as far as animal cruelty goes, and while dyeing your pooch may not be for everyone or every dog, it’s certainly not something animal lovers should be up in arms about.
To answer your question, Would I ever dye my dog? If I had a poodle or another “dyeable” dog, then I may consider it, as long as it did not put stress on him or her.
I don’t particurlarly like this idea. It’s definitely not something I would do.
I imagine it is a poor attempt to draw attention to herself, rather than something the dog likes. Kind of a silly thing to do I think.
I’d say just leave the dog be- while they do make natural dyes so you don’t have to worry about the chemicals etc. it just seems silly. Your dog doesn’t care how he looks, I mean cmon dogs don’t even care how they smell! Just let them live the dogs life.
check out my dog blog at http://www.shespeaksbark.blogspot.com !
No I would not dye my dog. Dogs were not born to change their hair color with a wim like women and men. They were not meant to be pink, blue, green, etc. And even if a vet approves the dye and say it is ok, never know when your pup may have an adverse reaction, get sick or even die. It is just not smart to dye your pooch.
No, I would not dye my Binx any color for any reason. All he cares about is getting a good brushing and being with me and not about the color of his fur.
I would never dye my dog. Dogs aren’t a fashion accessory, they’re sentient beings that deserve respect, just as people do. Most people deserve respect, not this superficial, vain little tart ( I had another word to use besides tart but I’ll refrain from using it here).
Ever heard of St.Patrick’s Day?
My JRT goes green and my Fawn Lurcher would have his white bib and paws green – They got the attention and THEY loved it…(washes out fast…safe and funny!)
I dye my own hair (black, so im not talking about decoloration wich is worse) and the product burns your head!!!!! I do it becouse like Kaitlin says im a human so I care about how I look so that why I do that, but dogs dont!!!! They will not understand its a sacrifice for looking pretty they would just feel this burning in their bodies so I think its stupid, I better will use that time to take my dog to a nice walk at the woods that him and I will enjoy so much more that to spent a day at the beauty salon.
HECK YEA! Agadore gets dyed for the Mardi Gras Parade in Soulard in St Louis…it’s koolaid…and the process is the same as a bath. It’s harmless, Agadore doesn’t mind baths, and he loves attention…..
Well if Barkley was a poodle and he wasn’t a service dog. I would do it. I think it is cute especcily turqoise! But well with Barkley I want him to be presentable for work and being dyed out in public is not good rap for other SDs out there.
For Natcho I paint just the top of her head sometimes.
I wouldn’t do it to my dogs, no. But if it’s harmless – to each his/her own. I think it’s pointless, but so it dressing up your dog daily in different “outfits”.
What bothers me is that she says the dog LIKES it .. and that the dog likes being different colors. DUH the dog has no idea!!! How dense can you be?
I would do it if I had a dyeable dog. I love getting my hair dyed, it is so relaxing and it feels so good when they pull the dye through my hair. I’ve never, ever had hair dye burn my head or scalp.
A dog might enjoy the dying the same way I do. It’s like having a massage.
clarification on Agadore likes the attention… when he is dyed, everyone and their brother come up and pet him….that’s what he loves….
If all natural vet-approved dyes are used and it doesn’t cause the dog any harm or trauma, I can’t say I’m against it. However, I don’t like procedures done to any dogs just on the basis of looks, it’s incredibly selfish and vain. Admittedly, I do dress Daddy up in fancy collars and bows, but he also likes to show off and I do it to make people realize even though he’s a “bull” breed, he’s not aggressive or scary at all.
There is a dog on Dogster who gets his yes his fur died pink it looks absoulutelt ridiculous he’s a boy poodle and the owner is disrespecting him by dying his hair pink also even if it is approved it should only be done on special occasions like Halloween not everyday as this owner does of course all his Dogster friends are telling his owner it is fine but really how safe can any dye be on a daily basis also how can you see if your dog has any abnoralities or skin problems?
My pups are beautiful just the way they are! They don’t need to be dyed!
I personally don’t see anything wrong with it. I wouldn’tdo it because I honestly think it looks silly. But if it’s safe for their dog and their dog isn’t neglected, don’t fix what isn’t broken. =/
NO! I love my dog just the way she is.
No I would never color or dye my dogs fur. I have Yorkies and love them just the way they are. I also feel it’s not safe for them.
Yes!! I have done it a few times. my dog is a poodle and LOVES attention so dying him makes him so happy because everyone calls him cute and want to hold him or pet the Blue Doggy. I call him my “Blues Clues”. anyway I have a cousin who is a Vet and he actually does it for his dogs too. (that is how i got the idea) he recommended the non-toxic temporary kind that people use or koolaid. Obviously you still have to be careful and not get it into the eyes and nose.. duhh treat them as you would yourself.
No, I wouldn’t….unless the coat was hair (continuous growth) so you could shave it off after a parade or event.
I can’t see any other reason to dye your dog unless it is for a special event (the Krewe of Barkus Pet Parade, or St. Patty’s Parade). I guess, unless you want attention everywhere you go.
Dog’s don’t necessarily “like” being dyed…they don’t know the concept. Maybe they like to be groomed, maybe they like attention…but they don’t make a connection between dying and getting attention. Dogs aren’t into visual appearance as they are into smelling other creatures. So they don’t care as much about looking a certain way as they care about smelling a certain way. That’s why they go out and roll in poo to mask that awful smelling perfume we skirt on them.
Wouldn’t it dry out the dogs hair like it does a humans? I would imagine it very painful for the dogs when they are groomed.
Nope.
I already have highlights that the ladies would pay the bucks for. And mine are free, I’m a brindle. Check out my page on Dogsters for pics.
NOT on your cotton-pickin’ life. I think the idea is as pathetic as the people that would DO it! Dogs are not our dollies from childhood, toys, babies, substitute children or anything other than dogs. They are our companions, our helpers, our friends, our helpmates, our protectors, and many, many other things but they are NOT…creatures that deserve to be treated like some sort of “puppet” we can manipulate to bring attention to something that boost our OWN egos, and (pitiable ) sense of style and fashion, etc. They give us love, and loyalty, show us courage and devotion, beyond measure, commiserate with us when we are ill, console us when our tears flow, and drive away the terrors of lonliness with their comical antics. If the best we can do is make a mockery of their God-given beauty, then we deserve NONE Of it.
“O’Day dyes Ginger’s hair while she’s asleep, so that way it’s “hassle-free.”” This is the most disturbing point i got from this dog hair dyeing topic. Do you really think this dog is naturally sleeping through a shamppo and hair dye? I just can’t imagine. So why is the dog sleeping?
I, like so many others say as long as the dye is okay for the dog, hey why not. We dye our hair. I think there are far worse things you could do to a dog, like starve it to death, or dog fighting or neglect of any type. Hair dying, not an issue!
Absolutely NOT!! They are beautiful just they way they are!! If Mom Nature made them that way, there must be a reason. Don’t change them- hair dye is for us vain humans!
First of all their has been a lot written about hair dye being unhealthy for people, but if they are vain and need it, so be it, it is their choice, it is their health.
Now about some comments from brain trusses about poodles>> poodles do not like their hair dyed, poodles do not have dye able hair! When I was into dog showing my handler wanted to dye one of my dogs hair for a richer look>> even then I would not do it to have a better chance to win>> she won in off black!
Keeping them happy, healthy, clean and well groomed is our responsibility. If you need the attention, make them an outfiit
No. Absolutely not.
It’s a bit silly… Well, a lot silly. I don’t even like dogs being dressed up for any other purpose than keeping them clean in muddy weather. (Apart from a scarf maybe.) To me, all that is just disrespectful toward the dog, not perticularly cruel or anything, just disrespectful. They are after all animals, friends and companions, not fashion accessories… So it goes without saying I wouldn’t dye my dog, especially as he’s chocolate brown naturally.
NO. It looks and is, ridiculous and humiliating.
Good lord. Some of these responses remind me of “if GOD had wanted man to fly “he” would have given him wings”! Sheesh, it’s just a little non-toxic, even, vet-approved dye. If some want to color up their pups in a harmless, fun way, go for it. I would never use my fushia hair dye on my dog because it could hurt her. For those that think it is mocking or disrespectful, or humiliating, that’s coming from the people, certainly NOT the dogs. As long as the dogs are happy and well taken care of, what the heck. Life’s too short for grumpy, dull people.
You people talk like she is using human dye. There is no shampooing involved. you brush it on let it dry. When you shampoo it comes out! There is no burning of any kind. besides. If you dye your own hair and it burns, there is something wrong. Hair dye (human) should not burn a persons scalp. I’m a hairdresser. I know. Now I would not dye my dogs, but that is my choice. As far as a dog liking the different colors. I always thought dogs are color blind. I could be wrong on that. Let these crazy,fun people have their fun, and stop criticizing.
No I would not ever dye Doc or Sassy. I love my dogs the way God intended. They are beautiful in their natural state, especially Sassy. To dye them would cover up their distinctive markings. Like anything in nature, the untouched beauty is better in my estimation.
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think it’s shocking, as i have never dyed my hair but i remember my mum saying it was nipping her head. but she had the option
No … I would not dye my dogs fur, I can’t see any benefit to me or my dog to do that if I want her to look cute or funny I’ll put her in an outfit which she does love because it means we are going out somewhere. My kids had a teacher that brought in her poodles to school all the time and they were constantly different colors, we thought it was weird but then she was weird.
No, I would never dye my dogs fur. I dye my own to cover my gray if Misty ever tells me her grays bother her when she older maybe I would consider it.
Dying your dog is about as bright as getting tattoos with your lover’s name .
Never. Let dogs be dogs. Dyeing a dogs fur falls into the same category as carrying a dog in a purse, dressing a dog, and painting a dogs nails. Dog are not meant to be fashion accesories.
You’ll never catch me doing it, thats for sure.
Yeah!!! I have dyed my pets all different colors using food grade dyes and they seem to love it! They line up for the “color cuddles”, once my dog ran off while I was gone (he slipped out of his collar) and 2 weeks later he was found and returned- by a friend who saw him and recognized his bright paint job! He had gone about 20 miles, and was 2 towns away, but because he was “dressed in blue” he was recognizable even from a distance, and safely returned home. Tourists in Seattle often would take pics if my dog and I at Pike’s Market because we both had matching neon hair. Using the correct products is the only real safety concern, never use the “mix up” dyes, animal safe dyes are a kind of gel, ready to use right from the jar. Just make sure they are rinsed well, because they will lick themselves , then lick you, and you will turn colors too!
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO AND DID I SAY NO? WHY CAN’T WE BE SATISFYED WITH THE WAY WERE BORN? IS IS RIDICULOUS TO DO SUCH A THINK TO OURSELVES LET ALONE OUR PETS!!!!!!!
HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE DOGS!!!
My dog is perfect the way she is. I do not need to dye her hair.
Never, ever! Dogs aren’t fashion accessories. They are living creatures with real feelings. Bodie is absolutely perfect just the way he looks! The only thing I’ve ever done to him is give him a summer hair cut to give him some relief from the relentless heat.
Yes, I would. In fact I was picking a color out of a pet catalog the other day.
I am a large, dignified, chocolate lab, so it would be pointless to try to dye my hair. I much prefer to wear hats and wigs to aquire my ’special day’ looks. much more versatile, don’t you agree??
I would not dye my dog. I might consider a little bit for maybe a halloween costume, but for no particular reason? NO.
Anyway, I certainly wouldn’t be allowed to on my Service Dog Pup!
The only way these people can draw get attention is to dye their dogs? That’s just plain “sick”…they need serious help. I have a black (not pink) lab and a black and white (not green) husky. They were born this way and will stay this this color until their fur “greys” with age.
There is no color of dye that could match the beautiful nuance of shades in my dog’s natural hair!
i absolutely would not dye my dogs hair vet approved dye or not. i have a shih poo who is cream/white with black ears and beard who could be dyed if i wished. i would not do since i think it’s cruel,looks stupid, my dog would give me the paw for it-and give me that you’ve been mean to me stare.
i also don’t care how careful you are there’ no way you could dye a dog like that in it’s sleep. i’ve seen groomers who have done dying as a accent look to like the very tip of the tail or something not too much wrong with that but the whole dog is stupid.
i don’t see how it could be totally safe far as skin problems or accidentlly getting it in your dogs eyes. my dog has allergies and has never been dyed people need to think of these things before they do something stupid that could cause severe skin problems.
i think dogs should look natural as god intended and their beautiful the way they are.if you want to dress your dog up try a cute dog shirt or something my dog loves it and think he’s special.
have you ever seen a pink dog in akc dog show? no because their beautiful the way their are and represent their breed. dog would be disqualified for this if it was done.
well, i like my pet in the most natural state, thtat is they lovely!