If you’ve ever seen a four-legged friend sporting some brightly colored fur, you may have wondered if dog hair dye is safe. After all, you wouldn’t want to put your beloved pet at risk, right? But is dyeing your pup’s fur really dangerous? While you may find products that are marketed to dye your dog’s hair, some products can be harmful and we strongly advise against it. Dyeing your dog’s hair is even illegal in certain parts of the U.S. Keep reading while we uncover the facts you need to know about dog hair dye.
Is Dog Hair Dye Safe?
Dog hair dye, similar to dye for us humans, is a product used to change the color of a pup’s fur. You must never use human hair dye on your dog. If you decide to dye your dog’s hair, make sure you purchase a pet-grade or dog-specific hair dye. Human-grade hair dyes contain harsh chemicals including ammonia, peroxide, and paraphenylenediamine. These chemicals will at the very least irritate your dog’s skin and could even cause extensive skin burns. Never use human hair dye on your dog. If you decide that you want to dye your dog’s hair, consult with your veterinarian and use a dog hair dye, like temporary sprays or rinses.
Most dog hair dyes are made from non-toxic, plant-based ingredients. They’re designed to be safe for a pup’s skin, so they don’t contain any harsh chemicals, such as ammonia. To ensure that the dye is safe for your pup, always look for products that are specifically labeled for use on dogs.
What Exactly Is Dog Hair Dye?
Dog hair dye, similarly to dye for us humans, is a product used to change the color of a pup’s fur. You must never use human hair dye on your dog. If you decide to dye your dog’s hair, make sure you purchase a pet-grade or dog-specific hair dye. Human-grade hair dyes contain harsh and carcinogenic chemicals including ammonia, peroxide, and para-phenylenediamine. These chemicals will at the very least irritate your dog’s skin and could even cause extensive skin burns and damage their immune systems. Never use human hair dye on your dog. You can find a variety of dog hair dyes on the market, from temporary sprays and rinses to more permanent colorings.
Most dog hair dyes are made from non-toxic, plant-based ingredients. They’re designed to be safe for a pup’s skin, so they don’t contain any harsh chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia. To ensure that the dye is safe for your pup, always look for products that are specifically labeled for use on dogs.
Uses of Dog Hair Dye
The only reason to change a dog’s natural hair color is cosmetic and, for this reason, many animal welfare organizations and vets are against it. Many owners find it cute to see their beloved pups with a new look or might wish to give their pups a costume for an event. If this is an elective choice you make for your dog, it is your responsibility to look carefully for products that are safe for your dog and test the products in a small area before applying them more extensively. Always consult with your vet before doing so, and if you do choose to dye your dog’s hair, make sure it’s very sporadic and only using organic and natural pet-grade dyes.
Risks Associated with Dog Hair Dye
While you may find specific hair dye marketed for dogs, there are a few risks associated with it. Here are some of the potential risks:
Allergic Reactions
Some pups may be allergic to the ingredients in the dye. Oftentimes this occurs with permanent dyes because they have stronger chemicals. So be sure to do a patch test before applying the dye.
Skin Irritation
If the dye gets on your pup’s skin or mucosas, or they lick it, it can cause irritation. Be sure to rinse it off immediately if this happens.
Eye Irritation
The dye can irritate your pup’s eyes, so be sure to keep it away from their face. You may want to use an applicator brush when applying the dye to the dog’s neck or ears.
Overdyeing
If you leave the dye in for too long, it can cause your pup’s fur to become brittle and damaged (just like human hair dye). Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label and rinse the dye out after the recommended time.
Important Considerations
Depending on where you live, dyeing your dog’s or any other animal’s hair might be considered animal cruelty. This means that even if you choose safe, all-natural organic dye, it is still not acceptable. Colorado, Maine, and South Carolina are three states where dyeing your dog’s hair could bring you expensive fines and even result in your beloved pet being impounded, put up for adoption, and even euthanized if nobody adopts. This is definitely not worth the consequences for a fancy new look. Keep this in mind and make sure that along with checking the ingredients you also check the rules and regulations before attempting to dye your dog’s hair.
Summary
While you may see pictures or come across dogs whose fur has been dyed, it’s important to remember that dyeing your dog’s fur is purely cosmetic and offers no benefits to their health or well-being. Furthermore, hair dye can be harmful, and doing so in certain states could bring you a fine.
If you’re considering dyeing your pup’s fur, make sure to do your research. Read the product labels and instructions carefully and be sure to do a patch test before applying the dye to the whole area. Apart from checking the ingredients, don’t forget to check the rules and regulations in your area.
Featured Image Credit; hedgehog94, Shutterstock
