Dying dog hair with Kool-Aid can be a safe, fun way to bring some color and extra attention into your dog's life.
There are many reasons why you may want to dye dog fur. Some people dye their dog's hair for fashion purposes or because they like the idea of having a unique dog. Others dye their dog's coat as an affordable alternative to groomer visits, which can be expensive and time-consuming. And still, others dye their dog's hair to better identify them if they get lost or run away from home. But before you decide on whether dying your pup is right for you, there are a few things that you should keep in mind: how will this affect my dog? Is it safe?
The true authority on a dog's safety and well-being lies with your veterinarian, as they are the most knowledgable and familiar with your pup. However, if you decide that you'd like to give your pup's fur a spark of color, there are safe methods out there for dyeing your pup's fur. It's important to note that you should never use human-grade hair coloring products for dog hair. These products can have chemicals dangerous for dog's fur and skin. Most dog hair coloring products are made using tested and safe ingredients.
Dog hair dye can be used to color the fur on various parts of a dog's body, including the tail and paws, as long as you're willing to put in some time and effort to make it happen. Some prep work is certainly involved. First, you have to select a method. The most common safe products for dyeing dog hair are food coloring, kool-aid, and dog-safe hair dye made specifically for dogs.
Once you have your preferred dye, you'll need to prep your space. To prevent this process from making too much of a mess, you should set up a dog-proof area, i.e., dog hair won't be able to get on furniture, floors, etc. It's also a good idea if this space has easy access to a sink or tub if there are any dye mishaps. You'll want to avoid carpeted areas and choose hard, easy-to-clean surfaces if you're doing this inside or preferably set this up outside near a hose or spigot. Make sure your dog is clean before applying any dye.
Once you're situated, you'll need to apply the color to your dog's fur. The dog hair dye process itself is similar for all three of the mentioned dog hair coloring products. First, you'll need to turn your dye of choice into a paste of sort to apply it. You can use a doggy conditioner and a bit of water and combine those with your dye. Once that's mixed well, apply the dog hair dye to your dog's fur, making sure not to get any in their face or eyes. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes, depending on how deep of color you're going for. Once you've waited the amount of time, rinse your dog off with warm water and towel them dry. You should be good to go! It's time for your dog to strut their stuff in public and get all the attention they deserve!
Here are a few tips to consider before going through with coloring your dog's fur. Your dog will likely get a decent amount of attention with dyed fur, so if they're shy, it's best not to put them in this situation where a ton of people will come up to them asking about their fur and trying to pet them. Also, your dog could have allergies to the ingredients in the dye you select. It's a great idea to start with just a tiny patch first to see if their skin or fur reacts poorly. If your dog has an adverse reaction to dog hair dye, you can try the other alternatives but never go through with it if it will negatively impact your dog's health. Another reason not to try dyeing your dog's fur is if the act of dyeing their hair makes them uncomfortable. They will let you know if they hate the experience very quickly, so pay attention to them the whole time.
What dog doesn't deserve to add a little bit of style to their dog hair? When in doubt, always ask your vet if dog hair dye is a good idea for you and your dog. When it comes to color, some dogs are no different than humans. They enjoy the chance to add some extra flair to their dog hair and bask in the glow of attention they receive.
