Random Reasons Why It's Horrible To Dye Your Dog's Fur (12 items)

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  (#1) Hair Dyes Can Be Toxic To Your Canine Companion

  The dyes that many pet salons use were originally created for humans and contain substances like ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. These are harsh chemicals which can cause burning, irritation, or other discomfort to a dog's skin. It's also important to keep in mind that humans only dye the hair on their head while a dog's hair covers its entire body, making any harmful ingredients easier to absorb. Dogs may lick or eat the dye off their fur as well, and end up ingesting these dangerous chemicals a lot faster.

  Elisa Allen of the UK chapter of PETA states:

  "Dogs aren't bonsai trees to be sculpted into shapes that please us. Many are nervous about being groomed, and dyeing them bright colors puts them at risk for allergic reactions and even toxic poisoning, which can have serious and even fatal consequences."
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  (#2) A Dog Gets No Amusement Out Of Being Purple Or Any Other Color

  Most dog owners will agree that their pooch has a unique personality. Dogs are sentient beings, not playthings, and don't seem to get any enjoyment out of suddenly becoming another color. When a pet owner dyes their dog, they are doing it for their own satisfaction, not their pet's. It's important to remember the difference and value the opinions of our canine companions, even if they can't voice them in words.

  Paula Boyden of Dogs Trust adds:

  "It's important that dog owners, and groomers, remember that dogs are not fashion accessories to have the latest trend tried out on them, grooming is for the dog's needs rather than for the owner's entertainment."
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  (#3) Your Dog Might Be Allergic To The Dye

  Some humans who dye their hair have allergic reactions to hair dye products, so it's not unreasonable to assume that dogs could be allergic to hair dye as well. Reactions may include itchy skin, which can be annoying and irritating for your furry friend. If they scratch themselves hard enough, dogs can also develop sores which can possibly become infected. Additionally, constant scratching of the ears or shaking of the head may cause the development of hematomas, or blisters filled with blood. If the discomfort a dog experiences is too extreme or lasts long enough, it can create behavioral changes as well.

  A PETA spokesperson comments:

  "They can get water in their ears (which isn't as simple as when it happens to a human; it can lead to all sorts of complications) or have an allergic reaction - even a fatal one. There is simply no way to know how your animal will react."
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  (#4) Dyeing Your Dog's Fur Stresses Them Out

  For many dogs, being groomed is not a calming experience. And since dogs cannot comprehend what's going on when they're being dyed, coloring a dog's fur can cause them more stress. They may even have trouble recognizing themselves afterwards. A stressed dog is not a happy dog and anxiety can cause loss of appetite, aggression, isolation, or stomach issues such as diarrhea or constipation.

  Dogs who are stressed out for too long can develop behavior problems and the physical and mental aggrivation caused by their anxiety can worsen over time if the cause is ignored.
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  (#5) It's Possible For Dogs To Get Painful Ear Infections During The Dyeing Process

  People who've dyed their own hair know the process requires a lot of water. Like humans, dogs can accumulate water in their ears, but this can cause painful complications for your pooch. A dog's ear is configured differently than a human's, since their ear canal has a L shape which can easily trap water. The longer the water sits in their ears, the more likely it is for bacteria or yeast to grow in the moist environment and cause an ear infection.

  Dogs with floppy ears are often more likely to get ear infections since they have more folds in their ears to retain moisture.
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  (#6) It's Illegal In Some States And Comes With Hefty Fines

  The state of Florida passed a law to protect rabbits and chicks from being dyed each year around Easter. However, the law also makes it illegal to dye a dog's fur. In 2010, one woman who dyed her poodle's tail and paws for Halloween received a $255 ticket from an animal control officer. It doesn't matter if the dye is considered non-toxic, the state considers dyeing your pet to be an act of animal cruelty.

  The state of Colorado also has laws in place making it illegal to dye your dog, specifically stating, "No person shall dye or color live fowl, rabbits, or any other animals or have in possession, display, sell, or give away such dyed or colored animals." One woman discovered this law the hard way and was given a $1,000 fine for her pink pooch.
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  (#7) It Can Be Humiliating To Your Furry Friend

  Many dog owners can usually tell when their pooch is happy or upset, but dogs are also capable of feeling humiliation. They don't understand the dyeing process and know when they are being laughed at or being given attention that they don't want. Caroline Kisko of the Kennel Club believes owners need to draw a line between their own vanity and a dog's needs, as well as realize that dogs who are humiliated might not always show such feelings. She comments:

  "It is not a toy and we need to maintain that a dog is a dog. Since we can't ask them, we should err on the side of caution. [...] Some will have a reasonably high level of tolerance for that sort of thing. You can get a dog that will love being the center of attention. But some will feel silly."
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  (#8) Dyed Dogs Are Not Natural Or Necessary

  When humans dye their hair, they usually do so to express their individuality. Dogs, however, express themselves in other ways and don't need to be pink to feel like themselves. Dyeing a dog's fur treats them more like an accessory than a living creature. There are many other ways to show off your dog, such as ribbons, bandanas, or dog clothing. Even a silly Halloween costume is a better choice. If dogs were meant to be blue with yellow polka dots, they would have been born that way.

  A spokesperson for PETA says, "PETA would urge people to let dogs be dogs: love and appreciate them for their natural beauty and leave them out of our confusing human shenanigans."
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  (#9) Dye Changes How Dogs Smell And Appear To Other Dogs

  A visit to a dog park will demonstrate that dogs tend to sniff each other a lot. They use their acute sense of smell to determine the gender, emotional state, and even the diet of another dog. It's been claimed that a dog's nose is 10,000 to 100,000 times more accurate than that of a human. But when a dog's fur is dyed, their smell changes along with their appearance.

  This can confuse other dogs, especially if they are a dog they had previously met and were already comfortable with. Dyed fur can also alarm your dog when they realize they themselves smell different.
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  (#10) Modern Dye Products For Dog Hair Have Not Been Tested For Their Effects On A Canine's Health

  While there are dog hair dye products owners can buy, none have been tested for their health effects. However, it is interesting to note that Clariol conducted research on dogs when testing their hair dye products in the late 1980s. According to the study, after many colorings, the dogs' hairs split and peeled, severely damaging the hair shaft. Their skin became dry and irritated and several dogs became hyperactive and restless as the experiment continued.

  Pet owners aren't going to dye their dog's fur 80 times a day like the researchers, but it still proves hair dye may not be as safe for dogs as you think.
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  (#11) Safe Dog Dye Brands May Have Misleading Packaging

  The labeling on dog dye can be misleading if you don't read the package carefully. Dog dye brands marked hypoallergenic or non-toxic may also feature warnings about the product possibly causing itching and skin irritation in the fine print at the bottom. Also, in conflict to the "non-toxic" claim, certain products might also feature warnings about washing a dog's mouth out for 15 minutes and immediately contacting a vet if the product is accidentally ingested.

  Be sure to read a dye product's label carefully. You should assume there will be medical hazards with any product, no matter how it may be advertsised as "safe" and "natural." 
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  (#12) If You Must Dye, Go Non-Toxic Or Make Your Own

  There are brands of dye available that claim to be dog-friendly, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic, and many can be found online. It's also possible to use DIY methods to dye your pet's fur, which may be less harmful to them if they lick or ingest it. Color can be taken from real food items such as beets for red or spinach for green. Food coloring can also be used - the closer to all-natural the better.

  Some people have used Kool Aid to dye their dog's fur, but it's not recommended since it tends to make a sticky mess and contains ingredients that could be harmful if ingested. 

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