Ever unsatisfied as we humans are, we’ve now envisioned alternative looks for our pets, and spare no cost to achieve those visions. Clothing, hats, diamond-studded collars – they’re all part of the craze to create new looks for our pets.
Another option for changing the look of our pets is to give them a dye job. Brown, black and white are common colors for pets when they’re born; green, pink and purple are not. However this is the new craze. Your pooch can now look like a tiger or a panda, he/she can be polka-dotted, striped, colour-blocked. If you can imagine a colour combination or pattern, you can turn you pooch into a walking fashion/art statement.
Doggie Salons now offer a range of looks and colour for you to choose from. The salon will transform your pooch into any animal or colour you would like. They will even give your pooch a paw-a-cure. His/Her nails can match the new look he/she is now sporting!
If you are going to bring your dog to a salon to get transformed make sure you choose a reputable salon that uses animal safe dyes and puts you pooch’s safety before “beauty”.
Don’t have the budget for a salon? Are you creative and like to try new things? Well, why not do it yourself? It is a fairly simple and cost effective project. But before you do, there are a few things to consider.
1. Your dog licks him/herself constantly, therefore any dye you use must be non-toxic and edible. NEVER use human dye. Human dye is toxic and is not meant to be ingested. NEVER use fabric dye or any other kind of industrial dye.
Food colouring is the safest dye for your dog’s fur, skin and digestive system. It is non-toxic and meant to be ingested. Food colouring has also been approved by ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
2. When dyeing your pooch keep the dye out of your pup’s eyes, ears and nose.
The best way to apply the tint is to use a spray bottle. Mix the dyes with water and spray it all over the dog.
3. Don’t assume that the color in the bottle is the color you will end up with on your dog. For instance, a white poodle will be much easier to dye than a black terrier. The color in the bottle will likely be accurate for the light-colored dog but will need to be much darker when you’re tinting a dark-haired animal.
Spray the liquid directly onto the animal then work it in by petting the dog in the opposite direction the fur grows. That is, instead of petting from head to tail, pet from tail to head. This causes the fur to rise up and allows the dye to get all the way down to the skin.
4. The squirting method doesn’t work so well when it comes to tinting the face. You don’t want to get the dye in the animal’s eyes so use a washcloth or sponge to apply tint to the face.
5. You can rub the dog lightly with a towel or use a blow dryer to dry. Use extreme caution with the blow dryer. Keep it on a low setting; don’t turn it on high to get finished faster. It’s difficult to judge how warm the air is on the dog so always use a low setting. In addition, keep the dryer several inches away from the dog at all times, never point the dryer at his or her face, and often place your hand in front of the dryer for a couple seconds to test the heat. When the dog is dry, brush or comb the fur.
NORTHERN BONE DOES NOT ENDORSE OR RECOMMEND DYEING YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND.
However if you want to dye your pooch, we ask that you be cautious and do it in a safe and healthy manner.
N0rthern Bone Dog Walking
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