How to Dye a Dog With Food Coloring
If fancy collars and designer clothing fail to make your dog as fashionable as you desire, you may want to consider dyeing your dog with food coloring. Using food coloring to tint a dog's coat is the latest trend for making your pet the perfect accessory and is moderately easy, even for the average pet owner with little grooming experience.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Large spray bottle
- Food dye
- Cotton balls or rag
- Newspaper
- Hair dryer (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Fill a spray bottle three-quarters full with lukewarm water. Add food coloring to the bottle until you reach your desired depth of color. Remember that when applied, the coloring will be lighter than it is in the bottle, so make the initial mixture darker than the color you want as the end result.
-
2
Place a layer of newspaper on the floor for the dog to stand on in your work area, and secure the dog in one spot using a leash.
-
-
3
Spray the fur with the water/food coloring mixture, using a comb or brush to work the solution through the fur. Continue spraying and brushing until the color reaches your desired hue. Do not spray the dog's face.
-
4
Use a cotton ball or rag dipped in the colored water to apply the mixture to the dog's face, taking great care to ensure the solution does not enter the dog's ear canal or eyes.
-
5
Allow the dog to completely dry before letting him come in contact with any clothing, carpet or furniture. You can speed the drying process by using a hair dryer on a low setting.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear old clothing or an apron when dyeing your dog, as the colored water mixture will stain clothing.
Perform the task outdoors to prevent the mixture from coming in contact with household furnishings that may be stained by the water.
The length of time that your dog's dye job will last will vary from a few days to a few weeks. Limit bathing and use darker colors to make colors last longer. Lighter colors will fade quickly and may only last about five to seven days.
Never use hair coloring designed for humans on a dog. Do not dye your dog with food coloring if she suffers from skin allergies or is prone to skin irritation.
Use caution when deciding to dye your dog since the food coloring dye is virtually impossible to wash out. If you are unsatisfied with the color, bathe the dog with a mild shampoo once or twice a week until the color has faded.
Do not bathe the dog with harsh chemicals or dye remover in an attempt to wash out the food coloring as this may irritate the dog's skin and can cause chemical burns.
