• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Dog Care 101
    • Choosing A Dog
    • Dog Breed Selector
    • First Days At Home
    • Good Dog Names
    • Potty Training Dogs
    • Puppyproofing & Dog Safety 101
    • Invisible Fence Reviews
    • Dog Ages/Growth Stages
    • Senior Dog Tips
    • Raising Two Dogs
  • Food & Treats
    • Dog Food Kibble
    • Human Foods For Dogs
    • Changing Food & Feeding Tips
    • Homemade Dog Treats
    • Kong Recipes
  • Dog Health
    • Diarrhea Remedy
    • Human Meds For Dogs
    • Dog Skin Issues
    • Flea & Tick Control
    • Vet Tips For Sick Dogs
    • Emergencies & Vet Bills
    • Dog Surgery & Recovery
    • Dog Died …Or Is Dying
  • Tricks & Training
    • Cool Dog Tricks
    • Dog Communication 101
    • DIY Dog Training Tips
    • Behavior Problems
    • Puppy Biting & Chewing
    • Stop Dog Barking
    • Crate Training & Sleeping Advice
  • Dog Cleaning & Grooming
    • Dog Odors & Stains
    • Dog Shedding & Fur
    • Clean & Treat Dog Ears
    • Dog Baths & Deodorizing
    • Dog Nails & Paw Care
    • Teeth & Mouth Issues
    • How To Care For Dog Eyes
  • Toys & Activities
    • Dog Toys, Games & Enrichment
    • DIY Dog Items
    • Places To Go With Dogs
    • Dog Walking Tips & Accessories
    • Car Rides With Your Dog
    • Free And Fun Stuff For Dog Lovers
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

First Time Dog Owner Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

  • New? START HERE!
  • DIY Grooming Tutorials
  • Dog Home Remedies
  • DIY Training Tips
  • Dog Food/Treats
  • Out & About w/Dogs
Home » Home & Garden » DIY Dog Grooming & Dog Cleaning Tips » Dog Shedding & Fur Issues » How To Dye Dog Hair Safely Yourself

5 DIY Dog Hair Dye Methods Using Food Color… Read This Before You Dye Your Dog’s Fur A Different Color!

2K Shares
Pin1K
Share299
Tweet

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to yourself.


Thinking of dying your dog’s fur to make it a different color?

diy-dog-hair-dye

Here are some popular dog fur colors and times of the year to dye your dog’s fur:

  • Rainbow dog fur for any occasion
  • Pink dog fur for Valentines Day
  • Green dog fur for St. Patrick’s Day
  • Pastel colored dog fur for Easter
  • Bold rainbow colored dog fur for Cinco de Mayo
  • Red/white/blue dog fur for an election year or 4th of July
  • Tie dye dog fur for Hippie Festivals like Bonnaroo
  • Striped dog fur for Halloween
  • Fall colored dog fur for Autumn and Thanksgiving
  • Red & green dog fur for Christmas
  • Years or numbers on dog fur for New Year’s Day
  • Colorful circles on dog fur for the Olympics
  • Blue dog fur for when you’re feeling emotional
  • Bright pink dog fur for when you’re feeling joyous

…You get the idea!

Following are some helpful tips for dying your dog’s fur — without hurting your dog or making them uncomfortable in the process.

 

Do NOT Use Regular Hair Dye!

Remember, the pH level of your dog’s skin is very different than a human’s.

That’s why you cannot use regular hair dye to color your dog’s fur.

This dog has a very bad skin infection - it's painful for the dog.

First and foremost, don’t use products with harmful chemicals in them to dye your dog’s fur! The chemicals (including bleach) will irritate a dog’s skin and you’ll have to undergo a series of vet visits to get your dog’s skin and coat back to normal. Don’t make your dog suffer through this.

The safest option is to use food coloring. This will not harm your dog if they should happen to lick their paws or coat while it’s drying.

 

5 Ways To Dye A Dog’s Fur With Food Color

#1 – First, try to find real foods that are safe for dogs to eat and that will produce the color you are after. Some examples:

  • Asparagus
  • Beets (red/pink)
  • Blackberries (purple/black)
  • Blueberries (blue/purple)
  • Carrots (orange)
  • Cherries (red)
  • Cranberries (red/pink)
  • Raspberries (pink)
  • Red Cabbage (blue/purple)
  • Spinach (green)
  • Strawberries (red/pink)
  • Sweet Potatoes (orange/tan)
  • Turmeric Powder (yellow)

The juice from any of the above should tint your dog’s fur enough to be noticeable. You can use fresh or frozen. You’ll want to squeeze either fresh or thawed varieties and then use a potato masher to get the most juice. Or toss into a blender or food processor.

Some of the foods that stain your hands (top, then left to right): beets, blackberries, cherries, and blueberries.

In South America, the juice of red sweet potatoes is combined with lime juice to make a dye for cloth. By varying the proportions of the juices, every shade from pink to black can be obtained. Source

 

#2 – If you can’t find any dog-safe foods to create the perfect color, then look for all-natural, plant-based, or organic food coloring — like India Tree natural decorating colors or Whole Foods plant-based food coloring. They are made from highly concentrated vegetable colorants. Best of all, they contain no synthetic dyes and no corn syrup.

Mix the food coloring with fresh water at room temperature. For a small dog you can fill a bath with the colored water, but for a larger dog better put the colored water into a squirt bottle. Saturate the dog’ fur with the colored water -be sure to get all surfaces fully wet. Use a dog comb or brush to work the colored water through the fur and above all be careful not to get the food coloring in his eyes! Put the dog on some old towels or newspapers while you wait for her to dry since the colored water drips off the fur while drying. Source

 

#3 – Alternatively, you could use regular artificial food coloring. Just be sure to use a little at a time, until you’re clear how dark the resulting color on your dog’s fur will be.

There is some evidence that many commercial artificial food coloring (like red 40 or yellow 6 or blue 2 for example) may have carcinogenic properties if fed long term (such as every single day over the life of a dog). This is one of many reasons that any pet food with artificial coloring added to it is best to avoid. However, the amount of food coloring that would be in your biscuits fed occasionally to a dog is exceedingly unlikely to cause any harm to a dog. If you want to add orange food coloring to the biscuits for a festive flare, go for it. At Christmas time I will make “candy cane” cookies by adding red food coloring to half of the biscuit dough and twisting two rolled pieces of dough together and bending the top. It has never hurt any dog I’ve ever met. Source

 

#4 – Also, there are only a few dog-safe hair dyes on the market. Be sure to check the ingredients and precautions closely because most of them do contain chemicals that could irritate your dog’s skin — especially if your dog already has allergies or skin issues. So, use with caution.

TIP: Combine 2 or more to create a whole new color: Yellow+Red=Orange and Blue+Yellow=Green and Red+Blue=Purple. You’ll find some helpful tips in these 8 ways to make organic food coloring.

 

#5 – As for using the Kool-aid hair color method on your dog… it’s not highly recommended. Even if you use sugar-free Koolaid, you’ll end up with a sticky mess that will probably make your dog uncomfortable. In addition, the ingredients aren’t good for your dog if they should happen to lick their skin or fur. And the ingredients in Kool-aid are not good for your dog’s skin either.

Apply the dye in one of two ways: (1) Mix the dye in a sink or tub full of water and submerge your dog in the colored water. This will provide a faint color effect. (2) For a more drastic dye job, sit your pup in the sink or tub (depending on its size) and apply the dye with a brush. If you’re using drink mix, combine the powder with water to create a paste. Then apply the paste to small patches of fur until your dog is covered in color. Source

 

8 DIY Dog Hair Dye Tips

Sometimes all you need is a little color on the tips and tails!

  1. For the best outcome, start with a clean dog that has been bathed and brushed.
  2. Light-colored dog fur works best for coloring. The darker your dog’s fur is, the harder it is to find a color that will tint it.
  3. If your dog is unhealthy in any way, do not dye your dog’s hair!
  4. Be careful so that you don’t get any of the dye in your dog’s eyes — even natural food coloring. (Dog goggles work best!)
  5. It’s best to dye your dog outdoors where nothing could become damaged (or spotted) when your dog shakes their fur.
  6. Be sure to wear thick rubber gloves so your hands won’t become stained.
  7. If you use a towel to pat dry your dog, keep in mind that towel will become permanently stained.
  8. Depending on how dark you tint your dog’s fur, it usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to completely wash out.

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. 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. Source

 

How To Remove Food Coloring Stains

If you get food coloring on you (or somewhere else it doesn’t belong), you can either use baking soda or acetone nail polish remover.

Here’s how:

#1 – Use some baking soda and a loofah, combined with a small amount of water to make a paste on your hands. Then “scrub” away the food coloring, and rinse well. To remove food coloring from your fingernails, use toothpaste and a toothbrush — it will pull the color right out. (TIP: You can also use toothpaste on your elbows, heels, or any “rough spots” that get food coloring on them.)

#2 – Use acetone polish remover poured onto a cotton ball to “dab away” any food coloring stains. (TIP: Don’t scrub — that will burn your skin. Dabbing draws out the stain without hurting your skin.)

TIP: If you don’t have either baking soda or acetone nail polish remover on hand, you can try something like a facial astringent or witch hazel — but acetone actually works the best, in my opinion.

 

Pictures Of Dog Fur Colors… For Inspiration!

Enjoy the following links to photos of DIY dog hair dye experiments — some went wrong, and some are oh so right!

dog hair dyed eyebrows

  • Pastel polka dots on a dog’s fur
  • Colorful clown dog
  • Dye just the white parts of the dog’s fur
  • Green, blue & pink dogs in a basket
  • Pastel colored dog
  • Red & white poodle
  • Stencils (or cookie cutters) make colored shapes on dog fur
  • Blue fringe on a white dog
  • White dog dyed brown
  • Pink dog with pink stripes

 

Dogs Dyed To Look Like Other Animals

Have you seen the dog that was dyed to look like a Panda?

panda dog

Here’s the story behind the “real” Panda dog.

 

And here’s a creatively dyed Tiger dog:

More photos of tiger dogs and panda dogs.

 

This dog is a great example of a dog dyed to look like a lion:

Dog fur dyed to look like a lion.

On a related note, this giraffe dog fur dye job looks professional!

Like this post? Save it to read again later… or share with others on Pinterest!

DIY dog hair dye tips if you're thinking about dying your dog's eyebrows, paws, or full body a different color!

Lynnette
Lynnette

I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about “outside the box” Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn’t think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I’ve always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I’ve been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what’s ‘normal’ and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I’m not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I’ve written over 600 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.

franklin.thefuntimesguide.com/the_face_behind_the_blog/
5 DIY Dog Hair Dye Methods Using Food Color... Read This Before You Dye Your Dog\'s Fur A Different Color!
2K Shares
Pin1K
Share299
Tweet

Filed Under: DIY Dog Grooming & Dog Cleaning Tips, Dog Shedding & Fur Issues, Home & Garden Tagged With: 4th Of July Dog Ideas, Christmas Holiday Dog Tips, DIY Dog Stuff, Dog Grooming Tips, Easter Dog Tips, Fun Stuff For Dog Owners, Holiday Dog Tips, Humanizing Dogs, Indoor Fun With Dogs, New Year's Dog Tips, Outdoor Fun With Dogs, Pet Hair And Shedding, Pictures Of Dogs, Springtime Fun For Dogs, St. Patrick's Day Fun For Dogs, Thanksgiving Dog Tips, Valentine's Day Dog Tips

Primary Sidebar

About Me

LynnetteI like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner -- currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians -- whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started... and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog -- how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

Top Searches

Adopting/Rescuing A Dog Canine Cancer Tips Celebrity Dog Owners Chewing & Destructive Behavior Cleaning & Odor Tips For Dog Owners Costs & Expenses For Dog Owners Death And Dying In Dogs Diarrhea In Dogs & Poop Issues DIY Dog Stuff Dog Allergies & Skin Issues Dog Behavior Issues Dog Breeds Dog Food Brands & Human Foods For Dogs Dog Games & Activities Dog Gear & Necessities Dog Grooming Tips Dog Injuries & Emergencies Dog Toys & Dog Chews Dog Tricks To Try Eye Issues With Dogs Feeding Tips For Dogs Fun Stuff For Dog Owners Holiday Dog Tips Home Remedies & Alternative Medicine For Dogs Humanizing Dogs Humor About Dogs Indoor Fun With Dogs Kong Dog Toys & Kong Recipes Labrador Retriever Dogs New Dog Owner Tips Old Dogs / Senior Dogs Outdoor Fun With Dogs Peeing And Housebreaking Tips Pet Hair And Shedding Pet Warnings And Dangers Pictures Of Dogs Reviews Of Dog Products Summer Fun For Dogs Teeth Tongue Mouth Issues In Dogs Travel Dog Tips Treats & Snacks For Dogs Veterinarian And Expert Dog Tips Videos Of Dogs Vomiting Dogs / When To Induce Vomiting Walking Tips & Leashes For Dogs

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Fun Times Guide logo
Shop Our Favorite Items

Copyright © 2004-2021 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap