So Last Year!

Using pets as fashion accessories is nothing new. Not so long ago, celebs were plastered over magazine pages carrying pampered pooches in doggy bags. Not content with wearing the latest trends and brands themselves, owners also regularly visit stylish pet shops to adorn their best friends with designer collars, hats, coats and even mittens for kittens.

How We Roll (Over)

The latest increasingly popular trend is fur dyeing. Dyeing was first seen in 2010, in China, when pet animals, using a colour and clip technique, were made to look like wild animals, such as tigers and pandas as more commonly seen at the zoo.

Now in the west, fur is seen in a whole range of strange and unusual tones, coupled with a new trim to compliment the overall style aimed for. Since human dyes are harmful to animals, animal-safe dyes or even food colourings are used. However, concerns have still been raised about the potential risks.

Fashion Victim?

Despite being termed animal-safe, dyes for animal fur are very new so little is known about the long term possible effects. In particular, unlike human hair dye, the animal dye is much more likely to be used over the entire body, rather than just the head, so the surface area for absorption of chemicals is far greater. There is further concern that cats, who have more tendency to lick themselves, will also ingest more of the chemicals.

Another problem, potentially, could be those owners who will pay no attention to the advice that these dyes should be applied by professionals. Like counterfeit clothes, there will inevitably be those who will try to do it themselves, or use normal dye, due to ignorance or tight budgets.

Unlike a costume or coat which could be removed at any time, dyes last for up to six months. This is a long time in dog years. Animals cant tell you what they do and dont like, or what they do and dont want. Making any alteration of a pet could always carry an element of stress.

Love Labels

Dyeing is for the benefit of the owner not the pet. Even though owners claim their pets love the extra attention they get as a result of their new do, it is more likely the owners themselves who revel most in the bright, multi-coloured limelight.

There is no medical reason to change the colour or look of any animal. It is purely for cosmetic, fashion reasons; our personal entertainment. Where will it end? We are supposed to be animal lovers yet we choose a pet because of how it looks or the status it gives us. Even if we dont dye our pets, there are animals like guinea pigs which come in colours such as chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, silver, and more, to suit our tastes and surroundings. But what happens if we change our minds or the furniture coverings?

Remember pets love us just as we are. They dont care what colour our hair or skin is or what brand handbag we carry. Isnt it time we do the same for them?