Introduction
Dyeing dog hair has become an increasingly popular trend, allowing dog owners to temporarily change their dog’s appearance for fun or for special events. While traditional dog hair dyes can be harsh and even dangerous for dogs, dyeing with natural ingredients like beet juice has emerged as a safer, more temporary option.
Using beet juice to dye dogs’ hair has gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The vibrant pinkish-red hue produced by beets allows dog owners to temporarily decorate their dogs’ coats for holidays, photoshoots, parties, or just for a fun new look. Since it eventually washes out, beet juice provides a safe and non-permanent way to dye dogs’ hair a fun color.
Dyeing with beet juice has appeal as a natural, non-toxic option compared to chemical dyes. It allows creative dog owners to temporarily change their dogs’ appearance without the risks associated with other hair dyes. While human hair dye should never be used on dogs, natural juices like beet provide a safer alternative for those looking to decorate their dogs for special occasions or just for fun.
Benefits of Using Beet Juice
Using beet juice to dye your dog’s hair is safer and more natural than chemical dyes. Chemical dyes contain harsh ingredients like ammonia and hydrogen peroxide that can irritate a dog’s skin and potentially cause allergic reactions. Beet juice, on the other hand, is made from natural beets and is free of harsh chemicals.
Beets contain pigments called betalains that provide a rich, vibrant red-purple color when the vegetable is juiced or pureed. Betalains are approved by the FDA for use as food coloring and have not been associated with any toxic effects in humans or animals. This makes beet juice a much lower risk option for dyeing dog hair compared to chemical dyes which can contain concerning ingredients like lead, mercury, and carcinogens.
Using a natural plant-based dye like beet juice greatly reduces the chances of an allergic reaction in your dog. Chemical dyes contain many synthetic ingredients that dogs can develop sensitivities to over time with repeated exposure. Beet juice only contains one main coloring ingredient from a natural source, so allergic reactions are very unlikely.
Overall, opting for beet juice over a chemical hair dye is a safer choice that provides vibrant color for your dog without harsh chemicals or risk of negative reactions. The natural source and purity of the ingredients make beet juice coloring ideal for dogs with sensitive skin.
What You’ll Need
To dye your dog’s hair pink using beet juice, you’ll need just a few simple supplies:
- Beet juice – Use fresh beet juice extracted from raw beets for best results. You’ll need enough juice to thoroughly saturate your dog’s hair. Consider the length and thickness of your dog’s coat when determining quantity.
- Brush or sponge applicator – Use a clean brush or sponge to apply the beet juice evenly across your dog’s hair.
- Gloves – Wear gloves during application to avoid staining your hands.
You can find fresh beets to make juice at most grocery stores. Choose beets that are firm and smooth. Avoid beets that are wrinkled or blemished. Extract the juice using a juicer, food processor, or by grating and straining the beets. Refrigerate leftover juice for up to 3 days.
Choosing a Dog
When choosing a dog to dye with beet juice, you’ll want to consider the dog’s coat type and age. Certain coat types, like poodle coats, absorb dye better than double coats like huskies. And you’ll have the best luck dyeing light colored dog hair, so steer clear of dark coats.
You’ll also want to make sure your dog is at least 1 year old before dyeing their fur. Puppy coats are still developing, so it’s best to wait until they mature. Senior dogs may have more sensitive skin, so do a patch test before applying beet juice dye to make sure they don’t have a reaction.
The vet recommends choosing a dog between 1-7 years old with a poodle, bichon, or other single layered coat for the best beet juice dye results. Always do a patch test before dyeing regardless of coat type to check for skin sensitivity (https://thevets.com/blog/dog-hair-dye/).
Safety Precautions
When dyeing your dog’s hair with beet juice, it’s important to take some safety precautions. Beet juice is natural, but you still need to be careful to avoid irritation or ingestion.
Avoid getting the beet juice in your dog’s eyes. The juice can sting and irritate their eyes. Carefully apply the juice only to the hair and avoid the face and eye area.
Only mix small batches of beet juice at a time. The juice will oxidize and lose its coloring power if left out too long. Mix just enough for each application.
Don’t leave the beet juice on for too long. A quick rinse of 5-10 minutes is usually sufficient to impart color. Leaving the juice on too long increases chances of skin irritation. Rinse thoroughly after the desired color is achieved.
Check for skin irritation during the process. Discontinue use if your dog seems bothered or if you notice any redness or inflammation. Not all dogs will tolerate hair dyes well. Monitor your dog’s skin closely.
Never leave your dog unsupervised during the dyeing process. Keep a close eye to ensure they don’t ingest any of the beet juice.
Preparing the Beet Juice
Beet juice can be easily extracted at home to create a natural dye for dog hair. The key steps are:
Wash and peel the beets. Chop into small pieces to make them easier to juice.
Use a juicer, blender, food processor or grater to extract the bright pink/purple beet juice. A juicer usually gives the best yield and removes the pulp.
Grate or blend around 2-3 medium sized beets to get enough juice to dye a small or medium sized dog. You may need more for larger dogs with thick coats.
Strain the beet juice through a sieve or cheesecloth to remove any solids or pulp. This helps create a smooth liquid that’s easy to apply.
Dilute the beet juice slightly with water if the color is too intense. Start with a 1:1 beet juice to water ratio. The more diluted, the lighter the end color.
Pour the beet juice into a spray bottle or small bowl for easy application on the dog’s coat.
Always do a patch test first before applying all over to test the color intensity. Apply a little juice to a small hidden area of fur and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing off.
Application Process
When you’re ready to apply the beet juice to your dog’s fur, start by brushing a small amount of the prepared juice into their coat in sections. Work in manageable areas like their back or belly using a tint brush or gloved hands to massage the juice all the way down to the roots. Take care to fully saturate each section while avoiding matting or tangles. For even coverage, apply the beet juice against the natural direction of hair growth. Work from the roots to the tips of the fur to ensure the color penetrates evenly.
After covering a section, use a damp cloth to wipe away excess dye on the fur’s surface. This will allow you to see if there are any spots that need more coverage. Keep applying the beet juice until the desired vibrant color is achieved. Check for streakiness and make sure to get the juice into every inch of fur, even hard to reach places. Be patient and take your time for the most even, vibrant results. The beet juice may take a bit of elbow grease, but the end coloring effect will be worth it.
Maintenance
Keeping your dog’s beet juice dyed hair looking vibrant will require some routine maintenance. As the hair grows out, the new growth will be the natural undyed color. To keep the color consistent, you’ll need to do repeat applications every 4-6 weeks. Focus on re-dyeing the new growth rather than saturating the previously dyed hair. This will allow the color to last longer.
It’s also important to watch for staining and fading, especially around the eyes, mouth, paws and tail. These high contact areas tend to rub and fade faster. You can use a sponge or small brush to lightly apply beet juice just to those regions as needed between full dyeing sessions. Always check for skin irritation during touch ups.
Accidental stains on furniture or carpets can be tackled right away with hydrogen peroxide or dog-safe carpet cleaner. Don’t let stains set or they will be much harder to remove.
Bathing and swimming can cause the beet juice dye to fade faster. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and limit baths to once a month or when truly needed.
Removing the Color
The beet juice dye will fade gradually over time as the hair grows out. Regular bathing with dog shampoo will help wash the color out of the hair over several weeks. You can speed up the removal by making a paste with vitamin C powder and water and rubbing it into the dyed fur. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out. The vitamin C will help break down the pigments and draw the color out. Repeating this process once a week will steadily remove the beet color. Here is a helpful video on using vitamin C to remove dye from dog hair: HOW TO SAFELY DYE YOUR DOG’S HAIR
Fun Design Ideas
Beet juice offers a vibrant and playful palette of purple hues to style your pup. Get creative with fun designs like spots, mohawks, and colored tips.
Spots and patches of color are a cute look for any dog. Simply apply beet juice in small circular sections across your dog’s fur. This looks great with white or light colored coats.
For an edgy style, try a purple mohawk down the middle of your dog’s back. Section off the mohawk area and apply beet juice to just that strip of fur.
Coloring just the tips is a fun way to add subtle pops of purple. Apply beet juice to the ends of the ears, tail, paws or fringe.
You can also combine multiple colors for a rainbow look. Use beet juice alongside other natural dyes like blueberry or turmeric.
Let your imagination run wild with the vibrant purple hues of beet juice. Your pooch will love their new funky style!