Introduction
Opawz is a company that specializes in producing hair dyes for dogs. Their product line includes temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes in a variety of vibrant colors like pink, blue, purple, and more. Dog hair dyes have grown increasingly popular in recent years as a trendy way for pet owners to customize the look of their dogs.
While dyeing a dog’s hair may seem like a harmless way to express creativity, some vets and animal welfare organizations have raised concerns about the safety and ethics of the practice. As we’ll explore in this article, applying chemical dyes to dogs’ skin and coats may cause irritation, toxicity, and unnecessary stress for the animals.
What is Opawz?
Opawz is a company that manufactures and sells creative grooming products for pets, specializing in safe hair dyes for dogs. The brand was founded in 2001 by a hairstylist named Wanda Levy, who wanted to combine her knowledge of hair color with her love for animals (https://www.opawz.com/pages/about).
According to their website, Opawz aims to provide high-quality grooming products that allow pet owners to express themselves through styling their pets’ hair. Their collection includes temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes, chalks, shampoos, conditioners, and styling tools like clippers and shears.
In addition to hair dyes, Opawz offers grooming products like shampoos, conditioners, sprays, and brushes intended for pets. The products are made from natural ingredients and are safe for regular use on dogs and cats.
Opawz sells its line of creative grooming products on its website www.opawz.com as well as through select online retailers and brick-and-mortar pet supply stores. The company is based in Chatsworth, California and ships worldwide.
Opawz Hair Dye Options
Opawz offers a wide range of temporary and semi-permanent hair dye colors for dogs. They have bright, vibrant colors like pink, blue, purple, and green. They also offer more natural shades like black, brown, blonde, and white. Here are some of the most popular Opawz hair dye choices:
Temp Colors – These temporary hair dyes come in fun, bright colors. They last through 1-2 shampoos. Great for making a statement for a day or event. The Temp Colors line includes shades like Electric Blue, Pretty in Pink, and Punk Purple.
Naturals – These semi-permanent dyes produce natural looking colors like black, chocolate, blondie, and snow white. They can last 4-6 weeks depending on the condition of your dog’s coat. A great option for lightly enhancing your dog’s natural color.
Luxe Colors – Long-lasting semi-permanent hair dye that lasts 4-8 weeks. Available in vibrant colors like True Blue, Luscious Lavender, and Regal Red.
Spunky Sprinkles – These semi-permanent dyes contain a mix of natural and unnatural shades blended together for a fun ombre look. Each jar contains complementary shades like Pink Punk and Blue Steel. Lasts 4-6 weeks.
Application Process
According to the Opawz website, “Apply directly to the pet’s coat. You can also apply with a brush for more detailed designs. The repeated application creates a fuller and more vibrant result.” (https://www.opawz.com/pages/product-instructions)
More specific instructions include:
- Wear gloves during application.
- Shake the bottle before use.
- Apply onto desired coat area and leave it on for 20 minutes. For the Loyal Brown and Vital Copper shades, leave the color on for at least 40 minutes.
- Use a brush or gloved hands to evenly distribute the dye throughout the fur.
- For targeted coloring, use stencils or tape to block off certain sections.
- Avoid getting dye on your pet’s skin by only applying to fur.
- Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
- Gently blow dry and style as desired.
- Re-apply as needed when color starts to fade.
Following the instructions carefully will help achieve even, vivid results. Going slowly and applying dye in sections can make the process easier.
Dye Effects and Duration
Opawz dog hair dye produces vivid, vibrant colors that really stand out on your dog’s coat. According to the Opawz website, the dye colors last between 2-5 weeks on average. However, results may vary depending on your dog’s coat type and breed.
In general, darker colors like black, brown and red tend to last the longest, around 4-6 weeks. Pastel colors like pink and purple may only last 1-2 weeks. The semi-permanent blue dye states it will wash out in 6-12 washes, which equates to around 2-4 weeks with weekly bathing.
Opawz does offer more permanent pet hair dye options, but reviews suggest the semi-permanent colors will provide enough vibrancy and longevity for most pet owners’ needs. As the dyes gradually fade, they tend to morph into fun pastel hues before washing out completely. With proper application, Opawz dye can transform your pooch into a bright, colorful canine.
Pet Safety
When using any hair dye on pets, it’s important to consider potential risks and safety concerns. According to Rover, human hair dyes can be toxic if ingested by dogs, since dogs tend to lick their fur. Therefore, only pet-safe dyes like Opawz should be used. The PETA blog also warns that some dyes may cause allergic reactions or stress for sensitive dogs. They recommend doing a patch test first.
Opawz states their dyes contain no ammonia or peroxide, making them gentler than human dyes. However, it’s still smart to monitor your pet after dyeing to ensure no irritation occurs. Take care not to get dye near eyes, nose or mouth. Overall, exercise caution and use a pet-approved dye to minimize risks.
Reviews of Specific Colors
Opawz offers a wide range of bright, vivid hair dye colors for dogs. Some of the most popular shades include red, pink, blue, purple, and rainbow.
The red shade is a customer favorite, providing a rich, bright red hue that really pops on dogs with lighter fur. As one reviewer on Amazon said, “Bright vibrant colors – easy to put on. The only issue I’ve had is that it does tend to still run a little bit and stain surrounding hair on the next bath, but the color is worth it.”1
The pink shade provides a bright, eye-catching pink that looks great on white or light brown fur. It does require occasional touch-ups between full dye jobs. The blue shade is bold and vibrant, though some reviewers mention it tends to fade faster than other colors.
For a fun rainbow effect, the rainbow hair dye kit allows you to mix and match shades for a custom colorful look. The rainbow colors tend to show up more vividly on lighter fur. One downside is that the different dye colors can sometimes bleed together.
Overall, Opawz hair dyes provide striking, vibrant shades for dogs. While color fastness can vary across shades, periodic touch-ups allow the colors to maintain their eye-catching hues. Proper application also helps the dyes set evenly and minimize bleeding between colors.
Cost Comparison
When it comes to the price of Opawz dog hair dyes, they tend to be more expensive than competitor brands but offer higher quality ingredients and results. Opawz dyes range from $15-$30 depending on the size and color, while competitors like PawPaint and Color Pets sell kits for $10-$20.
The higher price point of Opawz is due to the non-toxic, vegan formula that is gentle on pets’ skin. The dyes use natural ingredients and Aloe vera to condition fur and provide vibrant, long-lasting color. Competitors may use harsher chemical dyes to lower costs. Opawz is a salon-quality, professional brand while many competitors target home use.
For pet owners that want salon-level results and are willing to pay a bit more for quality, Opawz delivers excellent value. The ingredients and application process give it an edge over cheaper brands. While Opawz costs more upfront, the colors last longer so there is less need for frequent re-dyeing. For those on a tighter budget, competitors may offer an acceptable solution.
Expert Tips for Best Results
When dyeing your dog’s hair, follow these expert tips for the best results:
Before starting, always do a patch test on a small area to check for skin irritation. Wait 24-48 hours and monitor for any reactions before fully dyeing.
Carefully follow the instructions for prep, application, processing time, and rinsing. Using too much or too little dye can affect results.
Use pet-safe gloves, cotton balls, and Vaseline to protect sensitive areas like eyes, nose, and paw pads.
Work the dye thoroughly into the roots first then coat the rest of the hair. This helps the color last longer.
Rinse with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Gently towel dry. Avoid blow drying as the heat can damage dyed hair.
Brush regularly with a soft slicker brush to evenly distribute scalp oils and conditioner, which helps lock in color.
Use color-protecting shampoo and conditioner made for dyed pets. Bathe less often, like every 2-3 weeks, to make the color last longer.
Always monitor your pet closely after dyeing. Look for signs of skin irritation or allergic reactions. Discontinue use if any occur.
Re-dye regrowth every 4-6 weeks. The new hair growth will be undyed so regular touch-ups help maintain a vibrant overall color.
Conclusion
Opawz dog hair dye can allow pet owners to express their creativity and individuality through their beloved furry friends. With a range of vivid colors and sparkling options, it offers a fun way to temporarily change your dog’s look for holidays, special events, or just for fun. However, pet owners should research the product thoroughly beforehand and do allergy tests to ensure it is safe for their specific dog. When used correctly under supervision, most dogs tolerate the gentle, plant-based Opawz dyes well. But owners should be prepared to keep up with frequent retouching as the colors fade and grow out quickly. While Opawz can be a bonding experience for pets and owners, it is not right for every dog. Owners should put their pet’s health and comfort first. With reasonable expectations about the results, Opawz can allow creative expression and quality time together. Just be sure to celebrate your dog’s natural beauty every day, with or without the colorful dye.