I love a silly theme. Game day, Halloween, Pride… if there’s a reason to add color, I’m in. So I tested a few nontoxic pet hair dyes on my own pups. I wanted bright colors, zero harsh smell, and no itchy skin. Simple, right?
Speaking of lively gatherings, if you’re ever in North Jersey and curious about adults-only costume nights where a rainbow-tailed dog could be the ultimate ice-breaker, swing by this Montclair swingers guide—it lays out upcoming events, venue vibes, and etiquette tips so you can decide whether to bring your color-splashed sidekick along for the fun.
If you’re also part of the LGBTQ+ community and want to swap rainbow-fur photos or just chat with like-minded pet parents, **visit InstantChat’s lesbian chat room**—you’ll find a friendly space to trade grooming tips, Pride-day ideas, and plenty of dog-lover camaraderie.
Well, mostly. If you're curious about the exact dyes I used and a day-by-day fade timeline, I break it all down in my full test diary.
Meet my test crew
- Poppy: a mini goldendoodle with a cream coat that takes color well.
- Tank: a white Frenchie with sensitive skin and a short coat.
- Miso: my gray tabby. I did not dye Miso, because my vet said cats lick more and can be at risk. Fair enough. I used color on her bandana instead—and later pampered her with a slicker-brush session using gear from my cat grooming tools field test.
What I used (and why)
I picked things groomers use, or that get good notes in dog groups I trust:
- OPAWZ Semi-Permanent Dog Hair Dye (Aquamarine and Hot Pink): gel in a tube, made for dogs.
- Warren London Critter Color (Purple): creamy paint that washes out.
- PetPaint Color Spray (Red and Blue): quick spray for stencils and stripes.
- OPAWZ Color Depositing Shampoo (Pink): mild tint that builds with each wash.
I avoided human dyes. No ammonia, no peroxide, no developer. That stuff can burn. I’m not playing that game with my dogs.
How I put it on without chaos (okay, with less chaos)
I did a small patch test first—inside the back leg—just to check for redness. No drama. Then I used gloves, old towels, and lots of paper towels. A few tricks that helped:
- A thin layer of petroleum jelly on the skin right above the eyes and around the lips kept color from sticking where I didn’t want it.
- A lick mat with peanut butter kept Tank still for 10 minutes. Magic.
- I blew color in with a small brush on Poppy’s tail and ears; for Tank’s short coat, my fingers worked better.
- I set a timer. OPAWZ gel sat for about 15 minutes. Warren London took 10. The shampoo just worked during a normal bath.
You know what? The mess was real the first time. But once I used less product, it got neat fast.
Real results, not just hype
- Pride tail: OPAWZ Aquamarine on Poppy’s tail came out bright. Like gummy-bear bright. It lasted through two baths, then faded soft.
- Game day paws: PetPaint Red with a foam paw stencil on Tank looked sharp, but the spray sound spooked him at first. I had to do short bursts. It washed off that night with soap.
- Purple ear tips: Warren London Critter Color on Poppy’s ear tips looked cute for a week, then faded evenly. No smell, no sticky feel.
- Pink shampoo: OPAWZ color shampoo gave a soft blush to Tank’s tail. Subtle, but sweet. No staining on my hands.
On dark fur, color looked muted. On cream or white fur, it popped. That’s just how it goes—light hair shows color; dark hair needs more punch, which I didn’t want to push.
The good stuff
- Easy on skin: No itch or hot spots on my dogs.
- Low smell: The gel and paint had almost no scent. The spray smelled a bit like craft paint, but it didn’t linger.
- Washes out: Sprays came off the same day; gels and creams took one to three baths.
- Fun shades: Aquamarine, Hot Pink, Purple… all lively, not dull.
The “meh” bits
- Stains happen: My white towel now has a pink corner. Gloves are a must.
- Wet transfer: If your dog goes out in rain, the color might rub on a shirt or couch. Ask me how I know.
- Spray noise: PetPaint hiss scared Tank the first time. We took breaks. It was fine, but yeah.
- Patchy on dark fur: Not a deal-breaker, just don’t expect neon on black coats.
A quick safety chat (because it matters)
For a deeper dive into safe at-home grooming and coloring techniques, the free guides at PetCareServices.org are worth bookmarking before you break out the dye. If you’re curious about ingredient safety, the FDA publishes an extensive color-additive status list (see the PDF here) that’s handy for double-checking labels.
- Do a patch test. Always.
- Keep color away from eyes, ears, nose, and private areas.
- Don’t use human hair dye. Not even “just this once.”
- For cats: my vet said no dye on fur. Cats lick a lot. If you want color, use a bandana or a clip-on bow. That’s what I did for Miso.
- Ventilation helps. I open a window for sprays.
- If your pet has skin issues, ask your vet first.
Tiny application tips that saved me
- Work in thin layers. Thick globs look uneven and take forever to rinse.
- Use a comb after you color. It spreads the color better on long coats.
- Blow-dry on low to “set” the look, but watch heat on sensitive skin.
- Baby wipes help catch drips before they stain paws (I’m partial to the gentle formulas my cats will actually tolerate, as seen in this cat-approved wipes guide).
- Old T-shirts on the sofa. Trust me here.
Cost and where it felt worth it
- OPAWZ gel: about mid-range for a tube. Lasts several uses on small areas.
- Warren London Critter Color: a tube goes a long way for tips and tails.
- PetPaint: good for quick events or stencils; you’ll use more if you cover big areas.
- Color shampoo: slow and gentle; great if you want soft color, not a big change.
Honestly, I thought this would be a big headache. It wasn’t. It’s more like craft time with a wagging tail.
Who should skip it
- If your pet hates baths or the sound of spray, you may want to try chalk or a color bandana instead.
- If you have a show coat or a very dark coat and you want bold color, you might be let down.
My bottom line
For fun moments—parades, holidays, kid birthdays—nontoxic pet hair dye can be safe and cute. OPAWZ gel gave me the brightest, cleanest color on Poppy’s light coat. Warren London Critter Color was the easiest to control on ear tips. PetPaint was best for fast stencils, though the hiss takes some warming up.
Would I do it again? Yep. I keep a small “color kit” by the shampoo now: gloves, a cheap brush, baby wipes, and a towel I don’t mind losing. And I always do a patch test, even when I’m feeling bold. Because they can’t tell us “hey, this burns” until it’s too late.
One last thing—take a pic before the first bath. The color fades, but that happy face sticks.