Tattoos... for your dog?

rockin'robin · 05-07-2012, 12:02 PM

.Americans spend more than $50 billion a year on their pets. And now some owners think it's "hilarious" to spend some of that inking up their furry companions
Getting your dog a salon wash and haircut, pedicure, or even a fruit facial isn't considered pampering anymore, at least according to the National Association of Professional Creative Groomers (NAPCG), a group that advocates brightly colored dye jobs for the discriminating poodle, lab, or golden retriever — or even a dog tattoo. Not a real tattoo — imagine getting a dog to sit still through a long session of ink-dipped needling. These intricate canine designs are airbrushed on your pooch (ideally one with pale fur) using a stencil and special pet-friendly dye. Here's a brief guide:

Why on earth would you tattoo your pet?
Some dog owners use their tattooed pups for advertising purposes, getting the logo or name of their company airbrushed on Fido, but most owners just do it for fun. "People love it — it's hilarious," Heather Holland, owner of Lucky's Yellow Rubber Ducky Dog Wash in Shreveport, La., tells USA Today. "People can't wait for their friends and family to see it." The tattoo also "gives you a way to customize your dog," dog groomer and owner Heather Himes tells Fox WCCB-TV Charlotte.

SEE MORE: Frank Lloyd Wright's 'first and only' doghouse

Where did the idea come from?
It's a natural progression from the extreme-grooming trend that hit a few years ago, when it first became popular to use color and clippers to transform dogs into exotic animals like pandas and tigers, NAPCG president Amy Brown tells USA Today.

Are the tattoos safe?
The NAPCG says yes, because groomers only use special dyes that won't harm dogs' sensitive skin and will wash out over time. In fact, the organization introduced a certification system for creative groomers last year, including instruction on which dyes to use. Perhaps not surprisingly, animal rights group PETA isn't convinced, saying that any type of color job can confuse and stress out man's best friend, or even lead to a deadly allergic reaction.

SEE MORE: Uggie the dog's pop-culture takeover: A timeline

How much do the tattoos cost?
You can buy do-it-yourself kits online for about $7 — options include the John Deere logo, and Hello Kitty — but getting your dog professionally tattooed in a pet salon will typically cost anywhere from $10 to $20 and up. It's not surprising people pay up, given the estimated $52.9 billion Americans will shell out for their pets this year, according to the American Pet Products Association.

How do the dogs feel about being airbrushed?
They love it, Heather Himes tells WCCB-TV. Her dog Techno, happily "poses for cameras, flips her ears, she loves the attention." Jessica Law of The Dog Salon in Charlotte, N.C., agrees: "These animals get so much attention and love; they eat it up, from what I've seen." Hogwash, says PETA spokeswoman Jane Dollinger, who argues that the poor dogs find the tattoos humiliating. "Our dogs and cats love us regardless of how we look," she tells USA Today. "We should extend the same kindness to them."

Tattoos... for your dog? - Yahoo! News

MintyOreo · 05-07-2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin'robin

The tattoo also "gives you a way to customize your dog," dog groomer and owner Heather Himes tells Fox WCCB-TV Charlotte.

Hmm. Interesting. So... are dogs going to be allowed to customize their humans now? If I had a dog, I hope that it would pick out a nice tattoo for me!

This idea of tattooing dogs reminds me of people who dye bunnies different colors, to be given to children as Easter pets...

soutthpaw · 05-08-2012, 03:25 AM

popular in China see article Meet the Tiger Dog: Chinese owners dye pets to look like wild animals | Mail Online

Babyblue · 05-08-2012, 05:50 AM

Wirelessly posted

Better than the mutt nuts article I was reading. I use to paint my chihuahua's claws.

Mimsy · 05-20-2012, 02:22 AM

I sometimes put stickers on my dog, but turning him into a tiger?? Uh, nah.

rockin'robin · 05-20-2012, 11:24 AM

I've painted my doggie's toe nails, put on some frilly dog dresses, even "tried" to put her on some lipstick

...even bows in her hair...but she kept tearing them out. But to paint her? No.

**Reba** · 05-20-2012, 01:38 PM

Before microchips were invented, dog owners used to get ID numbers tattooed into their dogs' inner thighs. Our Labs had those tats.

whatdidyousay! · 05-20-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Before microchips were invented, dog owners used to get ID numbers tattooed into their dogs' inner thighs. Our Labs had those tats.

I heard of dogs having an ID tattooed on an ear but this was stopped as when a dog was stolen the ear was cut off!

05-07-2012, 12:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,667	Tattoos... for your dog? .Americans spend more than $50 billion a year on their pets. And now some owners think it's "hilarious" to spend some of that inking up their furry companions Getting your dog a salon wash and haircut, pedicure, or even a fruit facial isn't considered pampering anymore, at least according to the National Association of Professional Creative Groomers (NAPCG), a group that advocates brightly colored dye jobs for the discriminating poodle, lab, or golden retriever — or even a dog tattoo. Not a real tattoo — imagine getting a dog to sit still through a long session of ink-dipped needling. These intricate canine designs are airbrushed on your pooch (ideally one with pale fur) using a stencil and special pet-friendly dye. Here's a brief guide: Why on earth would you tattoo your pet? Some dog owners use their tattooed pups for advertising purposes, getting the logo or name of their company airbrushed on Fido, but most owners just do it for fun. "People love it — it's hilarious," Heather Holland, owner of Lucky's Yellow Rubber Ducky Dog Wash in Shreveport, La., tells USA Today. "People can't wait for their friends and family to see it." The tattoo also "gives you a way to customize your dog," dog groomer and owner Heather Himes tells Fox WCCB-TV Charlotte. SEE MORE: Frank Lloyd Wright's 'first and only' doghouse Where did the idea come from? It's a natural progression from the extreme-grooming trend that hit a few years ago, when it first became popular to use color and clippers to transform dogs into exotic animals like pandas and tigers, NAPCG president Amy Brown tells USA Today. Are the tattoos safe? The NAPCG says yes, because groomers only use special dyes that won't harm dogs' sensitive skin and will wash out over time. In fact, the organization introduced a certification system for creative groomers last year, including instruction on which dyes to use. Perhaps not surprisingly, animal rights group PETA isn't convinced, saying that any type of color job can confuse and stress out man's best friend, or even lead to a deadly allergic reaction. SEE MORE: Uggie the dog's pop-culture takeover: A timeline How much do the tattoos cost? You can buy do-it-yourself kits online for about $7 — options include the John Deere logo, and Hello Kitty — but getting your dog professionally tattooed in a pet salon will typically cost anywhere from $10 to $20 and up. It's not surprising people pay up, given the estimated $52.9 billion Americans will shell out for their pets this year, according to the American Pet Products Association. How do the dogs feel about being airbrushed? They love it, Heather Himes tells WCCB-TV. Her dog Techno, happily "poses for cameras, flips her ears, she loves the attention." Jessica Law of The Dog Salon in Charlotte, N.C., agrees: "These animals get so much attention and love; they eat it up, from what I've seen." Hogwash, says PETA spokeswoman Jane Dollinger, who argues that the poor dogs find the tattoos humiliating. "Our dogs and cats love us regardless of how we look," she tells USA Today. "We should extend the same kindness to them." Tattoos... for your dog? - Yahoo! News

05-08-2012, 05:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 12,034	Wirelessly posted Better than the mutt nuts article I was reading. I use to paint my chihuahua's claws. rockin'robin likes this.

05-20-2012, 01:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,526	Before microchips were invented, dog owners used to get ID numbers tattooed into their dogs' inner thighs. Our Labs had those tats. __________________ Tell us the truth about Benghazi!

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05-08-2012, 03:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
soutthpaw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 345	popular in China see article Meet the Tiger Dog: Chinese owners dye pets to look like wild animals \| Mail Online

05-20-2012, 02:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mimsy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 664	I sometimes put stickers on my dog, but turning him into a tiger?? Uh, nah.

05-20-2012, 11:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,667	I've painted my doggie's toe nails, put on some frilly dog dresses, even "tried" to put her on some lipstick ...even bows in her hair...but she kept tearing them out. But to paint her? No.