Pet owners around the world are embracing a new trend popularised on TikTok: transforming their dogs and cats to resemble other animals, complete with colourful nail polish and vibrant fur dyes. Despite warnings from doctors worldwide about potential risks, the trend continues to thrive.
Some pet salons offer these services to owners, with pets leaving with their tails and ears dyed in vibrant hues, along with nails adorned in bright colours, while bedecked in designer clothing.
Dr. Anna Foreman from Everypaw Pet Insurance, as reported by The Sun, spoke out against this trend, “There is no situation – apart from when dyeing a dog’s tail to discourage theft – where dyeing a pet’s fur is benefiting the animal themselves.”
“It is purely benefiting us for aesthetic purposes. Some dogs enjoy being groomed or being bathed; however, there is no way we can say that animals specifically enjoy being dyed,” she said, adding that that the only acceptable reason for dyeing an animal is to dye its tail a bright colour to prevent theft.
As the demand continues to surge, grooming salons and others are jumping on the trend, providing personalised services to pet owners. Videos showcasing these transformations are gaining momentum on social media. While some pet experts suggest that the trend can be safely pursued with the right products, others caution that it carries potential risks.
“I think its utter nonsense, these pets are unwilling participants in the actions of their owners. These trends, though they seem harmless can go too far. Prolonged use of these dyes can have a negative effect on the health of the pet’s fur, not to mention the discomfort the pet must feel during the dyeing process which can take hours. and as this is an unregulated segment some products could also cause skin irritation or other forms of allergic reactions to the pets,” said Karan Kapoor, Dubai resident and long-time pet owner.
Viral pet makeovers on TikTok
Gabriel Feitosa has carved out a career catering to the demand for such services, amassing a staggering following of over 1.2 million on Instagram and 2.5 million on TikTok. As an internationally acclaimed dog groomer, he garners millions of views on his social media platforms by utilising pet-friendly dye to transform pets into various playful characters.
The trend has surged in popularity on TikTok, with numerous pet owners globally transforming their furry friends into movie characters, different animals, and even food items. In his videos, dogs undergo remarkable metamorphoses, transforming into tigers, foxes, watermelons, Pokémon characters, and a myriad of other imaginative creations.
Feitosa dubs the service “Creative Grooming,” with prices starting at a hefty $500 for small dogs and escalating to exorbitant sums based on factors such as the dog’s size, the intricacy of the design, fur colour, and additional considerations.
In most cases, Feitosa’s team will perform the service. However, for the clients who want the grooming from Feitosa itself, a premium will be added onto the price tag.
While pet dyeing for aesthetics might be trending on TikTok, it’s not without controversy. Critics argue that it can be stressful for the animals and potentially harmful if not done correctly. It’s crucial that any dyes used are pet-safe and that the process is carried out by professionals to ensure the wellbeing of the pets.
Emily Dempsey, a veterinary technician via a blog post said, “Always prioritise your dog’s safety, health, and preferences above all else. Dyeing should be a rare and occasional treat rather than a regular practice. Remember that your dog’s well-being and happiness are paramount.”
She warns against several disadvantages of the process including skin sensitivity, stress and anxiety, ingestion risk and other long-term effects.
“Not all dogs enjoy the dyeing process. Some may find it stressful and uncomfortable, leading to potential anxiety or behavioral issues,” she explained.
Feitosa’s creations
The rise of pet aesthetics on TikTok has opened up new opportunities for pet brands. With the emerging trend of ‘pet humanisation’, pet owners are increasingly viewing their pets as integral members of the family and are willing to spend more on their pets.
“Being a dog owner for 12 years with three dogs, I have seen this slowly becoming a trend in the last few years. Personally, I believe this is very wrong for animals like cats and dogs, especially since these creatures, depending on the breed, have sensitive skin and are prone to rashes easily. Owners do not take this into account as animal fur functions to blocks these and are not easily visible to them. What concerns me the most is local groomers do this as well; the same groomers who say they care a lot for their customers’ pets,” said Rishab Narayanan, long-time UAE resident and pet-owner.
“From what I have seen, it’s usually the people who like to flaunt their pets around who do this regularly. Aesthetics wise; these look worse than good to me. Does anyone like a pink golden retriever compared to a natural golden? If so, my answer points back to the same thing; nothing more than flaunting. People who really care about their pets’ health completely refrain from this and the stats prove it,” he sternly added.
According to a data from Pet World Arabia, the pet care industry in the UAE is worth a staggering $300 million and up. The sector is further estimated to reach $2 billionn by 2025.
Luxury pet clothing, accessories
Acknowledging this niche market, numerous luxury brands such as Versace, Prada, Burberry, and others have developed entire product lines exclusively for pets, offering items like clothing, dog beds, and leashes. Despite the hefty price tags, demand for these products remains strong.
Dr. Beth Turner, veterinarian and author for preventative vet said, “While it may be OK to do this with some cats or dogs (who have the right disposition) and with certain products – colouring your pet’s fur or making them wear a costume isn’t always the best idea.”
Although the concept of ‘pet humanisation’ is widely adopted across several households, there still remains a vast industry for pet aesthetics including pet fairs, dog shows and more, wherein several animals are put through competitions to be judged based on several criteria.
“The act of pet dyeing completely intersects with animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. This implies a need for pet owners to consider the well-being and comfort of their pets when engaging in activities that involve any sort of animal physically and psychologically, highlighting the potential risks and concerns associated with these practices such as irritation, injury and distress,” said Yash Tannir, Dubai resident and pet-owner.
“I believe that such practices should be banned due to the uncertainty of their effects on pets and the discomfort that they go through,” he added.
With the pet industry continuing to grow at an unprecedented rate, the demand for items supporting these aspects including pet-safe dye, designer clothing and more is expected to stay. Experts suggest that those indulging in these activities do so with caution to avoid causing potential harm to these animals.
“Done right, costumes can be a fun time, and they can make for some adorable pictures. Done wrong, though, they can result in a multitude of problems,” Turner concluded.
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