How to Paint a Tattoo on Your Pet

Whether you're walking with your dog on a charity stroll or simply having fun on the weekend, a temporary dog tattoo is sure to garner some attention. Promote a cause or cause some smiles by stenciling words or shapes on a short-haired companion. You can decorate your pet with neon colors or go with a basic black and white design. The stencil designs are perfectly safe for your canine friend, no matter how much it may try to lick it off, and they will naturally wear off in a day or two.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper plate
  • Gel food coloring
  • Paper stencil
  • Stencil pounce
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Instructions

    • 1

      Assemble the equipment ahead of time. Your actual work time will depend on your dog's patience, so plan to work quickly in case it loses interest. Squirt out a blob of food coloring onto a paper plate. Mix two colors together if you want a different shade.

    • 2

      Feed your dog, have a friend pet its ears or do whatever gets it into a calm mood. The dog needs to be lying down flat without moving to complete this project.

    • 3

      Hold the stencil sheet against the dog's body where you want the tattoo to show. Pick a conspicuous place like the flank or above the tail.

    • 4

      Load the stencil pounce with food coloring gel by touching the pounce to the gel. Tap the pounce sponge against the paper plate to remove any excess gel, leaving a thin layer on the surface of the sponge.

    • 5

      Fill in the stencil outline by tapping the pounce sponge onto the opening over and over again. This will transfer a small amount of food coloring onto your dog's coat every time you tap. Continue pouncing in the stencil until the opening is completely filled.

    • 6

      Hold your dog down by petting it and talking with it. Keep it calm until the food coloring has dried. The drying rate will vary but is usually about 10 minutes.