How to Dye the Hair of a Poodle

Poodles are naturally white or black dogs, but some poodle owners are getting creative and dying their dogs' hair all colors of the rainbow. Poodles with black fur cannot get in on the action, but for owners of white poodles, simple kitchen supplies can transform the look of your dog. There are several methods you can follow to dye your dog's coat, but you do not want to use any commercially available hair dyes because they contain alcohol that could burn a dog's skin.

Things You'll Need

  • Food coloring in desired color
  • Easter egg dying kit
  • 4-packages flavored drink mix in desired color
  • Small bowl
  • Newspaper
  • Rubber gloves or plastic disposable gloves
  • Paint brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose the product you want to use. Easter egg dyeing kits, powdered drink mixes, and liquid food coloring are good choices for poodle hair dye. You may already have some of these products in your home. If not, they can easily be purchased for this project.

      .

    • 2

      Prepare your dye. If you are using an Easter egg dying kit, place the color tablet in a bowl, and add the recommended amount of water. Do not add any vinegar, even if the instructions call for it.

      For powdered drink mixes, you will need four packages. Mix several packets of the powder in a bowl with half the amount of water you would use if preparing the mixture for drinking. If the color is not what you want, add more mix.

      Food coloring is prepared by mixing the liquid coloring with water until you have produced the desired shade.

    • 3

      Place your dog on a surface covered with newspaper to protect from any drips. Put on plastic, disposable gloves or rubber gloves to protect your hands from the dye.

    • 4

      Brush a small amount of dye on a small patch of your dog's hair. Allow it to dry, and check for any reaction your dog's skin might have to the product. Check the shade and make sure it is what you want.

      If the dog's skin does not react and the color is correct, move on to the next step. If your dog has a reaction, you can try a different product. However, give your dog's skin a day or two to recover before trying again.

      If you would like a different shade, adjust the dye. Add more water if you want a lighter shade, or add more colored product if you want a darker tone.

    • 5

      Paint the dye on the dog's fur with the paint brush. You can also pour the dye over the dog. Work in small areas, massaging the dye into the fur. Once you have covered the entire animal, allow the fur to dry completely before letting your dog down.