Stop the Paint: Why Artificially Colouring Animals Is Cruel, Not Cute

At Animal SAYS, our mission is to give animals the respect, dignity, and compassion they deserve. Recently, one of our dedicated members, Louie, raised an important concern that we cannot ignore any longer—the growing trend of artificially colouring dogs and cats to make them look like other animals.

From tigers to pandas, people have been dyeing their pets with bright and unnatural colours, often in an attempt to go viral online. What may seem “cute” on the surface hides a deeply disturbing truth: this is animal cruelty, disguised as entertainment.

This Is Not Harmless Fun

Dyeing a pet’s fur involves using chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, skin irritations, and even long-term health complications. These animals do not consent to being treated like canvases for human amusement. They trust us to protect them—not to exploit them for attention.

The Psychological Toll

Beyond the physical impact, being forced into unfamiliar appearances and put in uncomfortable situations can cause stress, anxiety, and behavioural issues in animals. Many pets rely on their own scent and fur to identify themselves and others—imagine the disorientation they face when this is stripped away.

Let Animals Be Animals

Dogs and cats are beautiful exactly as they are. Altering their natural appearance to mimic other creatures sends the wrong message—that animals exist for our aesthetic pleasure, not as sentient beings with their own needs and identities.

A Call to Action

We at Animal SAYS strongly condemn this practice and urge pet parents, grooming salons, and social media influencers to stop promoting and participating in these trends. Animals are not toys, props, or canvases. They are companions, family members, and lives worthy of respect.

If you truly love your pet, show it in ways that nurture and uplift them—through play, proper care, kindness, and by advocating for their well-being.

Thank you, Louie, for shining a light on this issue. Let us continue to be a voice for the voiceless.

—Team Animal SAYS