Tattoo and piercings on dogs

[binka_nugget]

:( I really hope these are just altered pictures but I doubt the first one is fake.. :(

Tattoo:
http://www.bmezine.com/pierce/11-surface/A40512/high/tattoobyhikmet2.jpg

Ear piercings:
http://www.bmezine.com/pierce/11-surface/A40123/high/spider-bite.jpg
http://www.bmezine.com/pierce/11-surface/A40123/high/spider-bite2.jpg

Ugh.. this is so upsetting.. :( I don't know how anyone could do this to a dog.

[GraciesMommy]

That is sickening! I have tattoos and I would never put a dog or any other animal thru such a thing

[Tonya]

I've seen a pit with it's ears pierced before. I'd put it in the same category as docking tails (for cosmetic reasons) or clipping ears. It isn't something that I would do, but I don't think it's any crueler then that. In fact the piercing is probably nicer then clipping the ears.

*edit* I was just thinking, maybe piercing isn't more humane then clipping ears. You'd have to have a very calm and only dog for that to stay safe. If Dusty or Roxy's ears were pierced, they'd rip them out of eachother playing within minutes.

[LKPike]

Originally posted by Tonya
I've seen a pit with it's ears pierced before. I'd put it in the same category as docking tails (for cosmetic reasons) or clipping ears. It isn't something that I would do, but I don't think it's any crueler then that. In fact the piercing is probably nicer then clipping the ears.


I've always thought the same. Its actually kinda common for people to tattoo their dogs, for identification in case they got lost. A vet does it and the dogs are sleeping during it, just like any other surgical type thing. While I dont agree with actual designs and things tattooed on a dog, maybe the owner wanted something bigger and more unique in case the dog gets lost/found and he needs to describe it. I also agree that piercing is the same as docking and clipping, I don't think its responsible though cause dogs play rough but if I ever find some of those comfortable fit fake piercing rings I might put 'em on my puppers on special days :)

[Jods]

is the first dog alive???

[CathyBogart]

There's a Bostom terrier with pierced ears that comes into my work. I don't think it's any crueler than cropping them. (then again, the Boston's are done in such a way that it would be extremely hard for him to tear them out during play.)

[LKPike]

who do you think does the piercings?? vets do the tattoo I know that, I've seen it on animal planet and in articles before. But do you think theres actually piercing places out there who would do it? or you think its another vet thing?? :confused: :confused: :confused: I thought it was illegal to allow pets in piercing places...

[guster girl]

Originally posted by Jods
is the first dog alive???

It looks like he's just under anesthesia, for the tatoo process, i'm assuming. i think it's gross looking. would the fur not grow back over it? i think the earrings are ok looking. i wonder if they anesthetize the pet during that process.

[LKPike]

Fur will grow back just like tattoo on human, like on the leg it has to be shaved to be done but hair will still grow over it (*shiver* I had to go nearly 3 weeks without shaving my ankle after I got my first one done! and I'm hair phobic too!) but anyway, I've never understood why tattoo an animal thats gonna grow hair over it unless they keep it shaved. I think for id purposes the chip is thousand times better! (or a friggin dog collar? :p everythings gotta be extreme these days)

[carole]

I surely don't approve of piercing your animals, how bizarre, but then I don't approve of young babies and children having them either, and yes we have done that thread before, but to me it is just the same.

If you tattoo the animal for identification purposes or cats get their ears done to prevent cancer (white cats especially) then as long as it is done properly and humanely I am ok with it.

The only reason a dog owner would do it, is because they like the look of it and consider it cool, not a good reason IMO.

[dogs_4_me]

Disgusting :( Poor dog.

[sammy101]

the links arent working for me so ill have to try again later:(

[catnapper]

Thats just sad they would even consider doing that. When I was researching options of protecting Pouncer from getting lost (He refuses to wear a collar and nobody around here even thinks about microchips --- I polled a ton of my kids' friends and family and NONE of them would check for a microchip if they found a wandering pet) and the one option that people kept telling me about was tattooing his ear for ID, and I was appalled. I think tattoos are hideous as a general rule (another thread entirely) and unforgivable on a pet.

[dogs_4_me]

Originally posted by catnapper
Thats just sad they would even consider doing that. When I was researching options of protecting Pouncer from getting lost (He refuses to wear a collar and nobody around here even thinks about microchips --- I polled a ton of my kids' friends and family and NONE of them would check for a microchip if they found a wandering pet) and the one option that people kept telling me about was tattooing his ear for ID, and I was appalled. I think tattoos are hideous as a general rule (another thread entirely) and unforgivable on a pet.


We have tatoos for Emma and Moco. I know that most people would not check for a microchip, so if a tatoo is what will save them if they get lost then I dont regrett getting them. Especially for Moco, if he got out I know he wouldn't find his way home.

[catnapper]

I did not mean to make it sound as if ID tattoos were wrong - I just couldn't do it myself. I thing they are good for that purpose, I just can't see myself everdoing it. Sorry if I insulted you for a moment. :o

[dogs_4_me]

Originally posted by catnapper
I did not mean to make it sound as if ID tattoos were wrong - I just couldn't do it myself. I thing they are good for that purpose, I just can't see myself everdoing it. Sorry if I insulted you for a moment. :o


No, I understand that you would think that. If there were another reliable option (besides microchip) then I would never think of it. Moco has ran off a couple times, and each time he got returned thanks to the tattoo, if that what saves him from been lost then I'm all for it!

[micki76]

The tattoo is just weird for any reason other than identification, IMO.

About the ear piercing. When Millie poked a hole in here ear on the rose bush it bled, and bled, and bled. We had to put super glue on a piece of cotton and glue that to the hole then bandage her head and make her wear a cone. (This was done per the VET) He said that the only thing that bleeds more profusely on a dog than the ears, is the tongue. Now, Millie never acted like her ear hurt or was sore, but she bled a HUGE amount. I can't imagine putting my dog through all that. It's different than piercing an infant or child ears to me, in that humans generally don't bleed as much as dogs.

I imagine that one good scratch on the ear, and those earrings are going to be ripped out. Then there will just be more bleeding. :(

[Tonya]

My dogs are microchipped. I can't imagine people noticing a tattoo under fur any easier then a microchip. BUT if there were no such things as collars or microchips and a tattoo was my only option, I would make it decorative while I was at it. I'd figure if my pet was going to have to have an identifying tattoo, it'd better be pretty. But just a design would be pointless. It'd be the pet's information in pretty letters or something.

[jazzzytina]

I just had Nilla and Sasha spayed at a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, and they tattooed rather large "S" on their chest. I wasn't crazy about that, but I guess the hair will grow over it. I'll have to post a pic. when I can get one. My husband has a number of tattoos and several ear piercings, but we would both be vehemently opposed to tatooing or piercing pets unless it is for safety or health reasons. It's just unnecessary to cosmetically alter your animals like that, and unnatural, too.