Peircing/tattooing your pet cruel?

[Jessika]

If they are being pierced or tattooed for any purpose other than identification or for some health reason... then I do not agree with it.

However, I have heard of tattooing used as a form of ID -- they will get an ID number tattooed on the inside of their ear (I believe) and it's used the same as a microchip. Obviously that isn't a popular method and I would much prefer a microchip

[Catty1]

Both my boys were tattooed while asleep for their neutering.

I found this about microchips:

What is Microchipping?

"Microchips" are small computer chips about the size of a rice grain. A veterinarian injects the chip under your cat's skin. Most cats tolerate this minor procedure with no problem.

The chip contains your cat's identifying information and can be read by a special scanner. If your cat gets lost and is taken to an animal shelter, most shelters can scan the information on the chip, identify your cat, and get her home to you.

Having your cat microchipped is a good way to help her get home if she ever becomes lost.

The article goes on to say to add a collar and ID tag.

As for tattooing and piercing pets for 'fashion' reasons, no. I can't see your post right now so I don't recall if your friend was joking - but if he wasn't, his ego is bigger than his heart. ("Hey, look at my pet!!! See what I had done! Isn't it COOL?" That's all about the owner, not the pet. JMO)

[Giselle]

If I'm not mistaken, dog ear tattoos are completely different from human tattoos. If I remember correctly, a special tool is pressed into the ears, creating tiny holes. A colored dye is then rubbed into the ears, staining the holes.

It's not like a human tattoo - which requires a needle repeatedly injecting color underneath the skin. Totally different. Non-comparable. Dogs should never get pierced or tattoo'd for purely cosmetic purposes.

[BC_MoM]

If I'm not mistaken, dog ear tattoos are completely different from human tattoos. If I remember correctly, a special tool is pressed into the ears, creating tiny holes. A colored dye is then rubbed into the ears, staining the holes.

It's not like a human tattoo - which requires a needle repeatedly injecting color underneath the skin. Totally different. Non-comparable. Dogs should never get pierced or tattoo'd for purely cosmetic purposes.

Well said. And anyone who agrees with it or sees nothing wrong with it needs a swift kick in the arse.

[moosmom]

Tatooing a phone number/id number which may save your pet's life is one thing. As is microchipping.

However, tatooing or piercing for "cosmetic" reasons is, beyond a doubt, terribly cruel, IMO.

WHY would anyone ever even consider that??

Ditto!!

[Freedom]

Dog tattooing for ID was common -- BEFORE microchipping was developed. (OK, back in the dinnosaur age). Very few vets do it anymore, the microchip is more reliable. My friend's first Akita was tattooed. She lived 13 year, he had no dog for 2 years, then got his second Akita in May. He was talking about getting her tattooed, and I told him that was 'old school.' Sure enugh, when he took her to the vet for the spay, the vet explained he doesn't tatoo anymore, it is all microchipping.

I think it would be horrible to tattoo or pierce pet, especially for fashion. what, wre you going to have the tattoo removed when you don't like it anymore? (Some people do, so why not?) People know the pain they are facing having something "elective" done. Pets do not. If people are doing this, then I think someone should pass a law prohibiting it.

[Medusa]

Stupid humans never cease to amaze me. They're always trying to turn their pets into people. Tattoos as a fashion statement? Are you kidding me? Animals are not accessories! If it's done for ID purposes, maybe. But piercings? C'mon! Is there any balance in the world any more? Are people's lives so pathetic that they have to resort to stuff like this? What animals need besides the basics for survival are love, compassion and good vet care. How about a big dose of that? Fashionable clothes and tattoos and piercings...that's stuff for humans!!!!

[BC_MoM]

Dog tattooing for ID was common -- BEFORE microchipping was developed. (OK, back in the dinnosaur age). Very few vets do it anymore, the microchip is more reliable.

I'm not sure where you live... but in Canada that is certainly not true. Every dog , when spayed or neutered, is tattooed.