Would You Pierce Your Dog's Ears?
For many years people have pierced their own ears and adorned them with sparkling jewels and beads in a variety of materials. Then along came the loyal dog.
First it was a colorful dress or coat for the dog to wear, then it was diamond encrusted collars and tiaras.
Now it seems that the more 'bling' the better and dogs of all ages and sizes are sporting shiny earrings!
Boutique pet stores are rising to the demand, such as Critter Company, a pet boutique in Bossier City, Louisiana. Since 1994 the Critter Company has been well-known for its pioneering efforts in pet care and so it was just natural that the store offered ear piercings for dogs. The cost is $25 including a pair of earrings.
"It's something we thought that pet owners might like," said Angela Welch, an assistant store manager at Critter Company.
Lisa Thorne, another assistant manager, stated that:
"We had one lady come in who had a pit bull puppy and she wanted a piercing done in only one ear because it was a boy dog. She wanted some bling for that dog."
The Critter Company has had quite a few doggie clients who have come in specifically to have their ears pierced.
"We've gotten a lot of dogs so far," said Lisa Thorne.
Although, Lisa does admit that most of those dogs are of the smaller breeds.
"They're mostly Yorkies and Chihuahuas," she said
However, does piercing a dog's ear cause them any pain?
Apparently not, though the groomers who do the piercings at Critter Company do use a numbing cream first and according to Lisa: "The dogs don't even whimper."
Ear piercings are better suited for smaller, indoor dogs rather than bigger, more boisterous dogs.
"It's not feasible for outside dogs who are scratching their ears all the time," explained Lisa.
But is it ethical to pierce a dog's ears?
Young babies have their ears pierced by their parents. Since the babies are unable to talk yet, they are not able to give their consent to having their own ears pierced. It is the same with puppies and dogs too.
Ear piercing, whether it is your own ears, your baby's ears or your dog's ears, is deemed to be a cosmetic procedure.
Similar to having your dog's nails painted, ear piercings for dogs is more about 'keeping up with Jones'. Current styles and trends in human fashion accessories reflect greatly on pet fashion accessories too.
In a recent poll at PetPlace.com in which pet lovers were asked if pet owners should be allowed to pierce their dog's ears, 96% of the 800 votes received, stated "No, that is crazy." A mere 3% voted “Yes - why not?”, whilst 2% were unsure.
If the idea of adding some bling to your dog's ears is something that you would go for, there is another option besides having your dogs ears pierced. A company called Bow Wow Bling sells the Earring Bling, earrings specifically designed with dogs in mind and made from Swarovski Crystallized Elements. The best part about these doggie earrings is that you will not have to pierce your dog's ears in order for him or her to wear them. This is because they are glued onto your dog’s ear with a pet-safe, non-toxic glue, aptly called 'Bling It On!'
The glue dries quickly and is quite easy to remove using a few drops of baby oil, or you can leave them to fall off on their own in about three weeks. The Earring Bling earrings are reusable and come in a pack of 4 different colors, Red, Purple, Pink and Diamond.
Dogs with earrings, whether pierced or glued on, will certainly be the center of attention at all of your holiday parties!
Before opting for piercing your dog's ears, talk to your veterinarian first.
Photo Credit: tanakawho
First it was a colorful dress or coat for the dog to wear, then it was diamond encrusted collars and tiaras.
Now it seems that the more 'bling' the better and dogs of all ages and sizes are sporting shiny earrings!
Boutique pet stores are rising to the demand, such as Critter Company, a pet boutique in Bossier City, Louisiana. Since 1994 the Critter Company has been well-known for its pioneering efforts in pet care and so it was just natural that the store offered ear piercings for dogs. The cost is $25 including a pair of earrings.
"It's something we thought that pet owners might like," said Angela Welch, an assistant store manager at Critter Company.
Lisa Thorne, another assistant manager, stated that:
"We had one lady come in who had a pit bull puppy and she wanted a piercing done in only one ear because it was a boy dog. She wanted some bling for that dog."
The Critter Company has had quite a few doggie clients who have come in specifically to have their ears pierced.
"We've gotten a lot of dogs so far," said Lisa Thorne.
Although, Lisa does admit that most of those dogs are of the smaller breeds.
"They're mostly Yorkies and Chihuahuas," she said
However, does piercing a dog's ear cause them any pain?
Apparently not, though the groomers who do the piercings at Critter Company do use a numbing cream first and according to Lisa: "The dogs don't even whimper."
Ear piercings are better suited for smaller, indoor dogs rather than bigger, more boisterous dogs.
"It's not feasible for outside dogs who are scratching their ears all the time," explained Lisa.
But is it ethical to pierce a dog's ears?
Young babies have their ears pierced by their parents. Since the babies are unable to talk yet, they are not able to give their consent to having their own ears pierced. It is the same with puppies and dogs too.
Ear piercing, whether it is your own ears, your baby's ears or your dog's ears, is deemed to be a cosmetic procedure.
Similar to having your dog's nails painted, ear piercings for dogs is more about 'keeping up with Jones'. Current styles and trends in human fashion accessories reflect greatly on pet fashion accessories too.
In a recent poll at PetPlace.com in which pet lovers were asked if pet owners should be allowed to pierce their dog's ears, 96% of the 800 votes received, stated "No, that is crazy." A mere 3% voted “Yes - why not?”, whilst 2% were unsure.
If the idea of adding some bling to your dog's ears is something that you would go for, there is another option besides having your dogs ears pierced. A company called Bow Wow Bling sells the Earring Bling, earrings specifically designed with dogs in mind and made from Swarovski Crystallized Elements. The best part about these doggie earrings is that you will not have to pierce your dog's ears in order for him or her to wear them. This is because they are glued onto your dog’s ear with a pet-safe, non-toxic glue, aptly called 'Bling It On!'
The glue dries quickly and is quite easy to remove using a few drops of baby oil, or you can leave them to fall off on their own in about three weeks. The Earring Bling earrings are reusable and come in a pack of 4 different colors, Red, Purple, Pink and Diamond.
Dogs with earrings, whether pierced or glued on, will certainly be the center of attention at all of your holiday parties!
Before opting for piercing your dog's ears, talk to your veterinarian first.
Photo Credit: tanakawho
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