Pika-Pom: “Pikachu” pet hair dye trends on TikTok

PIKACHU, I choose you! 

Are you a fan of the Japanese animated series “Pokemon”? Or have you ever dreamed of having a real-life Pokemon? 

A video of a dog that was dyed to look like the popular Pokemon character Pikachu has gone viral and gained various reactions from netizens. 

The TikTok video posted by Mr. Dapitan’s Fur-a-Holic, a pet shop and veterinary clinic, featured a Pomeranian that turned into Pikachu. As of writing, the video has 14 million views, 776,000 reactions, 5,883 comments, and 53,100 shares.

@mrdapitansfuraholic Want to be the best Pokemon? Now you can at Mr. Dapitan’s Fur-a-holic Petshop by availing our Pet Fashion Color Grooming! 10% off this month of February!!! ❤️💛💚💜💙🧡 Turn your pomeranian into a fantastic Pikachu! 🐶💛 We use pet safe dye only! Color lasts around 8-12 washes. PM us for inquiries! 🥰💕🐾 📍1769-B Dapitan St., Brgy. 487, Sampaloc, Manila. #mrdapitan #mrdapitansfuraholic #petgrooming #fashiongrooming #fashioncolorgrooming #petshop #doggrooming #sampalocmanila #pikachu #pokemon #bichon #dogsph #pomeranianph #grooming #dogcolorgrooming #creativegrooming ♬ original sound – Angelic Layer

It is not the first time that a pet went viral because of its dyed fur. Some pet owners have been looking for creative ways to express their pet’s personality, and one method is by dyeing their furry friend’s hair, also known as color grooming.

From pastel pink Poodles to rainbow-hued Huskies and a tiger Maltese, these pet hair-dye videos have been circulating on TikTok and other social media platforms.

Netizens react

While many comments were from people asking about the color grooming fee and the services of the pet shop that posted the viral video, others also showed their appreciation for the Pikachu-looking dog. 

A TikTok user with the handle @mrs.rollins15 expressed her appreciation, saying, ‘’Ang cute!  I’m a Pikachu lover here !”

Meanwhile, a TikTok user hilariously said: “Biglang nag thunderbolt yung aso!” referring to a power of the animated character Pikachu. Other TikTok users dubbed the dog “Puppachu.”

While some perceived it as harmless fun and a form of self-expression, others raised concerns about potential risks and ethical considerations.

A TikTok user with the handle @asdfghjkl24566 said: ”Please wag nyo gawin sa mga puppy nyo 🙁 kawawa sila. Makakaapekto sa fur nila yan.” 

Is it safe to dye your dog’s fur?

In an interview with News5, Mr. Dapitan’s Fur-a-Holic said that they followed protocols to make sure that their pet color-grooming services were safe. 

Tiffany Kang, the pet shop’s manager, said, “If meron silang sakit hindin namin [i-go-go] go, pati if for example aggressive yung aso hindi namin apply ang color. We have a veterinarian on standby naman for any emergencies.”

An animal advocate, however, pointed out that “the animal has no voice, so ultimately the human made the choices. They can go through some sort of trauma and sometimes yung stress factor lumalabas.”

Photo Courtesy: Mr. Dapitan’s Fur-a-Holic Petshop and Veterinary Clinic | Facebook

Dr. Manny Victoria, a veterinarian, also warned against using hair dye for humans because these contain “toxic substances for pets.”

He said that color grooming is safe if pet dye products are used, if it is executed by a professional, and if it is done only twice a year as it may cause side effects. 

The practice of dog hair dye or color grooming elicited diverse reactions from netizens, from enthusiastic appreciation to ethical concerns. However, as with any trend involving animals, it’s essential to prioritize the well-being of our furry friends above all else.

With reports from Naomi Ferwelo