A dog who loves the pool so much that it has actually started showing on her fur has melted hearts online.
Texa the pit bull-type dog has gained over 1.7 million views on TikTok for her unexpected summer glow: green fur. “My baby girl lives for the summer time,” wrote Texa’s owner, @torilayna, in the caption, showing the water-loving pup lounging poolside with a distinct green tint.
While some viewers initially thought it was a filter or lighting trick, a zoomed-out shot revealed the truth: Texa’s white fur had taken on a noticeable green hue. The reason? She had been spending all day long in their saltwater pool in Jersey Shore.
The Science Behind the Color
The most-likely cause of Texa’s new green fur is oxidized copper in the pool water. Copper sulfate is often used as an algicide to keep pools clean. However, when copper levels are too high and the water isn’t properly balanced, the metal can oxidize and bind to light-colored fur—resulting in a greenish tint.
It is the same reason people with blonde hair sometimes leave the pool with a greenish tint as the copper reacts with the color.
Even fellow blonde viewer Kellie pointed out: “Hahaha you can actually just use purple shampoo on her—a fellow blondie I understand her pain.”
Purple shampoo is commonly used in beauty circles to neutralize yellow or brassy tones in light-colored hair. Because purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, that kind of shampoo cancels out unwanted yellow or brassy tones. Companies have even developed specific dog-safe purple shampoos to help brighten white coats in pets.
As the video of Texa’s unusual new fur color gained more attention, people shared reactions to the video.
“My boy had white fur and we used a purple pet shampoo on him,” said viewer Bubblegum Raindrop.
Hannah could empathize with the pup and said: “Honestly, if I lived in a house with a pool, I would be the same way.”
Jonesing for Crafts wrote: “I didn’t even think it was too bad until you zoomed out and I was like ‘Oh that is GREEN.'”
@torilayna/TikTok
This isn’t the first time a pup has turned a different color and baffled internet users. Last year, a dog owner shared how their white golden retriever turned green after rolling in grass, leaving him being compared to the Dr. Seuss character the Grinch.
Named “Shamrock,” a Florida puppy was stained with biliverdin from the placenta when she was born; while the green eventually faded, the special color captured viral attention.
Newsweek reached out to @torilayna via TikTok for comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.