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Your pup likely loves the summer months just as much as you do. Summer often means more outside time, warm temperatures, and sunshine. It can also mean sunburn. Yes, dogs can get sunburn even though their bodies are covered in fur. To make things worse, these sunburns can contribute to not only pain and discomfort, but also increase a dog’s risk for some types of skin cancer. Just like people, some dogs are more at risk of getting a sunburn than others, however, they all need protection from the sun. Here’s your guide to helping make your dog’s sunshine intake a little less risky and a little more healthy.
Can Dogs Get Sunburn?
You know that protecting yourself from the sun involves covering up. It’s the ‘slip’ part in the catchy Australian “Slip, Slop, Slap” campaign for safe sun exposure. Fortunately, your dog’s body is covered up fairly well by their haircoat. However, I have yet to meet a dog with full fur coverage on their nose and groin area. Without that protective hair, the delicate skin underneath is vulnerable to sunburn, just like your bare nose is without sunscreen.
There are pups that have thinner and shorter haircoats than others, which can also increase their risk of sun exposure and sunburn. So, what’s the big deal? Sunburns are painful, yes, and you want your dog to experience the least amount of pain possible. But the real problem with sun exposure is the increased risk for developing certain skin cancers.
If your pup is out enjoying some sunshine, be sure to understand the risks involved, especially if your dog is sparsely haired. This includes breeds such as Boxers, Chihuahuas, Pitbulls, and of course the hairless Chinese Crested. Even pups with thick and luxurious locks will need sun protection on their exposed areas to prevent sunburn.
Think your dog has a sunburn? Look for the typical signs that you experience when you’ve had too much sun—hair loss, redness, swelling, blistering and peeling of the skin are all associated with sunburn in dogs. They often take on the look of a dog hot spot.
Do Dogs Need Sunscreen?
Over the past couple of decades, sunscreen has become so much a part of our outdoor routine that most of us don’t even think twice about slathering it on. Numerous studies have shown sunscreen’s success in preventing some types of skin cancers in humans.
It’s time that we all think of dog sunscreen in the same way. While we don’t expect you to try to work sunblock for dogs into the double haircoat of a Husky, it’s definitely something you want to apply to every dog’s nose, belly, and other lightly haired areas before venturing out of doors.
Sunscreen for dogs will help prevent those bad sun rays from damaging your dog’s tender skin and causing a sunburn or worse. While it might seem easy to just slop some of your own sunscreen across your dog’s nose on your way out the door, using a dog-specific product is actually the safer way to go.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen for Dogs
The human sunscreen aisle in most stores is filled with numerous types and formulas. Choosing which one is right for you may depend on personal preference or sensitivity issues for your skin. It can also depend on the ingredients that are used to build that protective barrier against the sun’s harmful rays.
This is where human sunscreen differs from dog sunscreen. Human sunscreens can contain ingredients that are toxic when ingested. This is something we rarely worry about as humans, but that is a common issue in the dog world. Zinc oxide and para-aminobenzoic acid are a couple of the more common culprits that can be harmful if your pup happens to immediately lick the human sunscreen from their skin.
Dog sunscreen made specifically for them is less likely to contain toxic chemicals as well as fragrances and dyes that could be irritating to the skin. Waterproofing is a must as well and go for something SPF 30 or higher.
You can find many dog-safe sunscreens in pet stores or online. If you’re in a pinch, human sunscreen can work, just make sure there are no ingestion warnings on the label as this likely means there’s something in there that shouldn’t be consumed.
How to Apply Sunscreen on Dogs
With your dog sunscreen in hand, you can follow the same general guidelines that you do for humans. If this is a new dog sunscreen product, apply a small amount on a day you’re not spending a lot of time outside to make sure your dog doesn’t have an allergic reaction to it. If redness or irritation develops, consider using a different product.
Liberally apply dog sunblock to exposed areas 15 minutes before going outside. The most common places for dogs to get sunburned are the nose, tips of the ears, the skin around the lips and the belly if they enjoy basking on their back in the sun.
Dogs with light skin or hair may need some additional sunscreen applied to their full ears, forehead and muzzle as well. Reapply every 60-90 minutes, especially if you have a water pup, and try to keep your dog from licking the area until the sunscreen has a chance to fully absorb.
Protective Clothing and Accessories for Dogs
Let’s revisit the “Slip, Slop, Slap” campaign, as protecting your dog from the sun is multi-fold. If your dog has lighter hair or a thin hair coat, consider protecting their body from the sun by ‘slipping’ on a sun shirt or cooling vest. These types of clothing are lightweight and breathable but will help block harmful sun rays.
‘Slop’ on some dog sunscreen to the nose, ears and muzzle. Apply to the belly as well if you’re spending a lot of time or planning more than just a walk around the block.
‘Slap’ on a dog sun hat and goggles to further protect the sensitive skin of the face and to shade the eyes. It’s just a bonus that this look is utterly adorable.
Additional Tips for Sun Protection
Protecting your dog from the sun and heat doesn’t end with dog sunscreen, sun hats, and sun shirts. You’ll also want to time your outdoor excursions to avoid peak sun hours. This means try to walk and play with your pup before 10am and after 4pm. Not only will this help avoid the sun at its highest points but will also help avoid higher temperatures that can make being outdoors dangerous to your dog’s health. For example, pad blisters on dog paws happen when it gets too hot outside and surfaces like pavement and asphalt scald your dog’s feet.
You’ll also need to provide shade and plenty of fresh water to help keep your pets cool. If your dog can’t be inside during the heat and peak sun hours, make sure they have adequate shade and a constant water supply. Besides sunburn, too much sun and heat can lead to serious issues such as heat stroke that are not only dangerous but that can be very expensive to treat.
When Sunscreen for Dogs Isn’t Enough
While sunscreen is an essential tool for protecting your dog’s delicate skin, it’s not a foolproof solution. Excessive sun exposure can lead to a variety of health problems for dogs, including sunburn, skin cancer, eye damage, and heatstroke. If your dog develops any of these conditions, the cost of veterinary care can be significant. Treatments often include medication or topical treatments, but may even require surgery and hospitalization.
Pet insurance for dogs can help offset the cost of these treatments, providing peace of mind and financial security for pet owners. By investing in a comprehensive pet insurance plan, you can ensure that your furry friend receives the best possible care, without having to stress about the cost.
Don’t Let Your Dog Get Sunburned
Sun exposure and sunburns are very real issues for dogs that we often don’t think about. Even though most dogs have a hairy barrier of armor, using dog sunscreen and other forms of sun protection are a must for every canine. Not only will dog sunscreen help prevent the pain of a sunburn, it will also give you peace of mind that you are doing everything in your power to ensure your pup’s health and happiness. So get out there and enjoy the sunshine together!