Do dogs need sunscreen?

Just like humans, dogs can get sunburnt. Those with short white fur, thin fur, no fur (like a hairless Chinese crested dog) or fur that’s just been recently shaved, are more prone to sunburn and skin cancer. In saying that, dogs with thick, darker coats can also get sunburnt on their nose, ears, belly, groin, around their mouth and even their eyelids - all the pink delicate areas.  

Signs of dog sunburn

Just like my second born Poppy, I’m fair-skinned, blonde with freckles, and I can easily burn after being out in the sun for just thirty minutes. When we get sunburnt, our skin turns pink and it feels tight and hot, which is exactly how our pups feel when they get sunburnt.  Look out for dry, cracked or flaky skin. Their skin may be tender to touch and if severe they may show signs of a fever.

Sunburn treatment

If your dog gets sunburnt there’s a few home remedies you can try straight away to make them more comfortable. You can give them a cold bath and apply a cold face wash to the area. This will help cool the skin but it won’t help heal the sunburn. To do that you can apply Aloe Vera gel, which will not only soothe the skin and relieve the pain, it will also help heal the burn. Aloe Vera gel is safe for dogs, so don’t worry if they lick it. While some burns just need a little TLC, some will need extra attention, so make sure you call your vet for piece of mind. 

Should dogs wear sunscreen?

If you’re planning on spending more than thirty minutes outside with your dog it’s best you both put sunscreen on. Human sunscreen (including kids and baby sunscreen) are toxic for dogs and can cause harm if they are licked or ingested so make sure you apply a dog-friendly sunscreen.

Be sure to apply it to their nose, ears, belly, groin area, around their mouth and eyelids and anywhere the fur is thin or non-existent – in the case of hairless dogs, that’s everywhere.

Try to avoid long hours in the sun, and if possible avoid being out during the hottest time of the day when the UV is at it’s highest, usually between 12pm-3pm.

Prepping your pooch for the sun

Sunscreen is a great way we can protect our best friends from the sun, and here’s a few more ways we can try to ensure they don’t get sunburnt. 

Remember the old Cancer Council SunSmart campaign, the one with the slogan Slip, Slop, Slap? Well this applies to dogs as much as it does to humans.

Slip on a shirt

Why not dress your dog in a Hawaiian shirt or a rashie for a day at the beach? This is a great idea for hairless dogs who need all the protection they can get! You might be surprised (as I was) to learn not all clothing blocks out 100% UV rays, which means you can get burnt through your clothes! Epp, scary I know, but don’t panic this just means you should look for UV protective clothing – for yourself and your dog. Here’s my pick for a 50+ UV sun protective dog rashie, you can even order one with your dog’s name on it, cute!

Slop on some sunscreen

Yep, we covered this one above. My go-to dog-friendly sunscreen is made by Petkin. This sunscreen range is comparable to SPF 15 rating for humans, and it comes in three different forms; roll-on, wipes and spray.  

Slap on a hat

Some dogs will get agitated if you put a hat on them, and they might try and paw it off, but if they don’t why not buy them one for added sun protection - and of course for the cuteness factor – check out this photo of Soda wearing her hat. 

Seek shade

If you’re feeling hot, the chances are your dog is too. If possible, let your dog stay inside during the hottest part of the day, or ensure they have access to a shady area outside where they can find relief from the sun, like a covered deck. When you’re out and about on an adventure with your pooch, make sure you have access to natural shade like trees or you can create a shaded area with an umbrella or shade cloth. 

Slide on some sunnies

Now dogs don’t need sunnies, however if your dog has an eye condition like glaucoma or cataracts, are sensitive to light or you’d like to shield their eyes from debris, like sand at the beach, you could try a pair of doggles, which also provide 100% protection for harmful UV rays.

If your dog doesn’t need doggles but still wants to make a fashion statement at the dog park, there’s no harm in popping on a pair of this seasons shades.

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