How to Protect Your Dog From Sunburn This Summer

Who knew that you’d need to protect your dog from sunburn? You’d think their fur would do that; to some extent, for some dogs, that may be true. But in the mid-day summer sun, dogs can suffer, just like humans.

While you may enjoy the hot weather, your pooch may not be having the time of his life during the summer months. Dogs get sunburned in hot weather, and in worst cases, they may suffer from a heatstroke. Therefore, this article looks at how to protect your dog from sunburn.

We all know how painful sunburn can be, and your canine friend can also suffer from them. It’s best to avoid sunburning your pup in the first place, the good news is that it’s rarely serious.

If you are afraid of your dog getting sunburn when you and your little dog are going to hang out together in the sun, then you are at the right place to get all the information you need on dog sunburn.

How Can I Tell if My Dog Is Sunburned?

Redness on the skin of a dog is the first and most obvious sign of sunburn on a dog. The canine’s skin will be delicate to touch.

Look for dry, cracked skin and twisting at the edges of the ears. Sunburn around the eyes and ears is more likely as these areas are sensitive. Dog sunburn is indicated by repeated scratching of delicate spots, accompanied by whining. Your lovely pet may try to get away when you try to pet him. When your dog gets extreme sunburn, he might even get a slight fever.

The major signs of dog sunburn are stated below:

• Reddened areas of skin
• Blistering
• Dry skin
• Infected sores
• Cracked skin
• Hot paws
• Slight fever

You can check the internet for sunburned dog images to confirm if the signs your dog is showing resemble those due to sunburns. A visit to the veterinarian will be the best way forward if you notice signs in your dog.

How Do You Treat Sunburn on a Dog?

Obviously, prevention is better than a cure when it comes to sunburn. However, as we know from personal experience it’s not always the length of time spent in the sun, because sometimes an overcast day can cause as much sunburn as full sunlight.

If your dog is of a breed that is susceptible to sunburn you need to remain alert to the burn levels during the summer months. Keeping a dog inside during the summer months is not a practice way to protect your dog from sunburn.

Protection from the sun is equally important for dogs as it is for people. If your dog got a sunburn you should not freak out first as there are some ways of dog sunburn treatment, some of them are described below:

• Remove your dog from direct sun exposure.
• You can keep a cool towel on the affected area to treat a dog’s sunburn.
• Get your dog to the shady area and keep him hydrated.
• Vitamin E oil also helps in dog sunburn treatment as it soothes, heals, and prevents further scarring.
• You can apply aloe vera or coconut oil for dog sunburn treatment or dog sunburn nose balm on the affected area in slight sunburns.
• The vet will prescribe some ointments and cortisone treatments if the sunburn is extreme.
• Make sure to avoid excessive sun exposure in the first place. Dog Sunburns can be avoided, that is why it is better to prevent them. If you take your pooch out in the summers, take them swimming and keep them hydrated during that time.

What Dog Breeds Are More Susceptible to Sunburn?

You should know if your dog is at a greater risk of getting sunburn so that you can be extra careful. That is why here we are going to list some breeds of dogs that are more susceptible to sunburns and sun damage than others.

Breeds with white coats and pink skin, as well as those with more exposed skin, need extra protection. According to the Banfield pet hospital, some dogs are more susceptible to sunburns than others which are

• Shorthaired pointers
• Bull terriers
• Light coated poodles
• Chinese crested dogs
• Staffordshire terriers
• Dalmatians
• Pitbulls
• Boxers

How Long Does a Dog Sunburn Last?

An acute sunburn usually develops within one hour of being exposed to the sun and peaks within three days. After that, a sunburn starts to fade out and the dog skin starts healing. Usually, the sunburns on the dog are on the nose and ear areas. Redness on the skin is the major sign of dog sunburn followed by other signs as explained above.

What Kind of Sunscreen is Safe for Dogs?

Humans apply sunscreen whenever it’s hot and sunny but one may think “do dogs need sunscreen?

Can you use human sunscreen on dogs?” The answer is NO!

Sunscreen formulated for humans contains zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) which is toxic for dogs if ingested (dogs may lick their skin and accidentally ingest it).

So, be sure to choose the right sunscreen made for your canine only. You can choose the unscented dog sunscreens, with a minimum of SPF 30 which should be waterproof.

Always read the ingredients of the sunscreen before buying to ensure that it is safe and will protect your dog from sunburn and not cause other health issues. Keep your dog under supervision after applying sunscreen for 15-20 minutes so that it can be absorbed in the skin and your dog does not lick it.

I prefer natural sunscreen for dogs like this one, Vitamin & Essential Oil Sunscreen and Skin Conditioner For Dogs, or another favorite is Warren London Dog Sunscreen Spray Protection with Aloe Vera both available on Amazon.

What Are the Risks Associated With Dog Sunburn?

Apart from sunburns, excessive exposure to the sun can prompt more significant issues, for instance, heatstroke and specific sorts of skin diseases, like melanomas, squamous cell carcinoma, and hemangiomas.

Sunburn also causes certain other conditions, for instance, dermatitis and autoimmune diseases, which can cause complications for your dog.

Fortunately, a little cautiousness and prevention from longer sun exposure can keep your canine from getting an excessive number of bright UV (UVA and UVB) beams. If dogs get sunburned, particularly having dog sunburn around the eyes, coconut oil for dog sunburn can be used as mentioned above. Most importantly, stay cool and keep your pooch cool!

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