Should My Dog Wear Sun Lotion?
During the hot summer months, most people stock up on sun lotion to protect against harmful UV rays – but what about your dog? Should your dog wear sun lotion on a hot sunny day? Surely his fur will protect him, right? In actual fact, there are certain breeds of dog that would benefit from the application of sun lotion when the weather outside is searing. Holidays4Dogs looks into sun cream products for dogs.
A dog’s skin can become burnt by the sun just like it can in people. They can suffer from red, inflamed skin which can lead to damage and hair loss. As with humans, constant exposure to strong sun can also lead to skin cancer.
There are quite a few breeds of dog that can feel the negative effects of sunburn and many of these breeds typically have white fur – bulldogs, whippets, greyhounds, westies and dalmatians, to name but a few.
Hairless breeds such as the Chinese crested are also highly susceptible to sunburn. As a result, they may benefit from the application of sun lotion. Dogs with white, pale, or short fur, are at greater risk of the sun’s rays penetrating to the skin underneath – which can potentially cause sunburn. We love this natural Be:Loved Sun protection SP15 Balm easily available on Amazon.
Dog safe sun lotions.
Sun cream is best applied to areas such as, the nose, tips of the ears, groin and belly. Dogs that enjoy ‘sunbathing’ will most certainly be safer if they do so with an application of sun cream.
However, if you choose to put sun cream on your dog, make sure it is specifically formulated for animals.
Human products often contain zinc, which is harmful to dogs if they ingest it when licking their fur, or skin.
When you use sun lotion on your dog for the first time, apply it to a small area to make sure there is no reaction to it.
Be aware of heatstroke too.
There are, of course, other reasons to make sure your dog is protected from the sun. Dogs can suffer from heatstroke just like we do too. Limit exposure to strong sun during the day by keeping him indoors, or making sure he is in the shade. NEVER leave dogs in a vehicle when the sun is shining.
Provide plenty of water to keep him hydrated. Keep vigorous exercise to a minimum during the hottest part of the day. Many dogs enjoy splashing around in a paddling pool and may be much appreciated in warm weather.
A couple of products we found available on-line from UK companies are; Petkin Doggy Sunstick and Hound Hemp skin, nose and paw balm with sun protection.
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