Can Dogs Get Sunburnt? A Dog Sunscreen Guide

Packing a bottle of dog sunscreen in your bag may sound a little bit odd. After all, shouldn't a dog's fur act as a physical barrier between the sun and the skin? That's mostly true, but not every part of a dog's body is blanketed by thick fur.

Key Takeaways

• A dog's nose, ear tips, eyelids, lips, and belly have sparse hair, making these areas vulnerable to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Some dogs, such as hairless breeds or those with thin or light-coloured coats, have less natural protection.
• Shaving a dog during the summer raises the risk of sunburn.
• Like humans, dogs are susceptible to complications as a result of excessive UV exposure, and some of them can be very serious.
• Human sunscreen is not a substitute — zinc oxide and salicylates can be toxic to a dog who licks it off.

A question that pops up quite often during the "dog" days of summer is: "can dogs get sunburn, similar to the way humans do?" The answer is yes, dogs can get sunburn too and the consequences can sometimes be serious.

Dog sunburn, professionally referred to as "solar dermatitis," occurs after intense exposure to ultraviolet light. Areas that are particularly vulnerable include those with minimal or no hair cover.

Outings in the great outdoors carry the obvious risk, but it's important to point out that indoor dogs are at risk too. Many pet parents find this surprising.

It's therefore important to pay attention to dogs who love basking in the sun and learn how to recognise early dog sunburn symptoms.

Many pet parents wonder whether they may see dog skin peeling like sunburn taking place in humans. One of the first signs a dog's skin is being subjected to the damage of sunburn (actinic damage) are erythema and scaling, explains veterinary dermatologist Dr. David Scarff.

And what does dog sunburn look like if the exposure continues? In this case, the scaling continues and it can overlie the areas of erosion, adds Dr. Scarff. The cartilage of the dog's ear flaps may curl and progress to squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) in some cases.

And what about repeated sun exposure? Chronic sun exposure may lead to thickened areas that are scarred with comedones, erosions, ulcers, crusts and draining tracts, explains veterinary dermatologist Dr. Kimberly S. Coyner. Any persistent skin change or scratching is worth a vet's eyes.

Not sure whether what you're looking at is sunburn or something else? PawHealth and CareTeam, PawChamp's wellness advisors, can talk you through what you're seeing and whether it needs a vet.

Caught at the earliest signs, dog sunburn treatment can reverse the damage by stopping exposure to sunlight and applying a high potency water-based sunblock that is safe for dogs.

Further treatment may involve cool baths, medications to ease discomfort and antibiotics if an infection is present. Chronic sun exposure may require more aggressive treatments, considering the cumulative level of damage to the dog's skin.

Having discussed the negative impact of the sun on a dog's skin, it comes natural for pet parents to wonder: "does my dog need sunscreen even if he has lots of fur?"

The answer is yes, dogs should be protected with sunscreen, particularly dogs with light skin and white fur, explains veterinarian Dr. Richard Goldstein. Dogs need the same form of protection we do from the risk of sunburn and potential skin cancer.

However, not all sunscreen is created equally. "Is there dog sunscreen?" you may ask. Yes, there are sunscreens specifically designed with canines in mind and these are the safest option as long as they meet certain requirements.

Choosing a Dog-Safe Sunscreen

What should you look for in a dog safe sunscreen? Primarily, you want to avoid sunscreens designed for humans as they may contain harmful ingredients such as acetylsalicylic acid, parabens and zinc oxide.

When shopping for the best dog sunscreen you may therefore want to look for fragrance-free products that are devoid of harmful ingredients and have an SPF of 15 or higher. The best one is ultimately designed with dogs in mind, effective and free of harmful ingredients.

Picking the right bottle is half the job. Getting your dog to hold still while you apply it to a nose or an ear tip is the other half, and that part is training. A couple of quick questions about your dog will show you where to start.

Dog parents may wonder "can I put sunscreen on my dog?" The answer ultimately depends on the type of sunscreen. Certain types can be unsafe for dogs, because dogs are prone to licking and ingesting it.

So when dog parents ask "can I use human sunscreen on a dog?" the answer is a profound no, because of the risk it contains harmful ingredients such as zinc oxide and salicylates.

The best answer is therefore yes, you can put sunscreen on a dog, but you must absolutely ensure it's free of potentially harmful ingredients. Look for a veterinarian-approved sunscreen, in particular one without zinc oxide and forms of acetylsalicylic acid (octyl salicylate, homosalate, trolamine salicylate).

A dog's nose is particularly vulnerable to sunburn because it lacks protective hair. In particular, dogs with pink or lightly pigmented noses are at greater risk for dog nose sunburn due to reduced melanin, the pigment that helps absorb and dissipate ultraviolet radiation.

The good news is that there are a variety of companies offering dog nose sunscreen. These products are specifically designed for protecting vulnerable dog noses, so look for one that is free of ingredients harmful to dogs.

Dog Nose Sunburn Treatment and Balm

Already dealing with a dog sunburn nose caused by harmful sun rays? It's never too late to intervene. Dog nose sunburn treatment consists of firstly removing the dog from the sun immediately. You do not want to cause further damage.

And next time, make sure to invest in a dog balm with sunscreen for noses.

A dog ate sunscreen and how it will impact them may vary based on several factors: the type of sunscreen ingested, the amount, the size of your dog, and whether any part of the packaging was also swallowed.

It's therefore best to seek veterinary attention, or contact the Pet Poison Helpline if it's after hours. The helpline offers access to highly trained veterinary professionals ready to gather information about the toxic exposure and advise on the best course of action, for a fee.

Sunscreen can help protect your dog's vulnerable areas from damage, but it will only work well if your dog is willing to stay still. For many dogs, having their face and paws handled isn't something they naturally enjoy, especially if they have learned to associate touch with negative happenings such as baths, vaccines and nail clips.

This is where PawChamp comes into place:

• Cooperative care training that teaches your dog to become a willing participant, staying calm for sunscreen, skin checks and nose inspections.
• Step-by-step handling exercises short enough to fit in before a walk rather than instead of one.
• Healthy warm-weather routines, such as choosing cooler times of day for walks, taking shade breaks, and helping your dog relax during outdoor adventures.
• The Ask a Dog Expert chat for the moments your dog pulls away and you're not sure how to respond.

Keep in mind that cooperative care is meant for routine preventive care, not emergencies. A dog who develops sunburn, blistering, peeling skin, or appears ill after ingesting sunscreen needs prompt veterinary care. PawChamp helps create calm, cooperative handling for everyday skin care, while your veterinarian provides the medical treatment when it's needed.

• Pucheu-Haston, C.M. Solar dermatitis and photodermatitis in dogs VIN.
• Scarff, D. Summer Skin Care for Dogs and Cats BVNA.
• Coyner, K.S. Diagnosis and treatment of solar dermatitis in dogs dvm360.
• Should My Dog Wear Sunscreen? Scissortail Dermatology — comments from Dr. Richard Goldstein and Dr. Millie Rosales.
• Gfeller, R. First Aid for Burns in Dogs and Cats Veterinary Partner, VIN.
• Pet Poison Helpline. 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center.