Do Dogs Need Sunscreen?

dog dogs need sunscreen

Here's The 411 On Dogs & Sunscreen

We all know that we humans should wear sunscreen everyday, especially in the summer to protect us from harmful UV rays that can cause sunburn, aging, and skin cancer. But does your dog need sunscreen? The simple answer is yes. However, not all dogs need sunscreen all over. Like humans, some dogs are more sensitive to the sun and more prone to sunburn and heat stroke. According to a leading veterinary dermatologist, "the dogs that are most susceptible [to sunburn] are dogs with white hair and non-pigmented skin that like to sunbathe on their backs." Hairless dogs and dogs with light-pigmented noses and eyelids are also at a higher risk to sunburn. Will all dogs, their ears, abdomens, and noses are most affected by the sun.

It’s important that you only use types of sunscreen that are specifically intended for use on dogs. They should not contain zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), as these ingredients are toxic to dogs if ingested. We would recommend a non-scented sunscreen with and SPF of at least 30 and that is waterproof.

How To Apply Sunscreen To Your Dog

You will want to apply a small amount of sunscreen to a test port to make sure it doesn't cause an allergic reaction to your dog. If your dog is going to be out in the sun, make sure to apply sunscreen to the parts out exposed, such as the nose, ear tips, lips, groin, inner thighs, and anywhere else where pigmentation is light. Be careful not to get any in your dog's eyes. It is best to allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes for maximum absorption, so try not to let your dog lick it off. It is recommended to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before your dog goes out and reapply every 4-6 hours or after swimming.