You might not realize that the sun damage that affects your skin can also affect your dog's. In fact, some of the very short-haired breeds that are outdoors often in the summer months can develop skin cancer just like people do.
Which Sunscreen is Safe to Use on Dogs?
Not all sunscreen is created equal, this means that just because one is safe for you, does not mean it is safe for your dog. Even the sunscreens specifically for dogs are not without their problems and can actually cause more harm than good should your dog lick off the ingredients that you put on them. Here are some tips for which sunscreen to use (people or dog formulations):
- Make sure the sun screen factor or SPF is 18 or at least above 15
- The product needs to be in a lotion form rather than a spray
- The first or main ingredient you should see listed on the bottle should be titanium dioxide
- The product needs to be completely fragrance free, your dog could end up being allergic to various fragrances
- The sunscreen should also be free of paraben, this is a chemical your dog certainly does not need
- Lastly, it should contain plenty of skin conditioners, so look for ingredients such as jojoba oils, sunflower oil, chamomile, aloe juice, and vitamin E
Where to Apply the Sunscreen
If your dog has no hair on his or her tummy, you definitely want to apply it to their tummy, and anywhere else you can see their skin. If very short-haired, you can just put some lotion in your hand and rub it all through their coat and work it into their skin. The oils will be helpful to their coat. Be sure to rub some on his or her nose as well, since the nose is uncovered, it is vulnerable to sun damage.
Because your dog will no doubt lick whatever you put on them, you must make sure the sunscreen is safe and if he or she consumes some of it they will not become ill.
Additionally, It is best to keep your dog out of the mid-day sun or the hottest part of the day. In very hot climates, your dog can become overheated very quickly and heat stroke can follow. This is especially true if your dog is indoors most of the time in the cool air-conditioning.
Final Thoughts
While you need to protect your dog from the sun's damaging rays, you also must be careful about the sunscreen you choose for your dog. The last thing you want is having an exciting day out with your dog only to end up taking the dog to an emergency veterinarian clinic. Sunscreen needs to be saved for those times when you are out in the heat of the day with your dog, such as at the beach.
