Signs Your Dog is Sunburnt

Surprisingly, dogs can get sunburns too! And areas with less fur like their bellies, ears, or cute button noses are especially vulnerable.

Signs and symptoms

As you might expect, some dogs are more susceptible to the sun than others. Those with lighter hair, fairer skin, and thinner coats are particularly at risk from our strong, harmful UV rays.

Since dogs love to spend time outside, it's usually easy to tell if they’re sunburned. In fact, the signs of sun damage in dogs are the same as those in humans, including:

• Redness

• Dryness and cracking

• Scratching

• Peeling

• Blisters

• Sensitive skin

Prevention

Prevention is the best approach when it comes to protecting your pet from the harmful effects of the sun.

First thing’s first – use shade and avoid the hottest part of the day. Grabbing your own sunscreen is not the best idea, but there is sunscreen made for dogs. You can purchase this at your local vet or pet retailer.

Go for products with wholesome ingredients and are vet-recommended. Your dog is likely to lick their nose, so it’s important that the ingredients are non-toxic.

Dog-friendly sunscreens we recommend:

1. Dr Zoo Zinc-Free Sun Cream

2. MooGoo Natural Zinc-Free Sunscreen

3. Filta Bac Sunscreen & Antibacterial Cream

But it's always a good idea to check in with your vet and see what they recommend. After all, they know your pup best!

Treatment

A cold compress can help treat your doggy’s sun damage. If your pet has a serious burn with blisters that are turning purple, take them straight to the vet.

At the end of the day, you just need to keep a close eye on them — which isn’t hard when it comes to our best mates.