Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Dogs Need Sunscreen Too!


Gigi needed a little boost to get her sunbathing on.

Summer's here and humans everywhere are reaching quickly for the sunblock - but, lets not forget our furry friends.

Yes, dogs need sun protection too!

Like humans, pets should have sunblock applied to sun-sensitive areas such as tips of ears, nose, underbelly, and groin. Typically they're all going to be areas that have sparse hair coverage or where pigmentation is low.

Avoid giving your dog a "summer cut" if they have a light colored coat or thin(ing) hair. Yes this cute cut,  keeps your long haired pal from getting matted or being uncomfortable in the summer heat but can also be the cause of their sunburn.

Personally, I have the groomer give Gigi a "summer cut" all year long because I don't care for all her shedding & scruffy face look, but then again she rarely goes outside for long periods of time between 11am - 5pm. My girl loves her air conditioning.

  • Use pet-safe sunscreen, if possible - try Epi-Pen Sun Protector, the only FDA approved sunscreen for dogs. ($17.95 on Amazon)
  • Baby sunscreen is a-ok to use on your dog. (Most human sunscreens have ingestion warnings because the ingredients can be toxic if a child or dog ingests them, so if your pet is likely to lick it, look for a pet-specific sunscreen.)
  • You should re-apply regularly during sun exposure.  It is recommended to use at least 1 tablespoon of lotion or cream for each body area treated!  Sunscreen should be re-applied every 4 to 6 hours during the brightest time of the day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • If your pup has a sunburn, give him a soothing bath with cool water and a gentle, soap-free product.
  • Try adding Neep Oil to the shampoo. Non-toxic Neem works quickly and safely to heal heat as well as chemical burns.
  • Stay away from zinc oxide - it's toxic to dogs!

Please consult with your veterinarian prior to using any human products or medications on your pet.

2 comments:

  1. I never thought about dogs needing sunscreen. I know I like to shave Dexter short in the summer and he's gotten a little burned before. I just try to keep him out of the sun-during the peak times.

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  2. My groomer that I found at www.jobquotes.com gave me this advice a while ago and in the summer Kino seems much more comfortable in the sun now.

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