Sun Protection for Dogs: Is It Really Necessary?

Nowadays, nobody questions whether humans need to use a product to protect ourselves from solar radiation. But... what about using sun cream on dogs? In today’s post, we explain why they also need sun protection and how to do it. Keep reading!

Is sun protection necessary for dogs?

When taking care of a dog, you need to pay attention to different factors such as training them, looking after their diet, playing with them, and caring for their health...

And when we talk about their health, we also mean protecting their skin and coat from solar radiation. Because yes, sun exposure can also be harmful for our dogs, and their skin can burn and become irritated too.

The reason is that, although it is true that their coat protects them, there are areas where they barely have any, such as the tip of the nose. And, in addition, they tend to be sensitive to the effects of the sun.

Likewise, dogs with lighter colouring and fine, short hair are more prone to suffering burns. Therefore, using asun cream for dogs is essential when your pet is going to spend many hours in the sun.

How and when should you apply sun cream for dogs?

Although some dogs have a thick, abundant coat that protects their skin from the sun, there are breeds such as bull terriers, for example, whose coat is harsh and short.

For this reason, sun exposure on their skin can cause burns or irritation in areas where they usually have less hair, such asthe belly or the nose, as we mentioned at the beginning of the post.

This lack of hair and contact with the sun can also cause other long-term problems, such as pyoderma (skin infections) or cancer. For this reason, and although many people are still unaware of it, sun protection for dogs is very important during the highest-risk times of year, especially when the warmer weather arrives.

But how should we apply it? First of all, it is not recommended to use too much product. For it to be effective,the skin must absorb it completely. In addition, if it remains on the surface, the animal may ingest it after licking it.

On the other hand,it should only be applied to areas exposed to radiation and that are more sensitive. We mean the abdomen, the back of the legs, around the muzzle and the tips of the ears. It is recommended to apply the sun cream before going out for a walk when the animal is going to be highly exposed to radiation.

In addition, as it may lose its effectiveness after a while, it is recommended toreapply every two hours or whenever our furry friend has a bath if they are at the beach or pool.

Lastly, you should pay attention to your pet’s skin, especially if they have spent several hours in the sun. It will be enough to check them regularly to see whether they have suffered any kind ofburn, especially in the most sensitive areas.

Which sun cream for dogs should you buy?

To prevent sun damage in pets, we can choose specific sun protection products in different formats, such as creams or sprays.

And why are we talking about specific sun protection products? The main reason is that our pH is different. In addition, some compounds, such as PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) or zinc, are very toxic to animals. That is why we recommend a sun product formulated for dogs, such as:

• Heliovet fotoprotector crema SPF 50+: It is effective against the harmful effects of the sun (UVA, UVB, IRA radiation and visible light). It is formulated withFernblock technology,from Cantabria Labs, and its ingredients include phytosphingosine, plankton and green tea. In addition, Heliovet crema solar SPF 50+ contains other natural active ingredients that provide a repairing and antioxidant action, which helps to regenerate any damage the animal’s skin may have and its skin barrier.
• Heliovet fotoprotector spray SPF 50+: Another option offered by Heliovet is the sun protection spray format, which is easy to apply and has a very light, fast-absorbing texture. It has the same formula and protection against UVA, UVB, IRA rays and visible light. And, like Heliovet SPF 50+ sun cream, it repairs sun damage and protects our furry friend from the harmful effects of the sun.

Despite the great effectiveness of dog sun protection products, at Farmaciasdirect we would like to remind you that their effect does not last all day. That is why it is advisable to avoid taking your furry friend out for walks during the hours of highest radiation and to reapply the sun protection product every 2 hours. And most importantly, do not forget to keep them hydrated!