Protecting Your Pet From the Sun

Playing outside on a sunny day can be as fun for your pets as it is for you and your family. Usually when you go outside in the summer, or even in cooler weather, and you plan to be out there for a prolonged period of time, you apply sunscreen to your skin. Your dog or cat can benefit from a little sunscreen too.

However, just like you, they need to be protected from exposure from the suns ultraviolet, UV, rays. Believe it not, your pets can get a sunburn if they are outside too long and they can get skin cancer as well. Dogs and cats with lighter skin pigmentation and thin fur are more susceptible to the suns rays than those with darker skin tones and thicker fur.

You can use the same sunscreen you buy for yourself, as long as it has a high UV protection factor or you can buy sunscreen made especially for pets from a pet store or at Teneriffe Veterinary Surgery. Apply it to the tips of their ears, the bridge of the nose, the flanks if the fur is thin, the abdomen area if your dog lights to roll onto his back and the edge of their eyelids. Be careful to avoid getting the sunscreen in their eyes. Try not to apply it in areas where they can easily lick it off.

If you pet stays outside all day, make sure they have plenty of shade shelter to protect them from the sun. Try not to take pets outside during 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., especially on days the UV index is high. Also, if you are driving in your car, don't let your pet lay in a hot spot, especially if they are in a carrier or crate because they can't move when it gets too hot for them. Always make sure your pet has plenty of cool, fresh water to drink to stay hydrated. For more info on protecting your pet, click here.

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