Best Dog Sunscreen

You might be surprised to learn that pets also need to wear sunscreen when they are out in the sun–overexposure to harmful UV rays can be just as dangerous for your four-legged bestie as it is for you. Dogs can get sunburn or even certain types of skin cancer, not unlike people, and they require protection. So, when you’re out adventuring in the dog days of summer, you should lather up both yourself and your dog with sunblock! Of course, it doesn’t mean your dog has to go around all greasy with dried cream on his hair. In most cases, your dog’s coat will be protection enough from sun rays, so it’s the sensitive, bare areas you have to pay attention to: a dog’s nose, ears and belly are the most exposed to the UV rays and are the parts of the body that should be covered in sunscreen before you head out. It’s important to note, though, that not just any sunscreen would do. If you thought that you can share a bottle of sunblock with your furry bestie, you’re sorely mistaken. What is safe for your skin doesn’t necessarily have to be safe for a dog. There is specially formulated dog sunscreen you should get, as it is formulated to be safe and effective for canines specifically.

Dog sunscreen is made with dog-safe ingredients that won’t irritate their sensitive skin and has a protective factor that blocks UV rays and prevents them from doing damage. The sunscreen shouldn’t contain zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (commonly found in human sunblock) because they can be toxic to dogs if ingested–and that can happen easily as we all know how pooches like to lick themselves. The SPF factor of the dog sunscreen can vary as it is difficult to translate the same values to the world of canines and because they are mostly made from natural ingredients.

While protection from UV rays is important, not all dogs will require sunscreen–or at least, not as much coverage. The particularly vulnerable groups are dogs with light fur and light skin, as well as hairless breeds. In other cases, protecting the nose or wearing sun-protective clothing will do the trick. Lastly, if possible, the best way to protect your pet from UV rays is to avoid taking them out during the parts of the day when the sun is at its strongest. When that’s not an option, make sure to take preventive measures.

Do dogs need sunscreen? Dangers of UV rays for dogs

By now, it’s clear that dogs do need sunscreen–but not all dogs need it nor will you use it in the same manner. Dogs that have pink and light skin, dogs with light hair, short coats, or hairless breeds are the most endangered group and will have to wear sunscreen in the summer. The part of the body that needs to be covered with a protective dog sunblock is the bare one- the nose, the ears, and the abdomen are the most exposed to the harmful UV rays. In cases of dogs that have no hair, such as the Chinese Crested or Xoloitzcuintli for example, all of the bare parts of the body should be protected by sunscreen. In all other cases, focusing on the most exposed areas will be enough. To make sure that dog sunscreen is effective, you’ll have to apply it properly.

Spray or smear the sunscreen on the skin and try to prevent your pet from reaching the area for at least 10 to 15 minutes until the product is properly absorbed. If your pet licks it off, paws it off or rubs off the sunscreen in any way before it has a chance to work its way into the external skin layer, it will all be for naught. For the same reason, it’s recommended to go for a waterproof formula if you are taking your pet for a swim–contact with water can lower the effectiveness of a regular sunscreen.

But why all this fuss? I mean, dogs haven’t worn sunscreen before and it was all good? Unfortunately, as the ozone layer is rapidly thinning, the UV radiation that reaches the Earth is now more harmful, both for us and for our pets. Combine that with the fact that we now know more about the effects of sun rays on dog’s skin than we did before, and it’s clear why more and more experts are recommending the use of dog sunscreen. When dogs with sensitive skin are left vulnerable to the effects of UV rays, they can develop a range of issues, from mild to severe.

The first and most common danger of not putting dog sunscreen on your pet is the risk of them getting a sunburn. The burnt skin will become red, itchy, and flaky and will cause discomfort to your pet- and will require OTC creams or home remedies to be applied to speed up the healing process and minimize the irritation. But, sunburn can be the least of your problems. If your pet is in the group that has higher sensitivity to sun (paler skin, less or no hair to protect it) and is consistently exposed to harmful UV rays, it will put them at risk for skin cancer. Not unlike humans, dogs can also develop skin cancer because of overexposure to sun’s radiation, so putting a layer of protection between the sun and your pet’s skin can turn out to be a literal lifesaver in the long run.

What to look for in dog sunscreen

You might know what makes a good sunblock when you’re picking out one for yourself, but the rules of the game slightly change when it comes to dog sunscreen. As we’ve mentioned before, some ingredients that are perfectly safe for us humans can be toxic to our pets, so it’s important to pay attention to the formula. Additionally, what’s practical for you to apply might not be as convenient for your furry bestie–so be sure to check if the sunscreen ticks all of your boxes before you buy!

Types of application

Dog sunscreen comes in different forms to make sure it’s easy to apply whatever your pet’s needs are. Your choice will depend on if you want to efficiently cover their whole body or just need to protect smaller areas. Dog sunscreen creams are the traditional choice as they are readily available and convenient to apply if you are using it on the smaller parts of your pet’s body. However, if you need something for whole-body coverage, creams are a messy affair, so it’s better to opt for sunscreen wipes or spray. Sunscreen wipes are a good choice for something that you can always have on hand but are usually not as effective and require more frequent re-applying. Dog sunscreen sprays are a mess-free, convenient solution, especially when you need to protect body parts with your pet’s fur on them or their whole body. Not all pets like the sound of sprays, though, so be sure to take that into account. Lastly, there are dog sunscreen sticks that resemble deodorant: just rub some on your hands and spread it on your pooch.

Effectiveness

Dog sunscreen is usually made from natural ingredients that have known UV ray blocking properties, such as essential oils or natural butter such as shea or cocoa. Ideally, the formula will combine more than one active ingredient to offer complete protection: read the label carefully to check if it offers both UVA and UVB protection, what is the sun protection factor, and how often it needs to be reapplied to stay effective. Also, you should make sure to go for waterproof dog sunscreen if you’re out on the water with your pooch–a splash in the pool or a dip in the lake will ruin the effects of sunscreen unless the formula is resistant to water.

Safety

It can’t be stressed enough that the safety of your pet should be what concerns you the most–when you’re looking to protect them from harsh UV rays, you should make sure that the product you use doesn’t contain toxic ingredients that could cause anything from skin reactions to poisoning if ingested. Sometimes, people will use baby sunscreen on their dogs thinking that the formula is gentle and safe enough for pets but that’s far from the truth. If the sunscreen contains zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (which it often does), then it’s not safe for your pet to use.