Most dogs love spending time outdoors. As the weather gets warmer, our canine family are more likely to be outdoors with us – laying in the grass, running in the park or dog park, or joining us at the beach.
This also means that they will be exposed to the sun more often, which can bring potential health issues like dehydration, heatstroke, and sun damage. 
In addition to proper hydration and overall general precautions about exposure to heat and summer weather safety, most pet parents don’t know or realize that there are dog friendly sunscreens.
Why is sun protection important?
First of all, YES, there are sunscreens for dogs. Some breeds are more susceptible to sunburn than others. For example:
- Chinese crested dogs
- Dalmatians
- White german shepherds
- Boxers
- American staffordshire terriers
- Greyhounds
- Pitbulls
- Whippets
Generally, if your dog has a light-colored or thin coat, or is completely hairless, there’s a good chance they can develop a sunburn more quickly than others. However, this doesn’t mean other dogs are in the clear. Any part of a dog’s skin that’s exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period of time can get burnt, like their nose, for example. Sunburn can be very painful, and potentially lead to other serious skin conditions in dogs or even skin cancer.
Sunscreen
It’s important that pet owners take the necessary precautions to protect their dogs from the sun, whether it’s purchasing a cooling mat, providing ample amounts of water, or helping them apply sunscreen.
A list of sunscreen products has been compiled by Pumpkin.care a pet insurance company.
1. Epi-pet sun protector spray
2. Emmy’s sun skin protector dog spray
3. Warren London dog sunscreen spray
4. My Dog Nose It sun protection balm
5. Petkin doggy sun stick
These are all available online
Like all other sunscreens, ensure that you’re reapplying them every two hours. If you’re planning to use it on a puppy younger than six months, however, consult with your veterinarian first.
Bottom line: Your precious pooch deserves the best protection – on sunny days and beyond.
General Safety Tips Made for Outdoor Adventures with Canine Family
To help keep pets and pet parents safe and healthy on their adventures, Dr. Jennifer Bruns, DVM, MPVM, of PetSmart Veterinary Services, shares tips to keep in mind when planning for outdoor activities, including:
- Go at your pet’s pace. If your dog isn’t accustomed to outdoor adventures, be mindful of how much energy an activity like swimming or hiking can take from them. Keep an eye on them and watch for any signs of distress.
- Stay safe in the water. Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, always outfit them with a life jacket when near bodies of water, especially if you’re on a boat or kayak and are far from shore.
- Be mindful of the heat. Just like humans, dogs can experience heatstroke, the symptoms of which can take hours or even days to show up. Watch for signs of distress such as excessive panting or difficulty breathing, weakness, increased heart rate, diarrhea or vomiting.
- Keep your pet fueled and hydrated. In the hot summer months, your pet needs extra water, too. Take frequent water and snack breaks to keep pets hydrated and fueled to continue the adventure.
- Pets get sunburned, too. Protect your dog from the sun with regular breaks in the shade and apply pet-safe sunscreen to their noses, ears and other areas where their coat doesn’t cover the skin.
- Have proper identification on your pet. Be sure your dog is wearing a tag on its collar and that the information is up to date in case you get separated. Don’t forget to update the information connected to their microchip as well.