Most of us love summer! It seduces us with beautiful weather and promises lots of outdoor fun. But as beautiful as summer is, the heat is not always healthy. You should avoid the sun with your dog, especially at midday, because there is a fairly large source of danger lurking here that you should not underestimate. Sunburn. In today's blog post, we will explain why you should definitely avoid sunburn on your dog and how you can recognize it.
Recognizing sunburn in your dog
Just like us humans, your dog can also get sunburned. The consequences are very similar to those for us humans. In addition to pain, sunburn can lead to severe itching and, last but not least, sunburn can also lead to skin cancer in your dog. There are many factors that can cause sunburn in your dog, as some areas of the body are more severely affected than others and not every dog is equally susceptible to sunburn.
Dogs with short or light-colored fur are considered to be significantly more susceptible to sunburn. Long and dark fur, on the other hand, offers more protection from harmful UV rays. However, almost all dog breeds have the same sensitive areas where sunburn occurs most frequently. These include primarily the area around the snout and mouth, the inside of the ears and the tips of the ears. The top of the skull can also be affected by sunburn much more quickly than other parts of the body.
If your dog has a sparsely covered underside of his body and likes to sunbathe on his back, you should also exercise caution here.
How to protect your dog from sunburn
The easiest way to protect your dog from sunburn is to take him into the shade. Never sit in the blazing sun with your dog. That is not healthy for you or your dog. Instead, look for a shady spot or create a shady spot with an umbrella, roof or under a leafy tree.
You can of course also protect your dog with sunscreen or sun spray. Sprays are much easier to apply to dogs' fur than creams. Since the area around your dog's eyes is particularly sensitive to sunburn, you should also provide protection here. However, you should not use creams or other sunscreens on or around the eyes. In this area, special sunglasses for dogs are more suitable for protection.
How to recognize sunburn in your dog
If your dog has sunburn, you can tell because the affected areas of skin are red and sometimes look inflamed. As the condition progresses, scales may form. Small blisters can also be an initial indication that your dog has sunburn.
Your dog may find the affected areas painful or itchy. Increased scratching can be an early sign of sunburn. Cool with clear water can help here. Avoid using creams or sprays to combat sunburn. Only zinc could be helpful, but this should be discussed with your vet beforehand.
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