Veterinarian urges dog owners to slather their pets with sunscreen

Dr. Anna Foreman, the vet at Everypaw Pet Insurance, has warned against leaving dogs in the sun for too long – and urged pet owners to slather their pets with sunscreen.

Does the sun have health benefits for dogs?

Dogs are unable to absorb UVB rays onto the skin (via cutaneous absorption) as we do, and therefore rely solely on dietary vitamin D intake. However, sunlight does help produce the hormones melatonin and serotonin, just like in humans, so sun exposure helps regulate a dog’s circadian rhythm, which helps with sleep and general mental health.

Dogs love sunbathing for the same reasons we do: enjoying the warmth and bright light! It provides a relaxing feeling that promotes peace and well-being.

How long are dogs allowed in the sun?

Just like us, dogs can suffer from sunburn and heat stroke if they stay in the sun for too long. Dogs should only bask in the sun for a maximum of 45 minutes to an hour when the sun is particularly intense (11am – 3pm).

Dogs should always have shade to escape to (they tend to seek shade when it’s too hot), and a bowl of fresh water available. They can also benefit from a clean freshwater swimming pool or a cooling mat to cool off in/on.

Dogs with breathing problems, such as brachycephalic breeds, or dogs suffering from respiratory diseases should not be in the sun at all, as the rise in body temperature and the subsequent need to pant to cool down will place significant pressure on the already affected skin . respiratory tract.

Extreme caution should be exercised when exercising any animal in temperatures above 75°F

Dogs should generally not be exercised in the middle of the day in hot weather; instead, the cooler early mornings (before 8 a.m.) or evenings (after 8 p.m.) are much safer. In general, it is safe to walk your dog in temperatures below 20oC, although large breed or flat-faced dogs that are obese or suffer from other health problems should always be closely monitored at any temperature held.

Even normal, healthy dogs under intense exercise are at risk of heat stroke in temperatures as low as 65-75°F (20-23°C). Extreme caution should be exercised when exercising any animal in temperatures above 75°F.

Instead of a walk in the heat, consider setting up a paddling pool for your dog in the shade in the garden for him to play in (under supervision!), or indoor games in a cool room, such as puzzle bowls , lick mats and games. with soft toys. If it is too hot to walk the dog together, especially over a longer period of time, reducing the amount of food and treats is a good way to prevent weight gain.

What are the potential dangers of dogs being left out in the sun for too long?

• Heat Stroke – If a dog gets too hot, he can suffer heat stroke, where his body temperature rises above 39.2oC due to being exposed to outside heat for too long. Some dog breeds are more unable to tolerate the heat, and especially exercise in the heat, than others. Brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs and French bulldogs, are particularly susceptible to heat stroke and therefore extra care should be taken when handling these dogs in hot weather. Additionally, older dogs, as well as dogs with underlying health problems, do not tolerate the heat as well as younger, healthy dogs. Dogs should generally not be exercised in the middle of the day in hot weather; instead, the cooler early mornings or evenings are much safer.

• Sunburn – Dogs with poorly pigmented skin or a thin hair coat are at risk for sunburn and an increased risk of developing skin cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma. Dogs, cats and other mammals with pink noses or ear tips are also at risk. Sunburned skin is just as painful in animals as it is in humans. More chronically and seriously, repeated sunburn can lead to cancerous changes – we see this especially on the ear tips and noses of white animals, especially cats. Cancers such as malignant squamous cell carcinoma may require ear flaps (pinnae) to be removed. They can be very locally invasive and tumors may ultimately be unresectable if left for extended periods of time. Those on the nose are very difficult to remove in their entirety due to the tight skin and close connection to the skull bone/cartilage.

• Sidewalks – There are other risks associated with the heat, such as burning paws on sidewalks. If a sidewalk is too hot to place the back of our hand on for five seconds, it is too hot for our dog’s paws.

Animals are especially at risk in the sun

• Those bred to have a thin or no hair coat, such as Chinese crested dogs or sphinx cats
• Those with shaved bald spots, such as animals clipped for veterinary examination and treatment such as a scan or surgery
• Those with white earbuds and pink noses – the lack of pigmentation (similar to people with pale skin) increases cell exposure to the sun
• The bridge and planum (tip) of the nose and abdomen/groin of all animals are at risk of sunburn to some degree due to a general lack of hair in these locations – darker skinned animals are less at risk no matter how exposed they are too. the skin can burn!

What are your top tips for keeping dogs and other pets safe in the sun?

• Provide shady areas and cool surfaces where the animals can rest when they are out in the sun
• Check the surface temperature before walking your dog in the sun. If the road surface is too hot to put the back of our hand on for five seconds, it is too hot for our dog’s paws.
• Make sure dogs always have clean drinking water available when they are in the sun to prevent dehydration
• Make sure that dogs with breathing problems do not lie in direct sunlight.
• As with most things, prevention is the best cure – in animals this is with sunscreen and limiting sun exposure. Human sunscreen is not suitable for animal use due to the chemicals used in it, just as human toothpaste contains too much fluoride for animal use, and therefore ONLY an animal-specific product should be used. These are safe if ingested by animals (for example by licking or grooming their nose)
• Ensure that the ambient temperature of animals housed in outdoor enclosures is monitored – confined spaces can become even warmer than the air temperature when exposed directly to the sun

How do you recognize if your dog is sunburned and what should you do?

A dog’s sunburn is a lot like ours: pink, tender skin that can cause blisters. If a heat burn is observed, a veterinarian should be consulted. In the meantime, cooling the area by running cold water over it may provide some pain relief. Just like humans, animals can burn if their skin is exposed to the sun without protection.

This is a guest post by Dr. Anna Foreman. Would you like to write for us? Visit www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/essay-submission or email [email protected]