Pets Can Get Sunburned Too
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Which Pets are Most at Risk for Sunburn?
Do you have a white pet that spends time outside? Any pet is subject to sunburn, but a predominantly white dog or cat is the equivalent to a fair-skinned person in terms of sunburn potential. Other high-risk candidates include those dogs with poorly pigmented (pink) skin on eyelids and nose, sunbathers or those that have thin, very short or missing fur. Animals are usually covered with hair or dark skin that protects them from the sun’s harmful rays and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Any circumstance that removes this natural protection may allow the pet to receive enough UV radiation to develop a sunburn.
What Happens When Your Pet is Sunburned?
Initially, sunburned skin is red, painful and scaly. With continued exposure, bumps and nodules can develop. Sunburned pets will usually lick or scratch excessively at the affected areas. The skin becomes thickened, and the lesions may bleed easily. Sunburn can irritate or make existing skin conditions, such as allergies, worse. Just as in humans, repeated exposure and sun-damaged skin may predispose pets to several types of skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and hemangiosarcoma. A skin biopsy can differentiate between sun damage and skin cancer.
How Can You Prevent Sunburn in Pets?
Pets with the risk factors of white fur, poor pigmentation, sunbathing and hairless areas need to avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If it is not possible to keep them indoors, simply providing shade is not enough! Pets must be forced to get under it, because they don’t know about the sun’s harmful effects.
Sunscreen can and should be used on pets. There are some sunscreens created specifically for pets, but using an infant sunscreen is also an option. Look for one that is fragrance-free, non-staining and waterproof. The FDA has not established a test to determine SPF values in pets, but aim for UV barriers above SPF 15. Avoid sunscreens that contain zinc, because it may be harmful if ingested. Also, products containing octyl salicylate should not be used on cats. Apply liberally every four to six hours during sun exposure, and apply to the bridge of the nose, ear tips, skin around the lips, groin, inner thighs and any other areas where pigmentation is low. Fabrics that block UV exposure are commercially available for sun suits as well.
Pet owners with high-risk dogs and cats can take steps to prevent sunburn and skin cancer. Your veterinarian may have some other suggestions, but I like to tell folks that their white pets need to become vampires and stay out of the sun!
Dr. Carol Hillhouse owns two mixed animal practices in the Texas Panhandle: Carson County Veterinary Clinic and High Plains Animal Hospital.
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Hi Dr Hillhouse. Thanks for the great article on pets and sunburn. I’m Keith from Park City, Utah and my dog Alvin is a pink nose pitbull. We hike a good bit, sometimes mid-afternoon when sun is at it’s highest, but for no more than an hour — he’s a muscled boy and I think for that reason overheats easier than other dogs. For the high-sun hikes I’ve been putting children’s sunscreen on his nose and his one goofy ear that has a little of the pink under-ear exposed. Otherwise we go out for a couple hours after 6pm for our long hike of the day. A couple days ago I noticed some sores along his lower eyelids, about 1/4″ long. I never noticed them being swollen, but it looks like something may have blistered and burst, but again not terribly noticeable, no bleeding, maybe a tad more morning goop at the inner corners of his eyes. I’m thinking it was sunburn, and wondering if it’s safe to put an ointment, ie Neosporin, on the eyelid sores? If it heals in a day or two then moving forward I’ll avoid the mid-day hikes, but if it’s not healing I’ll bring him to the vet. In the future, should we be out camping or something of that nature in the midday, what do you recommend for sunscreen around the eyelids? Thx very much!
Hi, The picture of the white dog on here is exactly like my dog. He has a lot of pink skin showing. I live on the Gulf of Mexico so it is really hot here. My puppy is 9 months old and I have never had a white dog. He wants to go outside all the time. I understand your times 10-4 not to let him out. If he goes out I only let him for a couple if minutes. What can I use on his skin for a sunscreen that is good? Also in the winter when it’s cooler outside can he get a sunburn? Like today it’s cooler outside (mid October) it’s 73. Can he burn then?