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Dog Sunburn
Dog sunburn can happen if a dog stays in the sun for a long time. The dog's nose, rims of the ears, and the tummy can get badly burned if
there is no protection from the sun.
Dogs (and cats) love the sun and, on sunny days, they just enjoy snoozing in the sun. Some people think that with their thick fur coats, dogs do not get sunburn easily.
That is not true. Dogs do get sunburn and it is just as painful for them as for us.
The most vulnerable parts to get sunburn for dogs are the nose, ears, around the eyes, and the tummy. The first sign of dog sunburn is redness and tenderness on these parts.
Sometimes, the edges of the dog's ears will become dry, cracked, or curling. In more serious cases, dog sunburn can lead to hair loss.
Prolonged exposure to the sun and serious sunburn can cause or aggravate existing skin problems, such as skin ulcers, infections, and even skin cancer.
Dog Sunburn and Breeds
Some breeds are more prone to sunburn than others due to their physical characteristics. Sunburn-prone dog breeds include:
- Dogs with short hair or no hair at all
- Dogs with white or light-colored hair
- Dogs with short legs (their tummies are closer to the ground and easier to get sunburn from sunlight reflected from the ground surface)
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Preventing Dog Sunburn
As always, prevention is better than cure. There are simple ways to prevent your dog from getting sunburn.
- Limit Your Dog's Exposure to the Sun
During the hot summer months, try to go out for walks in the early morning or evenings or seek shady trails. If you keep your dog outside, keep him in a fenced, shaded part
of the yard. If possible, let him inside the house during the hottest parts of the day. Even if your dog is inside the house, he may still get sunburn if he enjoys sleeping
by the sunny windows. You may need to keep the blinds or drapes closed during the brightest parts of the day.
- Use Sunscreen
The daily use of sunscreen is an effective way to protect your dog's skin from damage by the sun. However, when choosing a sunscreen for your dog, read the label carefully.
Some sunscreens (even those made especially for dogs) contain substances that can be toxic to your dog. Please visit our page on
Sunscreen for Dogs for more information.
- Clothing with UV Protection
Dogs with very thin fur can burn easily. You can help to keep them safe by putting them in some dog sun suits with UV protection.
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Natural Remedies for Dog Sunburn
Some veterinarians recommend using OTC spray-on anesthetics to ease the pain caused by sunburn. While these medications may kill the pain, they do not heal the burn.
It is better to use natural remedies that not only soothe the pain but also heal the burn. Here are some simple natural remedies for dog sunburn:
- Aloe Vera
The gel of aloe vera is perhaps one of the best remedies for sunburn. If you have an aloe plant, just break off a leaf and squeeze out the gel. Spread the gel on your dog's
sunburned sore spots. Alternatively, you can get an aloe cream and use as instructed on the label.
- Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural astringent with antiseptic properties. It can cool down burned, inflamed skin without the sting of alcohol. Simply use a cotton ball and apply
witch hazel to affected areas several times a day.
- Vitamin E
One way to heal your dog's burned nose is to break open a vitamin E capsule, squeeze out the oil, and dab it onto his nose once or twice a day. Vitamin E is an
antioxidant with healing properties. It can help heal your dog's nose and keep it from scarring.
- Herbal Moisturizer
If your dog gets sunburn, his skin will lose a significant amount of moisture, making it dry and sore. Help to restore his skin's natural moisture balance by applying a
natural moisturizer such as
Dr. Harvey's Healing Cream.
 This cream contains shea butter to moisturize the skin, as well as
healing herbs and oils such as aloe vera, goldenseal, calendula, and tea tree. It is a cream that can heal wounds from burns, rashes, cuts, hot spots and itching.
Related Topics
Sunscreen for Dogs
Dog Heat Stroke
TOP of Dog Sunburn
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