Sunburn in Dogs

Dogs can get sunburn, even the long-coated breeds. They will usually burn where their coats are the thinnest which is where the sun is most likely to penetrate and reach. Dogs with thinning coats, bald patches or light-coloured fur are also more at risk than those which thicker, darker coats.

The most common places for dogs to burn are their stomachs, ears, nose, and eyelids, anywhere the skin might be most exposed to the sun and more likely to catch.

The places your pets often catch sunburn are often more sensitive areas so they can be quite painful. Some symptoms are very similar to sunburn in people. You’re going to be more likely to notice it when it looks red and inflamed after coming in from the sun. Signs of sunburn in dogs include:

A dog will generally be quite irritable around those areas and if they burn their tummy, they may even appear quite restless as lying down can be uncomfortable for them, so you’ll notice a lot of pacing and reluctance to settle down.

Severe sunburn should always be examined and treated by a vet, like the Jolly Groomer. If your pup has been in the sun and comes inside with some mind sunburn, chances are you can treat it at home for a few days and they will be ok. Treatment for mild sunburn includes nice comforting cold compresses to soothe any discomfort and keeping them away from direct sunlight until their skin is looking better.

You may have to swap your afternoon walks to walking before the sun fully rises or after it starts to go down when the day becomes nice and cool for them.

If your dog has severe sunburn, they will more likely than not need a course of pain killers and may even need to be put on a drip to make sure they have plenty of fluids in their system. If you’re not sure how severe their sunburn is, you can give your vet a call to talk through their symptoms for advice.

As ever, prevention is better than having to treat sunburn and there are several ways to prevent your pup getting sunburn. First, you should avoid letting them sunbathe for long periods in the garden. Provide plenty of shaded areas for them to relax on hot days and if they can’t be trusted to take themselves off to relax in the shade then you will have to restrict their unsupervised outdoor time so you can keep an eye on them.

Avoid walking them in the middle of the day to protect their paws from the burning sun and avoid sunburn. Any prolonged period in the sun can cause sunburn, even if they’re walking around. Take them on nice shady walks closer to the morning or evening so they can benefit from the lower sun and lower temperatures.

Sunscreen is a great way to prevent your dog from getting sunburn although you should take the time to find a pet safe product manufactured especially for pups. Human sunscreen may contain chemicals but if a product is made specifically for dogs, you know there is nothing harmful to them in there.

The Paws Right There Sun Protection Pet Balm is a great protection for your four legged friends in the sun. It’s natural, vegan, and totally safe for your pets. It can be placed anywhere your dog has thin fur and needs protection from the sun.

Applying sunscreen to your pup is just as easy as protecting yourself against the sun. A nice thick layer can be placed on your dog’s skin using your fingers to cover anywhere their skin may be exposed to the sun. Applying multiple layers is advisable and topping up frequently, especially on areas like the nose where it may get licked off throughout the day.

Applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before they go outside on a warm day means they will be protected against the sun, and you won’t have to worry about treating any sunburn.

For everything you need to protect your pooch from the sun this summer and all your other doggy essentials, check out our latest range in-store and online.