As the weather hots up in the UK, temperatures are likely to soar as high as 32C. The heat puts dogs at risk of dehydration and heatstroke, so it's important that owners do all they can to protect them in the warm weather.
Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, urges pet owners to keep sun exposure to a minimum and advises using sun cream on sensitive areas of the body. Sean says: "Not all dogs are smart enough to go in the shade and stay out of the sun, so try to be observant when your dog is outside on hot days."
Like humans, dogs can get sunburn if their skin is exposed to the hot sun for too long reports the Mirror. Sean added: "Some dogs are more prone to burn than others, such as those with thin hair, or with areas of less hair and more exposed skin.
"Dogs with a very light skin and coat are also a higher risk, because darker pigments protect the skin. Where your dog has lighter, pinker skin, it's more prone to get sunburn. The areas of the body at the most risk of sunburn are those where there is less hair, such as around the eyes, ears, lips and nose, and in the belly/groin area."
Dog breeds most at risk of sunburn include: West Highland white terrier, greyhound, bull terrier, French bulldog, boxer and Dalmatian. Sean said: "Like us, increased exposure to the sun and its UV rays can potentially lead to skin cancer in your dog. If you notice any unusual lumps, or a patch of skin that's changed colour, we recommend you take your dog to the vet to get them checked out."
Do dogs need to wear sun cream?
If you plan on taking your dog out in the sun without any guaranteed shade, sun cream is recommended to use on sensitive areas of the body, like the pink skin around the ears, lips and groin. Sean said: "Try to use a specialist dog sunscreen if you can - there are many dog-friendly brands out there that don't include some of the chemicals found in human sunscreen, like zinc oxide, PABA and artificial perfumes.
"While these extra ingredients are no harm to the skin itself, dogs do have a tendency to lick off their sunscreen, and these aren’t chemicals you want your dog to ingest. If you're in a bind and dog sunscreen isn't readily available, you can use sunscreens designed for babies or young children.
"These are also often made without some of the chemicals found in adult sunscreen for similar reasons, so can be safer for your dog to wear. Just be sure you check the label first."
