When the sun is shining and the skies are blue, it might feel like the perfect time for you and your dog to head outdoors. But while you're lathering up with your own sunscreen, have you ever considered your dog's sunscreen?
Yes, you read that right — dogs can get sunburn too! "Like us, a dog will get sunburn if their skin is exposed to the hot sun for too long. And like with humans, dog sunburn has a warm, reddish-pink appearance and is equally uncomfortable.", say the experts at Tails.com.
Best sunscreen for dogs at a glance
While you may have packed a travel water bowl or even an umbrella to keep them cool, they may need some extra protection from the sun. But don't worry — we've found the best sunscreen for dogs. Whether it’s a leisurely walk in the park, a hiking trail, or simply lounging in the backyard, these creams, sprays, and wipes should do the trick.
We've also spoken to our friends at Tails.com, who have shared some more expert advice and tips on how to protect your pooch during sunny weather.
Best for a dog sunscreen spray
Petkin/AmazonWith over 2,000 reviews and a 4.5 star-rating on Amazon, this Petkin SPF15 Sunscreen Spray is certainly popular and it's easy to see why. Firstly, it has a non-greasy formula that "smells nice and is easy to apply" (according to customers).
They also say that the "spray is an ideal size for backpacks" and that you only "need a small amount", so it should provide many applications! A few people have said that the pump may get blocked and stop working, but running it under a warm tap for a minute or so is likely to release the blockage.
Pros
- Lightweight formula that's easy to apply
- Vanilla and coconut scent
Cons
- Pump could become blocked (rinse it with warm water to unblock)
| Sun protection factor: | SPF15 |
| Volume: | 120ml |
| Form: | Spray |
Best for dog sunscreen wipes
Petkin/AmazonUp next is a budget-friendly option from Petkin in the form of sunscreen wipes. There are 20 in a pack and all you need to do is gently wipe them over their ears, muzzle, nose or whole coat for some sun protection. One customer said that they "absolutely love them. I have a white face Boston who runs when she sees a sun screen bottle (so I needed an alternative). These wipes are so easy and are perfect for holidays."
lanolin, aloe and chamomile are the calming and soothing natural ingredients within the sunscreen. As some customers have pointed out, these can dry quickly if left opened or in the sun, so always keep them in a cool, dark place.
Pros
- Equivalent to SP15
- Contains natural, calming ingredients such as lanolin, aloe and chamomile
Cons
- May dry out, so keep closed when not in use and away from direct sunlight
| Sun protection factor: | SPF15 |
| Volume: | 50ml |
| Form: | 20 wipes |
Best for a dog sunscreen balm
Be:SunSafe/AmazonMade with citronella for an insect-repelling formula, this Be
This balm makes an ideal nose sunscreen for their snout, as this is one of the areas that's most susceptible to sun damage. We love that it contains no preservatives and is both MIT and and paraben-free. Customers have praised the product, saying that it "works well", however, some didn't like the greasy feeling it can create.
Pros
- Repels insects to prevent irritation and/or bites
- Suitable for sensitive skin, due to beeswax, shea butter and chamomile
Cons
- May feel greasy
| Sun protection factor: | SPF15 |
| Volume: | 60ml |
| Form: | Oil-based balm |
Best natural-based sunscreen for dogs
Warren London/AmazonRich in Vitamin C, this sunscreen for dogs conditions their skin whilst protecting it. Natural ingredients such as grapefruit peel oil, orange oil, aloe vera and water make up the formula. Warren London suggest applying it every two hours or so and waiting for it to sink in before letting your pooch into direct sunlight.
However, some customers have noticed that their dog doesn't like the spray being applied to their skin, perhaps due to the sound it makes or the smell, so we recommend spraying it onto your hands first, then rubbing it in.
Pros
- Non-toxic blend
- Formulated with aloe vera, which conditions and mositurises the skin
Cons
- Expensive, but is very popular and has several natural ingredients
| Capacity: | 120ml |
| Form: | Spray |
Best dog-friendly sunscreen balm
AmazonWhether your dog's frightened of a spray bottle, or you want a more precise application, we recommend the Petkin Sunscreen Stick. Similar to a roll-on, you lightly rub it onto you canine's body, focusing on areas which are prone to sunburn.
Here's what customers had to say: "Soft stick, applies easily, was well accepted and has a gentle scent".
Pros
- Soft formula that can be rolled onto their skin
- Easy to remove by rinsing with water
Cons
- Small pack size, but it's compact shape makes it highly portable
| Sun protection factor: | SPF15 |
| Volume: | 14.1g |
| Format: | Cream (in stick form) |
Can dogs get sunburnt?
Yes. Dogs with a very light skin and coat are at a high risk of getting sunburnt, this is "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.", says Tails.com.
You can prevent sunburn by keeping your dog out of direct sunlight, using dog-friendly sunscreen or limiting the amount of time they spend in it. When the weather's particularly hot, only walk them at cooler times of the day and check if it's too hot to walk your dog by using the five-second test.
The dog breeds that are most at risk of sunburn include:
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Boxer
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Bull terrier
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Dachshund
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Dalmatian
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French bulldog
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Greyhound
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Staffordshire bull terrier
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West Highland white terrier
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Whippet
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Hairless breeds, like the Chinese crested dog and Peruvian Inca Orchid
Do dogs really need sunscreen?
“If you’re heading out into the sunshine with your dog and there’s no guarantee of a shady safe space for them to retreat to, then we recommend you use sunscreen on the sensitive areas of their body, like the pink skin around the ears, lips and groin."
“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 your dog goes swimming while wearing sunscreen, it can wash off, so remember to reapply when they’re out of the water. And be prepared to do this quite frequently based on how often your dog decides to cool off.”
Can you use human sunscreen on dogs?
Do not use any human sunscreens on dogs that contain zinc, as whether ingested or absorbed through the skin, zinc can damage a canine's red blood cells, giving them anaemia which can be life-threatening.
“If you’re in a bind and dog sunscreen isn’t readily available, you can use sunscreens designed for babies or young children.", says Tails.com.
"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."
How to keep your dog cool
“For those long summer days and humid nights, we recommend investing in a cooling mat to give your dog somewhere to literally chill out. A wet towel also works a treat.", but make sure the water doesn't get warm, or this can make the situation worse!
“If your dog fancies cooling down in style nothing beats a frozen bandana, yes, you read that right. Simply rinse in water, squeeze out most of the liquid and fold so it’s ready to wear. Then just pop in the freezer for a refreshing and super smart way to cool off." A dog cooling vest can work just as well.
“For a complete cool-down, set up a shallow paddling pool for your dog to splash around in – just make sure there’s room in case you can’t resist joining them! If your dog prefers the stay inside, keep the curtains closed to keep the heat out and set up a fan for the ultimate chill out den.”
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and spending time with her pet dogs, tortoise and chickens.