✔️Ingredients: Unfortunately, you can't share your favorite sunscreen with your dog. Some active ingredients in human sunscreen are toxic to pets, so make sure your dog's protectant is free of zinc oxide, PABA and fragrance. Also, look for something that is waterproof and has a minimum SPF of 15, but 30+ is better.
There are some sunscreens created specifically for pets, but using baby sunscreen is also an option. Most human sunscreens have ingestion warnings because the ingredients can be toxic if a child or dog ingests them, so if your pet is likely to lick it, look for a pet-specific sunscreen.
Use hats, shirts or bodysuits to cover your dog's skin from sun exposure. Look for items made with light and breathable fabric to help keep your dog as cool as possible. Also look for dog goggles or sunglasses to protect your dog's eyes from harmful sun rays.
Do Dogs Need Sunscreen? Yes, you should put sunscreen on your dog. “It's actually very important to put sunscreen on dogs, especially those with light skin and white fur or hair,” says Richard Goldstein, DVM, and chief medical officer of the Animal Medical Center in New York City.
Epi-Pet sun protector spray has 30 SPF and is effective in reducing both UVA and UVB rays. So far, it's the only FDA-approved pet sunscreen, so you can be sure your dog will be safe when wearing it.
Just like human beings, dogs can become sunburned with too much sun exposure. Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells quickly—often in less than one hour. Sunburn is most common with summertime activities, but can occur anywhere or anytime sun exposure is high. This includes high altitude locations.
Aloe Vera is not safe for dogs to ingest, but it is safe to put on their skin. It is important to practice caution when using Aloe Vera. Do not use it internally on your dog or allow your pet to ingest it. If your dog accidentally licks or ingests Aloe Vera, carefully monitor his behavior for potential side effects.
In general, veterinarians recommend that your pets get a minimum of 20 to 40 minutes of direct outdoor sunlight daily. Light filtered through glass windows may feel good to your dog or cat, but it lacks ultraviolet rays and as such won't impart the same health benefits.
Why Sunscreen is Important for Australian Dogs. Australian summers can get hot and, just like humans, dogs can get sunburn. Using a dog sunscreen can help protect your pet from UV rays. As animals skin has a different pH level to humans, they need a specific type of sunscreen to suit their skin.
Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray
In addition to UVB absorbers, this product also contains benzophenone-3, aka oxybenzone, to also protect your pup from sunrays in the UVA spectrum. According to its manufacturer, the chemical sunscreen cocktail in this product should provide them with an equivalent of 30-40 SPF.
Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Are the Only Natural Sunscreen Active Ingredients. As we mentioned before, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the only ingredients approved by the FDA to give your sunscreen a natural SPF. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are minerals, naturally found in the earth.
As a general rule, walking your dog at any temperature below 20C is ideal. Anything above 20C can cause your dog to become dehydrated and very hot very quickly. The hotter the temperature, the higher the risk to your dog. As the temperature increases, even by just 1C, the risk to your dog increases too.
Dogs love laying in the sun because it feels good, and because it's a good source of Vitamin D. We love sunbathing, whether it's at the local beach or in our own backyard. Sunglasses on, sun tan lotion applied, and a nice warm towel on the ground.
In Vets Now's assessment of temperatures for walking your dog, they state that between 20 and 23 degrees has a six out of 10 risk rating and that rigorous exercise in this heat could lead to heatstroke. An eight out of ten rating is given for 24-27 degrees celsius and they advise that extreme caution must be taken.
It's safe to feed your dog coconut oil. But some potential reactions or digestive problems can occur. If you give your dog too much coconut oil, they can get diarrhea. Your veterinarian will let you know a healthy amount to give your dog.
The plant contains a chemical called saponin, which is toxic to animals and children. Ingestion of aloe vera can cause excessive vomiting, severe diarrhea, and low blood sugar. In fact, the toxicity can be so extreme as to cause the breakdown of red blood cells, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Coconut Oil: Moisturizing and soothing, using some coconut oil on the irritated skin, may help reduce itching and skin irritation. Vitamin E: An antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation and skin damage; you can apply Vitamin E oil directly on your dog's skin.
You'll be able to tell your dog is sunburned if you see red or pink skin, especially near the more vulnerable areas like the ears, eyes, and nose. You can treat the burns topically by using aloe vera, witch hazel, or coconut oil—soothing products that won't sting your dog's skin, Wheeler says.
Natural sunscreen is easy to make at home. Instructions: In a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl placed over a pot of simmering water, melt the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax pellets together until fully melted. Once melted, remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Bottom line: coconut oil fails to prevent most of the damaging and harmful UVA and UVB rays that you're exposed to when in the sun. While health bloggers posing as experts may tell you that it's a good choice, all scientific studies point to one conclusion: it is not safe to use coconut oil as sunblock*.
If you can't hold the back of your hand to the pavement outside for more than a few seconds, it's too hot for your pet. On hot, humid days, you should bring your pet inside if the indoor environment is cooler (for example, if you have air conditioning).