Sunscreen for dogs

Are you one of those who use sun protection for your dog or cat or those who do not?Whatever the answer, you should know that, despite their peeling, they can also suffer problems on their skin due to sun exposure.That’s why, especially during the summer, when the sunlights are much more intense and you spend more time outdoors with your pets, you’ll have to take certain precautions to protect their skin.We tell you some of the keys you should keep in mind when using sun protectors for your dog or cat and avoiding dermatological problems.

Hair, a natural protector

The puppy and kittle palage not only escapes them from the cold in winter but is also a fantastic natural solar protector.Therefore, before raping your pet in summer thinking it’s going to be “more fresh”, you’ll have to keep in mind that this will make your skin more exposed to the rays of the sun and may suffer burns more easily.

However, there are certain areas of your body that need extra protection because of the lack of that defence barrier that is the pelage, such as the hole, the tip of the nose, the tip of the ears, the abdomen or the internal areas of the legs.Applying sun protection to your pet in these parts of your body will be a safe value to avoid dermatological injury or more serious problems, such as skin cancer.

The races that need the most care

Certain dog and cat races are more delicate and vulnerable to the rays of the sun, so care for them will be more necessary.The dog races that are more likely to suffer burns on their skin are dalmata, pitbulls, boxers, whippets, staffordshire bull terriers and, of course, those who are albinos.In general, short and soft, white or clear, and clear or rosacea skin dogs are more delicate with regard to skin conditions, compared to those with dark and long hair, which are less vulnerable to sun exposure.

The same happens in the case of cats, so the races with less hairy, thinner or white color will be the ones that most protection need, such as angora, ragdoll or sphynx, which lacks hair.

What products to use

Today, the market offers a multitude of specific products to protect your hairy companion from the sun's rays, with different factors and texture.You can find them in cream form, in gel or aerosol, everything will depend on your taste.But always keep in mind that the most suitable will be to use a solar protection factor equal or greater than 30 spf, which is hypoallergenic and which does not contain fragrances or artificial colorants.Also see that among the ingredients of the lotion are not zinc oxide, octyl salicylate and paraaminobenzoic (PABA), as they are harmful to animals.

If you don’t have special solar creams for your pets, you should not use human protectors, because the pH of their skin is different and the composition of the lotions is not the same.In case of an emergency and not being able to go to an animal store, the best alternative will be to apply sun cream for babies, already with more delicate with the skin and do not contain colorants or artificial fragrances, but you will have to check as long as it does not contain any of the toxic ingredients for the animals mentioned above.

How to Apply Protection

• Apply the lotion or spray with a soft massage in the most vulnerable areas of your pet, such as those named above.
• In case your dog or cat lacks hair, the product applies to the whole body.
• Always read the product's instructions before application.
• Avoid the area in which the lotion has been placed in the minutes after its application to favor its absorption.
• If you discover a strange burning or splash on your skin, do not hesitate to consult with your veterinarian.