Can Pets get Sunburned?
We live in Denver and love to go hiking in the
mountains, where the air is thin, and where
natural sun protection is non-existant. Even the
tannest of our out-of-state friends needs to be
reminded to bring sunblock.
But what about their dogs that they bring out for
vacation? Can they get sunburned? And if so,
what can we do to prevent it?
Tanya
Boulder, CO
Cats and dogs absolutely can suffer from sunburn.
Short haired or hairless pets, such as Sphynx cats, Dalmatians and Greyhounds can burn on their backs if they spend time in the sun. Since most pets have sparse coats on their bellies, any pet that likes to lie on its back in the sun may suffer from a sunburned abdomen. As well, all pets are at risk of sunburn on their ears and noses.
Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can lead to problems other than sunburn. In dogs, the sun can stimulate the immune system to cause hair loss, color changes, and scabbing on the top of the nose. In cats with white hair, the sun often contributes to the development of a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
Skin damage due to solar radiation is most common during the summer. Pets who live in or visit high altitude or tropical areas are at highest risk.
The simplest way to avoid sunburn and other sun-related problems is to keep pets indoors or in the shade during peak sun hours (from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm). If that is not possible, you can apply non-toxic, water resistant human sunscreen to the areas that are most likely to burn. Try to keep your pet from licking it off. As well, dogs with thin haircoats can wear a T-shirt to protect their backs from the sun during hikes.
Regardless of where you live, it is important to remember that the sun can injure your pet, just like it can injure you.
You have questions. 
Collies can get it if you shave them, I think. They have Collie Nose, where sometimes, where the pink area on their nose is sensitive to sunlight and needs sunscreen applied to it. Breeds similar to Collies (like Shelties) can get it too.
I have frequently read that all animals with long hair can burn if the hair is cut and that they actually get hotter because the long hair helps keep the heat and sun off the skin — in other words, shaving to cool an animal is actually more harmful. Anyone else heard this?
It is essential to apply sunblock to the ears and noses of white cats, or pets with sparse hair on their ears. My mother’s cat lived wild for many years before she took her in, and earlier this year had to have extensive laser treatment and her ear tips amputated due to skin cancer.
[…] All dogs should have access to water at all times. This is especially important if overheating is a concern. Shaving your dog will help to prevent overheating, but remember that it will increase his risk of sunburn. […]
Great article. I never thought of pets getting sunburn until my old Rhodesian Ridgeback lay in the sun with his tummy exposed. Later, I noticed it was quite pink which turned to a nice tan later on.
my dog had a tplo surgery. his skin is turning black at the shaved section and not black at the fur. Is this sunburn? black skin disease? other?