Sun Safe Tips for Pets
This dog is protected from the sun’s rays with UV Skinz.
Animals need protection from the sun too. You can help keep your pets safe during the hot summer months by making sure they have access to shade and plenty of water. It’s best for pets to avoid direct sunlight, especially the mid-day sun.
Like people, dogs and cats can get sunburn. To help avoid this, you can apply sunblock to your pets most sensitive skin, such as their nose and ears. Make sure to use sunblock if your pet has short hair or recently got a haircut. Certain ingredients found in regular sunscreens, such as zinc oxide, can cause problems for dogs, so we recommend using special sunblock made specifically for pets.
Seth, son of UV Skinz founder Rhonda and her late husband Darren, hang out with furry friends at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary in Hawaii. He’s also wearing his UV Skinz.
While there are sprays, balms and lotions to help keep domesticated animals safe from the sun, those in the wild use a variety of methods to protect themselves. Here are some fun facts from the American Academy of Dermatology:
- A hippopotamus safeguards its skin by leaking a pink oil substance. This oil keeps its skin from drying out and protects it from the sun’s impact.
- Meerkats have black rings around their eyes to absorb the sun’s rays and guard against sun damage.
- Elephants often cover their bodies with sand and soil to help prevent sunburn.
- Giraffes have dark tongues which prevent them from getting sunburn while reaching up in the trees to eat.
Check back here next week to read about what foods us humans can eat for some natural sun protection.
