Like us, our pets have to be careful about soaking up too much sun, as excessive sun exposure in animals can lead to conditions including heatstroke, sunburn and skin cancer. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your cat or dog from these issues while still enjoying the sunshine together.
Find out about the dangers of sun exposure and some preventative measures you can take to keep your pet safe, below.
The Dangers of Sun Exposure
If your dog or cat spends too much time in the sun, they may be at risk for the following conditions:
Dehydration: losing fluid and not having access to sufficient water to replace it will cause your dog or cat to dehydrate, says Dr. Joanne Intile, a clinical assistant professor of medical oncology at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Tell-tale signs of dehydration in pets include sunken eyes, sticky gums, lethargy, weakness and prolonged time for skin to return to normal position when you lightly pinch it upwards.
Heatstroke: when pets overheat, their body temperatures rise above normal without resolution, which can cause organ systems to shut down and can be fatal, says Intile. Initial signs of heatstroke usually include excessive panting and reluctance to walk. Signs also include collapse, weakness, loss of consciousness, vomiting/diarrhea, seizures and red, blue or gray gums.
Sunburn: pets can get sunburned just like people, and their risk of burn is greater if they spend time in direct sunlight at peak-intensity hours and in high-altitude areas where the intensity of the sun is most severe, says Dr. Britt Levy, a resident in veterinary dermatology at NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Sunburn typically affects white or light-colored dogs or dogs with thin hair or damaged areas of skin. “That said, an indoor-only white cat who sleeps all day in the window could be equally at risk as one who goes outside,” says Levy. In dogs, the top of the muzzle and the underbelly are the most commonly affected areas. In cats, sunburn most commonly affects the tips of the ears, though it can also be seen on the face.
Can Pets Get Skin Cancer?
Excessive sun exposure can also cause skin cancer in pets, specifically tumors of skin cells and tumors of blood vessels that reside in the skin, says Intile. These tumors can also occur along the third eyelids of affected animals. “We see lesions anywhere on their body, but the ears and nose and around the eyes are the most common sites,” says Intile.
In general, two significant factors that increase a dog or cat's risk for sunburn, and therefore skin cancer, include having light-colored hair and skin and the degree of exposure to direct sunlight, Levy says.
Dogs with sparse coats and lightly-colored noses are also at risk, adds Intile. This includes Pitbulls, Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, Whippets and Australian Shepherds. However, “any dog can develop a sun-induced skin tumor,” says Intile.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to tell if a lesion is cancerous or not simply by looking at it, says Intile. “The best option is to have a veterinarian evaluate any new lump, bump, or abnormal region.” Skin tumors vary in size and can look like flat plaques or be ulcerated, raised, red and irritated. Tumors of blood vessels can appear as "blood blister"-like lesions known as hemangiomas. These hemangiomas can worsen and become cancerous tumors known as hemangiosarcomas.
How to Protect Your Pet in the Sun
Consider the following tips to prevent your pet from suffering the effects of excessive sun exposure:
Consider protective clothing or sunsuits for dogs: if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, you may want to invest in a protective shirt or vest specifically designed for dogs, says Levy. They have built-in UV protection and cooling properties. “These products may be helpful for protecting dogs who enjoy sunbathing on their backs and exposing the skin on their abdomen to the sun,” adds Intile.
Use sunblock: for vulnerable areas on your pet’s body that cannot be covered, consider a pet-safe sunscreen, says Levy. Look for sunblock that’s safe if ingested, but also offers broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB minimum SPF30) protection. Typically, veterinarians recommend using sunblock that is used for babies or children, adds Intile. Avoid products with zinc oxide, PABA (para aminobenzoic acid), or octyl salicylate, as those are toxic to your pet. “Pets will tend to lick the product off once applied,” says Intile, “and this can cause illness, so usually it's hard to keep the product on the pet.” Be sure to reapply often throughout the day.
Use UV-blocking filters on windows and doors: while some FDA-approved dog sunblock exists, there are none for cats, says Levy. “Keeping your feline indoors, and using window shades, tinted window screens or stickers is probably the safest way [to prevent excessive sun exposure].”
Avoid the sun during peak hours: try to keep your pets out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on exceptionally hot days. This is particularly important if you live in a high-altitude area.
Know your pet: if your pet is a brachycephalic breed, like a Bulldog, it should probably never spend too much time in the sun. These breeds have more trouble panting and dissipating heat than other dogs, Intile says, so they can be at an even greater risk of overheating.