When we plan a day outdoors with our dogs, whether it's a trip to the lake, a beach vacation, a camping weekend, or simply an afternoon in the backyard, most of us do a pretty good job of thinking about their safety.
We pack plenty of fresh water. We look for shade. We pay attention to hot pavement, watch for signs of heat illness, and make sure our dogs have opportunities to cool down. If we're spending time on the water, a properly fitted life jacket is often part of the packing list too.
These are all important steps, and they can make a huge difference in keeping our dogs safe during the summer months.
But until recently, there was one thing I had never really considered.
Sun protection.
If someone had asked me a year ago if dogs needed sunscreen, I'm honestly not sure what I would have said. It simply wasn't something I had ever discussed with my veterinarian or spent much time thinking about.
That all changed because of one of my own dogs, Maple.
Maple is my sweet 8-year-old pit mix rescue. She's survived heartworm treatment, loves going for car rides, and is a bit of a diva when it comes to mealtime. A plain bowl of food? She'll eat it… eventually. But give her a puzzle toy, snuffle mat, or frozen enrichment treat, and you've got one happy girl.
Thunderstorms, however, are definitely not her favorite thing.
If she had her choice, she'd much rather spend the afternoon stretched out in the sunshine. If there's a warm patch of grass in the yard, you can bet she's already claimed it. Watching her relax in the sun always made me smile, and I simply thought I was letting her enjoy one of her favorite things.
Unfortunately, this summer reminded me that even the things our dogs love can come with risks we don't always recognize.
As much as Maple enjoys being outside, I never gave much thought to the areas of her body that weren't protected by her coat.
She has very light skin on her abdomen with very little hair covering it, and a few months ago I noticed something there that just didn't seem quite right. I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it was worth having my veterinarian take a look.
I'm very thankful I did.
After surgery, Maple's pathology report came back with diagnoses of squamous cell carcinoma, solar vasculopathy, and a melanocytic tumor.
I'll be honest—I had never even heard the term solar vasculopathy before.
Like most pet owners, I went home and started reading, asking questions, and trying to better understand exactly what those diagnoses meant. While there isn't always one single cause for skin tumors or cancer, I learned that prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays is a known risk factor for certain skin conditions and some skin cancers, particularly in dogs with lightly pigmented skin and areas with little or no hair.
It was something I had simply never thought much about before.
As pet parents, we work hard to keep our dogs healthy.
We schedule wellness exams, stay current on vaccinations, use flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, feed a balanced diet, and make sure our dogs get plenty of exercise and enrichment.
When summer arrives, we naturally think about keeping them hydrated, providing shade, protecting their paws from hot pavement, and watching for signs of heat illness.
But until Maple, sunscreen had never made my list.
The more I learned, the more I realized this isn't something many pet owners think about, yet for some dogs, it can be just as important as the other precautions we already take.
Dogs with light-colored or pink skin, short coats, thin hair, or areas with little hair—especially on the abdomen, ears, nose, and around the eyes—may be more susceptible to sun damage.
That doesn't mean they shouldn't enjoy being outdoors.
It simply means we should help them enjoy it safely.
After talking with my veterinarian and learning more about sun safety, here are a few things I'll be doing differently with Maple moving forward.
Use a dog-safe sunscreen. If your veterinarian recommends sunscreen for your dog, be sure to use one specifically made for dogs. Human sunscreen can contain ingredients that may be harmful if licked.
Provide plenty of shade. Whether you're relaxing in the backyard, spending the day at the lake, or enjoying a family vacation, make sure your dog has a cool, shaded place to rest.
Plan around the strongest sun. Longer walks and outdoor adventures are often more comfortable in the early morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler and UV exposure is generally lower.
Consider protective clothing. Lightweight UV-protective shirts can be a great option for dogs with sensitive or lightly pigmented skin that spend a lot of time outdoors.
Know what's normal for your dog. Check your dog's skin regularly, especially areas with less hair. If you notice a sore that doesn't heal, a new lump, changes in skin color, or anything that just doesn't seem right, don't hesitate to have your veterinarian take a look.
As you're getting ready for your next outdoor adventure, here's a quick checklist to help keep your dog safe:
Fresh water
Plenty of shade
Protection from hot pavement
Watch for signs of heat illness
A properly fitted life jacket for water activities
Dog-safe sunscreen, if recommended by your veterinarian
Regular skin checks, especially for dogs with lightly pigmented skin
The good news is that Maple is healing well, and for that I'm incredibly thankful.
She's still the same sweet dog who loves car rides, expects her meals to be served in a puzzle toy, dislikes thunderstorms, and will always search for the sunniest spot in the yard.
The difference is that now I'll be looking at those sunny afternoons a little differently.
We'll be more intentional about protecting her skin by making sure she has plenty of shade, limiting long periods of direct sun when possible, talking with our veterinarian about the best sunscreen for her, and considering UV-protective clothing when appropriate.
She still gets to enjoy doing what she loves—we're just going to do it a little more safely.
One of the greatest things about being a pet parent is that our dogs are always teaching us something.
This was one lesson I wish I had learned sooner, but I'm grateful Maple gave me the opportunity to learn it—and to share it with others.
My hope is that her story simply encourages you to take a few extra moments to think about sun protection the next time you and your dog head outdoors.
Sometimes it's the little things we learn along the way that make the biggest difference.
Wishing you and your four-legged family members a happy, healthy, and safe summer!
This article shares our personal experience and is intended for educational purposes only. Every dog is different, so if you have questions about your dog's skin or whether sunscreen is appropriate for your pet, please consult your veterinarian.
Tags: Knowledge
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