As the nation gears up for warmer and sunnier days ahead, dog owners are being cautioned against leaving their furry friends exposed to the sun for too long.
This timely reminder from Everypaw Pet Insurance's in-house vet, Dr Anna Foreman, comes during Sun Awareness Week, which falls from May 6 until May 13, as concerns over canine sunburn and related issues continue to rise.
According to recent data from Everypaw, online searches for ‘dog nose sunburn' have surged by a staggering 200% in the last three months alone, while interest in ‘dog sun cream' has spiked by 175% over the same period.
Dr Foreman warns that medium-sized dogs, in particular, face an elevated risk of developing cancer compared to their larger or smaller counterparts – with Flat-coated Retrievers among the breeds identified with the highest mortality rates.
She said: ‘Dogs like to sunbathe for the same reasons we do – enjoying the warmth and bright light! However, much like with us, dogs can suffer from sunburn and heatstroke if they are in the sun for an excessive period of time.'
As awareness grows among pet owners regarding the risks of sun exposure for their canine companions, read on to find out how to keep your pooch safe in the sun.
As the nation gears up for warmer and sunnier days ahead, dog owners are being cautioned against leaving their furry friends exposed to the sun for too long (stock image)
How long should dogs be allowed in the sun for?
According to Dr Foreman, dogs should be limited to sunbathing for a maximum of 45 minutes to an hour when the sun is particularly intense, between the hours of 11am and 3pm.
It is much safer for dogs to be exercised or walked in the cooler early mornings before 8am or in the evenings after 8pm.
Generally, it is considered safe to walk your dog in temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius, although obese, large or flat faced breeds, as well as those suffering from other health conditions, should be monitored closely during hot weather.
Extreme caution should be taken when exercising any animal to any degree in temperatures above 24 degrees Celcius, as they will be at risk of heat stroke.
It is advised to always make sure a bowl of fresh water is available, as well as a shady spot for your pooch to escape to should it get too hot outside – they may also benefit from a clean, fresh water ‘pool' or cool mat too.
Dogs with breathing issues, such as pugs, French bulldogs and Shih Tzus, or those suffering from respiratory disease, should not be allowed to lie in the sun at all, as the need to pant to cool down can put strain on already compromised airways.
What are the dangers of dogs being outside in the sun for too long?
One of the biggest dangers to dogs who are exposed to the sun for too long is heatstroke – where the body's internal temperature rises to above 39.2 degrees Celsius due to being in external heat.
Brachycephalic breeds such as pugs and French bulldogs, are especially prone to heat stroke, while older dogs, as well as those with underlying health conditions, do not tolerate heat as well as younger, healthy ones.
Another risk associated with sun exposure in dogs is sunburn – especially among those with poorly pigmented skin, pink noses or ear tips, or a thin hair coat.
These breeds are also at an increased risk of developing skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma, which can lead to ear flaps (pinnae) needing to be removed, which can be very invasive.
Meanwhile, tumours on the nose are very difficult to remove in their entirety due to the tight skin and close association with the skull bone and cartilage.
Pavements are another risk to a dog's health while outside in hot weather, as they can burn your pooch's paws during walks.
Dr Foreman says: ‘If a pavement is too hot for us to place the back of our hand on for five seconds, it is too hot for our dog's paws.'
How can I spot if my dog is sunburned and what should I do?
According to Dr Foreman, a dog's sunburn will look similar to ours, which can likely develop into pink tender skin that may blister.
If physical heat burn can be seen, dog owners are urged to seek advice from their vet.
In the meantime, cooling the area by running cool water over it can provide some pain relief.
Like with humans, animals can become sunburned if their skin is exposed to the sun without protection, so animal-specific sun cream (not human) should be applied before going outside.
How can I keep my dogs and other pets safe in the sun?
Dr Foreman has recommended the following:
- Provide shady areas and cool surfaces for animals to rest in/on.
- Check pavement temperature before walking a dog in the sun.
- Make sure dogs always have clean fresh drinking water available when out in the sun to prevent dehydration.
- Make sure dogs with respiratory difficulties are discouraged from lying in the direct sun.
- Prevention is the best cure – in animals this is with sunscreen and by limiting sun exposure. Human sun cream is unsuitable for animal use due to the chemicals used within them, and so an animal specific one should only be used.
- Make sure the environmental temperature of animals housed outdoors in enclosures is monitored – enclosed spaces can become even hotter than the air temperature with direct sun exposure.
