Protect Your Pets from Sunburn

Before stepping out to enjoy the summer weather, you should protect your pet as well as yourself from the harmful effects of too much sun.

Sunlight is healthy for pets as it is for people; sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D, which protects the skin and helps balance the body’s calcium levels and metabolism. However, too much of anything can be harmful, and too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburn, or solar dermatitis, in cats and dogs.

According to Dr. Karen Campbell, veterinary dermatologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, sunburn starts as redness and hair loss on the ear tips, bridge of the nose, or abdomen and can lead to skin ulceration, infection, and carcinoma. Excessive sun exposure can also exacerbate existing skin problems.

Certain breeds of cats and dogs may be predisposed to sunburn. “White cats are those that most commonly get sunburn, usually on the tips of the ears,” explains Dr. Campbell. “Cats don’t need to be outdoors to get sunburn; the UV radiation can pass through windows.”

Sunburn is also common in pale and short-haired dogs, usually on the bridge of the nose, the abdomen, groin, and insides of the legs. “The belly is prone to sunburn because of sunlight that reflects up from the sidewalk. Similarly, dogs that spend a lot of time at beaches can get sunburn from sun reflecting up from the hot sand,” says Dr. Campbell.

Sunburn and repeated, excessive exposure to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma, in dogs and cats as it does in humans. Therefore, breeds that are predisposed to cancer, such as boxers and Weimaraners, need extra protection from the sun.

Sunburn can also cause skin ulceration, leaving the skin susceptible to opportunistic bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Sun exposure may also exacerbate autoimmune skin diseases in which the immune system attacks skin cells, such as pemphigus and lupus. As the sun damages the skin, skin cells die and can release proteins that inappropriately trigger the immune system.

To protect pets from sunburn and its consequences, Dr. Campbell recommends applying sunblock on the small susceptible areas of skin, such as the bridge of the nose and the ear tips. You can also apply a line of sunblock along any part in the fur along the head or back. For cats, sunblock is usually sufficient.

For dogs, sunblock is usually not effective on the abdomen, since it can rub off in tall grass, wash off at the beach, or be easily licked off by the dog or its playmates. “There are spandex-type bodysuits on the market designed to block UV radiation,” says Dr. Campbell. “I highly recommend these for dogs who spend a lot of time outside, especially dogs who visit the beach.”

Although the idea of bringing a bodysuit-clad dog to the park or beach may sound ridiculous or embarrassing, it may be the most effective and important sun protection you can provide for your pet. Dr. Campbell explains that doggie bodysuits are common at some beaches, and “it doesn’t look ridiculous if all the other dogs are wearing one.”

For more information about solar dermatitis in pets, contact your local veterinarian.

Keeping my baby from getting a sunburn?

The best way to protect your baby is to keep your baby out of direct sunlight as much as possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Routinely dress him in a hat, lightweight pants, and a long-sleeved shirt for outings during the middle of the day. Tightly woven clothing protects better than loosely woven fabrics (to see how tight the weave is, hold the fabric up to a light — the less light that shines through, the better). Add UV-protective sunglasses if your baby will wear them. Use an umbrella, stroller canopy, or sun-protective tent to protect your baby while he’s outside.

Until August 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended against using any type of sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months, because their skin’s ability to metabolize and excrete chemicals may not be fully developed. This recommendation has been revised somewhat. You can use sunscreen on babies under 6 months if adequate clothing and shade aren’t available, but check with your pediatrician first. That doesn’t mean you should slather your baby in sunblock, though. Just apply a small amount of lotion to exposed areas.

For babies over 6 months, use a waterproof sunscreen designed for children. Choose a sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum,” which means it protects against both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sunscreens are good to use on particularly sensitive spots, such as the nose and lips.

The AAP and American Academy of Dermatology recommend an SPF of at least 15, but many experts recommend SPF 30 or higher for babies, and many baby sunscreen formulas have even higher SPFs. If possible, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply it at least every two hours, especially if your baby has been playing in the water or has been sweating (even if the sunscreen is waterproof).

When trying a new sunscreen, do a patch test on your child’s back to make sure he doesn’t have a reaction to it. If he does develop a rash or redness at the test site, choose a hypoallergenic formula instead.