Summertime gives us a chance to embrace lengthy daylight hours and head out for long walks with our four-legged friends – so you might want to consider the picking up some of the best sun cream for dogs.
The sun’s rays are more powerful during the summer months, and just as human skin is more prone to sunburn, so is your dog’s – especially if he has pink skin and short hair. But it’s not simply a case of a dab of sunscreen for you and one for him – you need to find a sun cream specifically designed to give the best protection for dogs. Believe it or not, you cannot use human sunscreen on your pooch. This is because most products designed for us contain zinc oxide, which is dangerous for dogs if they lick it. Bear in mind that even some sun creams marketed for animals do still contain zinc oxide, so check the ingredients and avoid these products.
Other important considerations for pup in summertime is the risk of heatstroke. Dogs cannot sweat, so are at risk of dehydration and overheating in hot temperatures. Keeping him cool is as easy as picking up one of the best dog cooling mats, or best dog cooling jackets. If you’re worried your pooch might not be drinking as much as he should, he might appreciate one of the best pet water fountains to keep his drink cool and fresh.
Best sun cream for dogs: take your pick
Petkin Doggy Sunmist
Form: Spray
Scent: Coconut
Size: 120ml
Reason to buy: Speedy application
Reason to avoid: Not ideal if your dog isn’t a fan of sprays, relatively low SPF
Simply spray on for instant sun protection, comparing to SPF15 on human sunscreens. This is a veterinarian-tested, non-greasy formula that can be removed with water. Safe to use on sensitive areas, such as ears, nose and muzzle.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com or chewy.com
Be:Loved Be:Sunsafe
Form: Balm
Scent: Citronella
Size: 60g
Reasons to buy: Ideal for use on a variety of pets and repels insects
Reasons to avoid: Relatively low SPF
A sun protection balm for four-legged friends – including dogs and horses – formulated using intensively nourishing ingredients. Not only does it provide the equivalent of SPF 15, it also repels insects.
Ingredients include vitamin A, E and F, beeswax, grapeseed oil, shea butter, coconut oil, citronella, chamomile, lavender, carrot seed and raspberry seed oil.
Tested on humans (“if it’s not good enough for us, it’s not good enough for our pets”).
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, notonthehighstreet.com
Dermoscent Sunfree
Form: Cream
Scent: Unscented
Size: 30ml
Reasons to buy: Great for sensitive pets
Reasons to avoid: Small bottle size
A zinc-free formula that’s non-greasy. It’s SPF 30 with a reapplication time of two hours, and has the added benefit of being a moisturiser.
It’s ideal for light-haired pets or those with sensitive skin or photo-aggravated diseases like lupus, and protects scarring.
Ingredients include vegetable glycerin and candelilla wax.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
Gold Label Sunguard
Form: Balm
Scent: Natural
Sizes: 100g or 250g
Reasons to buy: Natural formula
Reasons to avoid: Takes a bit more effort to apply
Gold Label Sunguard is a sunblock and soother designed for horses with areas that are susceptible to the rays of the sun, but is also suitable for other animals, including dogs. Contains only natural ingredients: shea butter, calamine and sunscreen SPF 30. It should be applied liberally to areas at risk especially pink skin.
We tested this on horses and rated it 8/10 – read our full Gold Label Sunguard review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or equus.co.uk
Barrier Sunburn Soother
Form: Cream
Scent: Natural
Size: 250ml
Reasons to buy: Multi-purpose as a skin moisturiser and soother
Reasons to avoid: Clear product, so not easy to see where it’s been applied.
A soothing and moisturising liquid formulation, Barrier Sunburn Soother is rapidly absorbed and quickly gets to work nourishing raw, inflamed skin. Using natural and 100% non-toxic ingredients, this rich cream offers SPF25 protection and is unperfumed.
We tested this on horses and rated it 8/10 – read our full Barrier Sunburn Soother review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or equus.co.uk
How to choose the best sun cream for dogs
First of all, consider how long your dog tends to spent outside in the sun and how often this means you would need to reapply a cream with a lower SPF. Check labels for recommended reapplication times, too.
Secondly, think about application. If your pup hates the sound of a spray even if it isn’t being spritzed directly onto him, then opt for a cream or balm.
Does your pet have any other conditions, such as dry skin or sensitivity to insects? See if you can find a product that’ll work a bit harder for you by addressing more than just UV damage.
Most importantly, canine sun cream should be free of PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), a UV B filter which is also toxic to dogs if ingested. Fragrance-free is also preferable – although there are many natural ingredients that provide a pleasant scent. For dogs who enjoy a dip – or playing in a paddling pool for dogs – a waterproof sunscreen is ideal.
You may also enjoy reading…
Best dog cooling mats for hot and bothered pooches
Make a splash! The best paddling pools for dogs
Hydrate and be healthy: best water fountains for dogs
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access ready for the Olympics and more
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
