As we soldier on through the third month of lockdown, enjoying the sun is proving to be the best, most simple pleasure, breaking up a monotonous routine. That doesn’t just go for us, but for our pets, too – who always seem to be able to find that one spot in the house that stays sunny no matter what.
But with this week’s hot weather comes the danger of sunburn, and just like us, pets can fall foul to this, too. Particularly if you have a short-haired pet, sunburn can be a real problem for dogs and cats, in some cases even leading to skin cancer. And with more people buying and adopting pets in order to have a lockdown companion, it's vital new pet-owners get to grips with the risks their animal faces.
‘Most dogs and cats have hair that protects them from sun damage. However, hairless cat and dog breeds, like the Sphynx and Mexican Hairless dog, respectively, are highly susceptible to sunburns and skin cancer,’ Dr Ruth MacPete writes for the Pet Health Network. ‘It’s important to realise that even pets with hair can be vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays. Areas like the ears, nose, lips, eyelids and belly often have little to no hair on them and thus are very susceptible to sun damage. Also, pets with light skin and short or thin hair, like white cats, are also more susceptible to developing skin cancer, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors.'
So how can you protect your pet from the sun? From minimising exposure to protective clothing, there are many options. Experts note that pets should be kept indoors when the sun is strongest, usually between 11am and 3pm. However, if your animal loves the sun as much as you do, you can buy solar wear or special sun cream that’s suitable. It's important to note that sun creams that are good for humans are not usually not good for pets, and what's good for a dog can be harmful for a cat, so only use a product that has been designed for your specific type of pet.
So, what sun protection is there for dogs and cats? Scroll to find out…
Best Sun Protection For Pets - Grazia
1 of 9Dermoscent SunFREE, £15.25, £
According to their website, SunFREE 'efficiently protects the vulnerable or fragile skin of dogs and cats against UVA and UVB, while providing reinforced hydration. SunFREE is easy to use thanks to its texture which is water resistant, non-greasy and non-sticky.'
2 of 9Petkin SPF15 Sunscreen Spray, £4.09
Suitable for dogs only, 'this [spray] is the fastest and most convenient way to apply either to select areas or all over,' says Petkin. 'Ideal for thicker coats. Creates a nice cool, fine mist that won't frighten the dog.'
3 of 9Petkin Doggy Sunscreen Wipes SPF 15, £4
'Doggy Sunwipes provides the fastest, most convenient way to protect your dog from the suns harmful ultraviolet rays when ever outdoors,' writes Pets at Home. 'Simply wipe on anytime for instant sun protection.' This product is only suitable for dogs.
4 of 9Cool Club Elastofit Ice Blue Dog Vest, from £13
'This Ice Vest is lightweight and designed to keep your pet cool and comfortable on hot days or when on the go,' writes Pets at Home. 'This cooling vest will help keep your pooch cool for up to 6 hours and helps protect them against UV and heat related illness. Simply soak the vest in cold water and wring out. Repeat once the water has evaporated.'
5 of 9Cool Club Pet Ice Cooling Dog Bandana, from £5
The same premise as the cooling vest, this bandana is used to cool your dog down in the heat. 'The ultimate lightweight, ice-cooling bandana that gives your dog a feeling of long-lasting comfort on hot days or on the go,' writes Pets at Home.
6 of 9VavoPaw Sun Cap, £12.99
According to VavoPaw, this cap is 'suitable for dogs, cats and other small-breed animals. 'We selected premium eco-friendly Oxford fabric to make this hat soft, durable and breathable, and ensure a safe wearing experience for your pets,' the company states. 'Two holes at the top let your dog's ears breathe and move in a natural way. The chin strap is adjustable to fit your pet's head.'
7 of 9Petkin Sunscreen Stick, £5.25
Petkin says this product - which is only suitable for dogs - is 'ideal for applying thicker areas of extra protection on the most delicate areas such as nose, ears, muzzle, pink areas and any spots where skin is particularly exposed. 'Extensive research has shown that SPF15 is the highest factor of sunscreen recommended for dogs without causing irritation to the skin,' the company states. 'The formula has a smell reminiscent of sun lotion for humans.'
8 of 9Filtabac Antibacterial Cream with Sunblock, £10.08
Combining skin protection for wounds and sunburn while doubling as a suncream itself, FiltaBac considers this cream the ultimate animal protection. Suitable for dogs and horses, the company advises seeking vet advice before using it on cats.
9 of 9Dog Rash Vest, £17
This dog rash vest by DforDog 'provides 50+ UV sun protection as well as being used to protect tummies from grass, nettles and other irritants.''The lightweight fabric also makes Rash Vest fast drying, odour resistant and easy to wash,' DforDog states. 'The fabric is breathable so your dog doesn't overheat from wearing the garment. Your dog can go swimming in the vest too.'