Hidden danger for dogs that could cause ‘painful’ skin condition

Spring is here and warmer weather is on its way. If you’ve got a dog, you likely want them to enjoy the sunshine just as much as you.

Many people choose to take their dogs with them, on picnics, or to sit in a sunny pub garden on a Saturday. However, a vet is warning owners to be aware of the dangers. If you’ve ever had a sunburn, you know how painful it can be and Dr Anna Foreman from Everypaw Pet Insurance is warning the sensation is the same for dogs.

She said: “Sunburned skin is painful in animals as it is in humans. More chronically and seriously, repeated sunburn can lead to cancerous changes.”

As dogs don’t absorb vitamin D through their skin as we do, there is no health benefit to letting your dog soak up some rays – and it could put them in danger.

Even though dogs love to sunbathe (like humans) it’s important to limit their exposure to the sun.

Dr Amy said: “Dogs should be limited to sunbathing for a maximum of 45 mins to an hour when the sun is particularly intense (11am-3pm). Dogs should always have shade to escape to (they tend to seek shade if too hot), and a bowl of fresh water available. They may also benefit from a clean, fresh water ‘pool’ or cool mat to cool down in/on too.”

If a dog gets too hot it can develop heat stroke, where the body’s internal temperature rises to above 39.2°C due to being in external heat for too long. Some breeds of dog are more at risk of heat exhaustion.

Brachycephalic breeds like pugs and French bulldogs are particularly prone to heat stroke due to their respiratory issues and extra care needs to be taken with them in hot weather. A

dditionally, older dogs, as well as those with underlying health conditions, do not tolerate the heat as well.

If you have a dog with a thin hair coat such as a Chinese crested sphynx, or a pink nose and ear tips, they are much more at risk of becoming sunburnt.

The bridge and tip of the nose and abdomen and groin of all animals is at risk of sunburn because this is where their hair is the thinnest. Even though paler animals are more at risk, dark skinned dogs can develop sunburn too.