Why Do Pets Lay In The Sun? All About Sunbathing in Dogs and Cats

When the sun hits your window just right, your pet jumps at the chance to bask in the sunbeam. They might even insist on being outside in the middle of the day, sprawling out in the sun like a furry, four-pawed cucumber plant.
Why are dogs and cats obsessed with laying in the sun? Learn why your pet loves to bask and what you can do if you’re concerned about too much sun exposure.

Why Do Pets Lay In the Sun?

When it’s sweltering out, you might feel compelled to stay in the shade or hunker down in the comfort of your home air conditioning. For pets, even in the summer heat, the warm glow of a sunbeam still feels like the prime spot to stretch out and relax.

Dogs and cats are attracted to warmth
Dogs and cats have a baseline body temperature of about 101.5°F, a touch higher than the average human’s 98.6°F temp. Regulating body temperature expends energy, so laying out in the sun is, for pets, the ultimate power nap.
The smaller your pet, the more susceptible they are to the cold. Small pets have a higher ratio of body surface area to volume, so heat escapes their body more easily. Short-haired pets, too, are more likely to bask.

Sunlight powers feel-good hormones
Laying in the sun gives pets (and their people!) a boost of serotonin, the hormone that helps regulate mood. That’s why spending time out in the sun can make us feel happier, while gray winter days can leave us depressed

Do Pets Need Sunlight to Produce Vitamin D?
Nope! For humans, sun exposure helps our bodies create vitamin D from a chemical naturally present in our skin. However, cats and dogs must absorb vitamin D from their diet, as they synthesize little to no vitamin D from the sun. So, there’s no nutritional need for your pet to bask, and you can make sure they’re getting enough essential vitamins and minerals with a complete and balanced pet food and a pet multivitamin.

Is Sunbathing Safe for Pets?

Just like humans, pets can suffer from sunburns, skin damage, heatstroke, and an increased risk of skin cancer when they spend too much time out in the sun. However, these health risks vary between pets.
Glass windows block UVB rays, the type of ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn. However, UVA rays, the kind that can cause skin cancer, are able to reach your pet through the glass.
Pets with darker fur colors have more melanin in their skin and coat. Melanin absorbs the sun’s harmful rays. Pets that have less melanin, including those that are white, cream or otherwise light in color, or have light-colored patches, are more likely to be at risk for skin cancer with prolonged sun exposure. Lighter-colored pets are also more likely to get sunburned when they spend time outdoors.
Your dog or cat’s eyes can also be at risk for sun damage, especially those with light-colored eyes. Blue eyes contain very little melanin, green and yellow eyes have a bit more, while pets brown eyes are the least likely to suffer eye damage from the sun.
Your pet’s coat helps protect their skin from UV damage. Pets with little to no fur, especially those with sparsely-furred or bald patches on their belly, on and around their ears, and around their nose and mouth, can be affected in those areas.

How To Keep Your Pet Safe While Sunbathing

Cover windows with UV-resistant film
You can block harmful UV rays with window coverings that have been tested to protect against UVA rays that can cause skin damage. They’re available as a clear film that allows your pet to still see through, and also come in tinted, patterned, and frosted options. Window films are easy to apply yourself and since most only require water to install, they can be removed without leaving damage.

Protect pets while outside
Windows, especially with the addition of a protective window film, block some of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Outdoors, though, your pet is left without protection. For light-colored, sparsely-haired areas of your pet’s body, you can apply a made-for-pets sunscreen or dog nose balm that offers SPF protection. In a pinch, you may be able to use baby sunscreen so long that it does not contain toxic ingredients like fragrances, zinc oxide and salicylates.
Bodysuits, t-shirts, and pet sunglasses or goggles can provide some UV protection while outdoors, but can trap heat or may not be well tolerated by your pet.

Check regularly for skin damage
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancers in both dogs and cats. Look your pet over for any unusual growths, bumps, lesions, or spots, and see your vet if you notice anything new or strange. When treated promptly, skin cancer usually responds well to treatment, and it’s relatively easy to test and diagnose, so even small, seemingly harmless lumps and bumps are worth checking out right away.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.