Do Cats and Dogs Get Sunburns?

When you stock up on sunblock for the summer, don’t forget your pets. Cats and dogs may have some built-in protection, but they, too, can get painful burns after prolonged sun exposure. Sunburns in pets are not only painful, but they’re also a sign that your pet’s skin cells have been damaged by the sun’s radiation. Scary stuff - but totally preventable. Here’s what all pet parents should know about sunburns in cats and dogs.

How Do Cats and Dogs Get Sunburn?
Any time your pet is exposed to the sun, they can potentially get a sunburn. This includes when they spend time outside on walks, when playing out in the yard, during day trips to the beach, or on a hike.
Cats and dogs cannot get sunburned by sunbathing in front of a window. They’ll also be safe from sunburn when riding in your car, even if they take the window seat.
The sun emits three types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA is filtered by the earth’s atmosphere, so we don’t have to worry about it harming our pets.
UVB rays have a short wavelength, so they mainly affect the epidermis, or the top layer of the skin. UVB radiation kills skin cells, and the body’s inflammatory response kicks in the repair the damage, manifesting as flushed, painful burns.
UVB rays cannot penetrate glass, so it’s unlikely for you or your pets to ever get sunburned through a window.
UVA rays have a longer wavelength than UVB rays. They do not cause sunburn, but they can affect deeper layers of the skin, and they can penetrate glass.
So even though your sunbathing cat or dog may not get a sunburn while indoors, they can still develop skin damage and even skin cancer with prolonged sun exposure through a window.

Which Pets Are More Susceptible To Sunburn?
Your cat or dog’s coat does offer some UV protection, especially if their skin and coat are dark in color. Dark-colored skin and fur are high in the pigment melanin, which absorbs UV rays before they can damage skin cells.
Pets with white or light-colored skin and fur are more likely to get a sunburn because they produce less melanin. Hairless pets like Sphynx cats and Chinese Crested dogs are at the highest risk of sunburn and cell damage that can lead to skin cancer.
Even pets that have thick, protective coats have hairless and sparsely covered areas such as their nose, ears, belly, and groin.
Pets with blue, green, or other light-colored eyes are more susceptible to ocular damage from the sun’s radiation than those with dark brown eyes. Sun damage has been linked to the development of cataracts and ocular cancers.

How To Protect Pets from Sunburn and Sun Damage
If your pet spends a lot of time near windows, it may make sense to invest in UV-blocking film. Even though pets cannot get sunburned through a window, they can still develop skin cell damage beneath the surface that can lead to skin cancer.
When your cat or dog is outside, you can protect vulnerable areas like their nose and ears with a made-for-pets sunblock. We recommend Pure and Natural Nose Rescue to protect noses, it has 17 SPF protection.
If your pet doesn’t mind dressing up, you can try hats, sunglasses, and sun shield shirts made for pets.
No sunblocks or sun garments offer 100% protection from the sun’s radiation. The best way to keep your pet safe is to limit their sun exposure, especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Treating Sunburn in Pets
A sunburn on your pet will look bright red and may feel warm to the touch. You might also notice dry, flaky skin at the burn site, and your pet may avoid letting you touch the area if it’s painful. Sunburns can look like other skin conditions, such as allergic dermatitis or a yeast infection.
If you’re pretty sure your pet has a mild sunburn, it should go away on its own in a few days. You can relieve painful inflammation with a pet-safe over-the-counter pain killer like Nutri-Vet Aspirin for dogs or T-Relief Tablets.
Never use any human painkillers, as they may contain ingredients that are highly toxic to pets and are not formulated with dosages that are safe for animals.
If your pet’s skin does not clear up in a few days, if they seem to be in a lot of pain, if there’s bleeding, blisters, or if they have a high fever, see your veterinarian or go to your nearest emergency vet clinic as soon as possible.