My answer for my personal pack is Yes. If my dogs are going to be exposed to the sun, they need protection just like you, me and your kids. This is one of those times you should treat your dog like a baby. I’ve never been able to find sunscreen for dogs so I use baby sunscreen. Fragrance free. SPF 15 or higher. Usually the baby products are high SPF anyway.
Dog related cancers from sun exposure are real: squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanomas, hemangiomas, or hemangiosarcomas.
DO NOT SPRAY IT ON YOUR DOG’S FACE!
If I have to tell you that, well, you know what I’m thinking....you might not be quite ready for a dog! Use your common sense. Please. Seriously. When in doubt, please ask your vet. Your vet knows more than me or your friends or Aunt Mary.
Spray it onto your own hand and rub in near your dog’s lips, on her nose, the tips of the ears, the belly and on my Petunia, I put it on her white face. White dog skin/fur is more susceptible to burns. Think white Irish girl with red hair. Reapply it like you would to your baby throughout the day and after swimming.
NO FRAGRANCE. NO ZINC OXIDE. NO PABA. NO LICKING! If your pup is itching to lick, redirect her with a frozen Kong of wet dog food or peanut butter. Go easy on the calories, too. You can freeze plain yogurt with mashed bananas and peanut butter. Or salmon and a bit of cream cheese. Mmm hmmm! Maybe food ideas should be a future segment!
In the meantime, teach your dog to wear sunglasses! Yep, I can teach that too!
**Please submit your Wednesday Wellness questions or suggestions to Dianne by emailing findyourinnerdog@aol.com. Please put Wednesday Wellness in the subject line.
Hot shot Petunia
Boomer, Lola and Luigi. Circa 2012