My dog was born and raised in sunny California. Unfortunately for her, we moved to the Pacific Northwest, where it rains nearly every day and she has never forgiven me. However, she does get a bit of reprieve from the wet weather during the summer months. When the temperature is above 75 degrees, you best believe my little lady is luxuriating outside in the sun. While she loves the activity, it makes me a bit concerned as I want to protect her skin. For this reason, I make sure to apply dog-friendly sunscreen on her before she goes outside to sunbathe.

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs can get sunburned and develop health issues from said sunburns, like, “squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanomas, and hemangiomas.” This is especially true if you own American hairless terriers, Xoloitzcuintlis, collies, dalmatians, bulldogs, whippets, white-furred dogs, or pups with thinning fur. Essentially most pup parents should consider purchasing pup-friendly sunblock, like Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen or My Dog Nose It Coat and Body Spray.

Photo by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash

Before giving your dog sunscreen, however, you should contact your vet. If your dog’s veterinarian determines that sunscreen is not the best option for your furry friend, you can also protect their skin with a sun shirt or keep your dog out of the sun.

Sunburns should not be your only concern about your dog during the warmer months. For instance, you should be keeping an eye on your dog’s water intake as dehydration can be fatal. According to Emancipet, the amount of water your dog needs depends on their size. The non-profit reported that “most dogs should drink about 1 ounce of water for every pound that they weigh." Some dogs, especially those highly active or expecting puppies, will require “more water per pound of weight.”

Now, making sure your furry friend gets enough water can be challenging. Sometimes our precious pups are not interested in drinking from their water bowl. A situation like this happened recently with my dog. After I took her on a long walk on a warm day, she refused to take a drink. She eventually gave in to her thirst when I rubbed water on her gums and offered her to drink straight from my water bottle. My husband also discovered that our dog can’t resist water if it's on anyone’s face. He came across this discovery when she basically attacked him with licks after he washed his face.

Now if you are not interested in having your dog drink from your water bottle or off your face, I don't blame you! There are other ways to help increase your dog's water intake.

According to Petplan, furry friends are more likely to drink more water if their bowls are clean. Their water should also be changed at least every 24 hours. You can also pour water into your cupped hands for your canine companion to drink out of.

If your furry friend refuses water despite these tips, take your pup to the vet.

Should Dogs Wear Sunscreen?

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