Can Pets Get Sunburned? Tips for Protecting Your Pet Outdoors

As for pet owners many think that their furry friend will be automatically protected from the sun. But similar to us, our pets experience sunburns, especially if they have pale fur, short hair or bare skin. Pets can get sunburn too, and this results in pain, damaged skin, and a higher risk of skin cancer down the line.

Find out how pets get sunburn, which pets are at higher risk, how to spot a sunburned pet, and tips for protecting your pet outdoors in this article.

Can Pets Get Sunburned

Yep just like us humans even our loving and furry pets can get sunburned: So here is the question of the day, can pets get sunburned,

Yes! Fatty and skinny pets can burn too — but lean animals with sparsely haired areas (like their nose, ears, belly, and paw pads) are particularly vulnerable to sunburn. Pet sunburn can be as mild as redness and as serious as severe peeling and pain, just like human sunburn.

Exposure to too much sun can cause:

✔ Scalding burns and discomfort

✔ Harmed tissue which will cause it to become susceptible to skin viruses

✔ High susceptibility for skin cancer (most notably for skin squamous cell carcinoma)

Which is why keeping your furry friend protected from harmful UV rays while outdoors is so important!

🐾 What Types of Pets Are More Likely to Get Sunburn?

Certain pets have a higher incidence of sunburn. Here are some of the risk factors:

Pets that have Short, Light-Colored Fur

✔ + White or light color fur dogs & Cats – Light colored fur offers a lower level of cover from UV rays

✔ Breeds with short hair — Pets with little to no fur coverage are more susceptible.

Examples:

Dogs 🐶 – DalmatiansBoxersBull TerriersPit BullsGreyhounds

Cats – white cats, sphynx, Siamese, devon rex

Hairless Breeds

☀️ Their skin is completely naked which makes them highly susceptible to sunburn.

✔ Protect with sunscreen and shade.

Examples:

🐶 Hairless Dogs – Chinese Crested, Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog)

Sphynx And Peterbald Cats A Hairless Cat

Pets with pink or delicate skin

✔ Pets with pink skin are at higher risk of sunburn — their skin has no melanin (melanin is a pigment that protects against the sun's UV light)

Examples:

🐶 Dogs – American Bulldogs, Whippets, Staffy Bull Terriers

🐱 Cats — Lighter-colored domestic shorthairs

Pets Who Love Sunbathing

✔ Some species naturally bask in the sun–but might overdo it.

✔ Excessive exposure to sunlight can result in burns, dehydration or heat stroke.

Examples:

🐶 Dogs — Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds

Cats — Any breed who likes to sunbath

If your pet falls into any of these categories, consider extra sun protection to avoid painful sunburn and long-term damage.

🔍 Signs of Sunburn in Pets

Identifying sunburn symptoms early on can help prevent further skin damage. Watch out for these symptoms:

Red or Pink Skin

These include:✔ Redness in localized areas such as nose, ears, belly, and around the eyes.

Dry, Flaky, or Peeling Skin

✔ Possibly, skin could begin to flake or peel following some sun exposure (this is comparable to human sunburn).

Tenderness & Discomfort

✔ Your pet may lick, sneeze, and avoid being touched in painful places.

Blisters or Sores

✔ Severe burns may result in blistering, swelling or in some cases be open, which may be infected.

Over Suffering – Scratching Or Licking

☐ If a pet licks sunburned skin, it may work to relieve some of the irritation.

Upon recognising these signs it becomes vital that steps be taken as quickly as possible to ease discomfort and prevent aggravation of damage.

🔆 How to Tan Pets for Sunburn

So if your pet does get a slight sunburn, here is what you can do to help them recover:

Move Them to a Shady Area

✔ Get your pet inside or under cover immediately.

✔ Stay away from the sun, as this may aggravate the burn.

Cool the Skin

✔ Use a wet, cold cloth over the sunburn areas for about 5–10 minutes.

✔ Do not apply ice, which aggravates skin burn injuries.

Use Pet-Safe Aloe Vera Gel

✔ Aloe vera provides relief to sunburned skin.

✔ Ensure there are no added chemicals and it is 100% natural

Moisturize with Coconut Oil

✔ Virgin coconut oil can moisturize flaky skin.

✔ Take an ample amount and massage it on the desired area.

Prevent Scratching or Licking

✔ Pets may worsen sunburn by licking or scratching

✔ Consider using an Elizabethan collar (cone).

Consult Your Veterinarian

✔ Take them to a vet if the burn was serious, blistered, or painful

✔ Your vet may suggest some medicated creams or pain relief to assist in healing.

But you can feel relaxed knowing that if you act fast, you can relieve your pet from sunburn and stop consequences from appearing.

🐾😬 How to Keep Your Pet from Getting a Sunburn

Prevention is better than cure, same is the case with sunburn. Given below are some tips to keep your pet safe outside:

• Seek Shade from the Sun While Sun is Harshest
• Between the hours of 10 AM - 4 PM, the sun is at its highest.

✔ Plan outdoor events earlier or later than these hours to reduce exposure to UV

Provide Shade

✔ Make sure there is always a shaded area for your pet to lie down.

✔ Avoid playing outside in the sun and use umbrellas, trees, and pet sunshade.

Use Pet-Safe Sunscreen

✔ Use sunscreen on sensitive areas (nose, ears, belly, and the rest of your dog you can see) protected with pet sunscreen.

✓ Never use sunscreen that is made for human use – many are made with zinc oxide which is poisonous to pets.

✔ If your pet is outdoors for a long time, reapply every 2-3 hours.

Put them in Protection Gear

❏ Light, breathable tops are skin-breathable, therefore, high-performance UV protective pet shirts prevent them from sunburn.

✔ Dog sun hats protect the face and ears.

Avoid Hot Pavement & Sand

✔ Sunburn DOSENT only apply to fur-covered skin- paw pads burn too!

✔ Go around the ground touching surfaces with your palm for 5 seconds.

✔ If your hand gets burned, that means your pet paws will also burn

Keep Your Pet Hydrated

YES, Sun bath goes along with heat stroke.

✔ Keep fresh water and a collapsible bowl when outdoors.

Be Cautious on Cloudy Days

✔ You can still get up to 80% of UV exposure on cloudy days.

✔ Even when it’s overcast, your pet can get sunburned.

By taking these simple precautions, you can protect your pet from the pain of burns and the risk of chronic skin damage.

🏖️ Outdoor Activities for Pets that are Fun & Safe

Pets get sunburnt too, but that doesn’t mean they should stay inside! These are ways to safely enjoy the outdoors while keeping your pet safe themselves:

♦ Morning & Evening Walks – Avoid peak sun hours.

✔ Parks & Trails in the Shade — Locations that have a lot of trees in their shadedember trees and some can be found as far south as experts in shrubbery.

✔ Swimming – Water is a great way to keep pets cool, but if they have light skin, don´t forget the sunscreen.

✔ Beach-Based Pet-Friendly Tents or Canopies!

✔ Play time in the Shade in the backyard – cooling mats or grass areas

With the proper precautions for outdoor activities and sun protection, your beloved pet can still savor the great outdoors.

🐶 In Conclusion: Protect Your Furry Friend Cuddly Pet From The Sun

Their pets can — and do — get sunburn, but it is easy enough to prevent.

✅ Key Takeaways:

✔ Animals with pale hair, short hair or pink skin are more sensitive.

☑️ Sunburn symptoms such as redness, flaking skin, and skin sensitivity.

✔ Avoid overexposure to the sun, provide proper shade, and use sun protection appropriate for pets.

✔ Keep pooches off super hot pavement and provide plenty of water

✔ Treat burned pets and if necessary veterinary care, aloe vera and coconut oil are the types of topical solutions available.