Pet owners are being urged to take a simple 30-second step to help protect dogs and cats as temperatures rise. The advice, highlighted by the Met Office, involves using pet-safe sun cream to reduce the risk of sunburn in vulnerable pets.
Why use sun cream on pets?
According to veterinary experts at PDSA, pets can get sunburnt, particularly those with "light-coloured fur or any thin fur patches." They warned: "It can be extremely painful for them and can sometimes lead to skin cancer. Pets can develop skin cancer from sun damage even if they haven’t been burnt by the sun."
The most vulnerable areas are the ears, nose, eyelids and tummy. Pet owners should use pet-safe sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, particularly on exposed areas with light or thin fur. Signs of sunburn include redness, itching, crusting, flaking and blisters.
What to avoid and where to buy
The PDSA also advises that if your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to keep them out of direct sunlight while they recover. Severe burns should be checked by a vet straight away.
The expert further warns that human sun cream should not be used as some ingredients are toxic to pets. "For example, you’ll need to make sure that sun cream for your dog does not contain zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)."
Retail stores such as Pets At Home are currently selling the BeLoved BeSunsafe Sun Protection Balm 60g for £9.99. However, this balm is specifically for dogs. Alternatively, Amazon has the Nose Print Pet Sunscreen SPF 50 Spray in stock for £9.99, down from £14.99, and it works on both cats and dogs.
Other heatwave precautions
The Met Office advises that no matter the breed, fresh water should be left out for all pets and even wild animals that visit our garden, to protect them during the heatwave.
"Make sure that all pets, from dogs and cats to birds, rabbits and guinea pigs, always have access to fresh water to drink, adequate ventilation, and shade from direct sunlight," they said. The experts added: "Don’t forget the wild animals that visit our gardens — keep out a bowl of fresh, clean water for wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs."
The Met Office stated that pets should never be left in cars, conservatories, outbuildings or caravans, even if they are left for a short time, as this "can be fatal for them." It also recommends providing pets with ways to stay cool, including cooling mats, fans and frozen water bottles wrapped in towels. For rabbits and guinea pigs, owners can provide extra shade by covering wire-mesh runs with damp towels. The Met Office added that lightly misting a rabbit’s ears with cool water can also help keep them cool.
