Is your companion animal suffering from sunburn or eye irritation? It is true because many pet owners think that pets cannot get sunburn. This information is wrong. It happens only to those pets who have light-colored fur and thin coats. Besides this, strong sunlight also affects their eyes, which are a very sensitive part of their bodies. Due to these problems, they stay unhappy and uncomfortable. If you want to see them happier and healthier for all the seasons, you should protect them from sunburn or eye irritation.
In this article, we will share the most effective ways to protect your best friends from these two problems.
What Sunburn Looks Like in Pets
When the strong UV rays damage or burn your pet’s skin, it is called "sunburn". Its symptoms are red, dry, hot, painful, flaky, peeling, or blistered skin. It affects only those pets who have white-colored fur or thin coats like Dalmatians and Chihuahua dogs or Sphynx and Siamese cats. It appears on their sensitive or naked parts like ears, noses, bellies, and around their eyes. When they lick or scratch their infected skin, it can lead to severe red patches. In some serious situations, repeated sunburn can cause skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma.
How Sun Affects Your Pet’s Eyes
The eyes are a very sensitive part of the body. The strong sunlight not only affects your pet’s skin, but it can also hurt their eyes. It makes their eyes uncomfortable, sore, and irritated, which can cause eye problems like pannus and actinic keratitis (swelling of the cornea). Eye problems appear in those pets who have big or bulging eyes, like pugs, Shih Tzus, and Persian cats. If you notice their eyes are red, watery, or squinting, it means they have painful sunburn on their eyes, called photokeratitis. So it is very important to protect their eyes from dust, pollen, and toxic chemicals.
Pets Who Need Extra Care in the Sun
When the summer season starts, it is very important to know which companion animals need extra care in summer. Those pets who have light-colored fur and thin coats, like Dalmatians, Chihuahuas, and Persian cats (white/cream). Like this, hairless breeds like Sphynx cats and Chinese Crested dogs have less protection from the strong sunlight. Pets with big or bulging eyes, like pugs, Shih Tzus, and Persian cats, face sunburn. Besides this, those pets who spend more time in UV rays, young and older pets, are more at risk.
Ways to Protect Your Pet from the Sun
With proper care and time, high-quality protective items, and the right precautions, you can keep your furry companions safe, healthy, and comfortable because prevention is always the best choice.
Let’s discuss the important preventive tips.
Avoid Direct Sunlight During Peak Hours
The UV rays are very strong during peak hours from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. You should go for walks and play sessions in the early morning and late evening. If they need to go outside, provide them shaded paths. It keeps them safe from intense heat.
Use Safe Sunscreen for Pets
Before going outside, you should apply pet-specific sunscreen products like Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray on their groin areas, like nose, ears, around the eyes, and belly. Always avoid human sunscreen because it consists of zinc oxide or salicylates.
Try UV-Protective Clothing
If you plan to spend some quality time with your best friend at a beach or a long hike, “sun shirts” are the best option. Try the lightweight Hurtta Sun & Bug Blocker Suit or K9 Top Coat UV Protective Shirt. They protect your pets from strong UVA and UVB rays.
Protect Eyes with Pet Goggles
Many brands made UV-protection pet goggles and sunglasses for those pets who have bulging eyes and like to look outside. Use Rex Specs Dog Goggles because they provide strong protection to their eyes from UV rays, dust, and wind.
Keep Pets Hydrated and Cool
Everyone knows that giving them just water cannot keep them safe from sunburn. But if you keep them hydrated, their bodies can easily bear the heat. To reduce heat stress, you should give them fresh water, cooling mats, grassy areas, and damp towels.
Early Signs Your Pet May Be in Trouble
Being a great pet owner, you should observe your pet’s behavior very closely. If you notice the early signs of sunburn or eye irritation like red skin, dry patches, crusty skin, blister spots, too much licking, excessive scratching, squinting, pawing at the eyes, watery eyes, weakness, whining, and hair falling, you should give them fresh and cool water immediately. Keep them away from outdoor areas and move them to shaded or cooler rooms. If needed, you must go to your veterinarian for further treatment to keep them safe and secure from sunburn or eye irritation.
Getting Veterinary Help for Sunburn or Eye Problems
Call your professional veterinarian! If you see the severe warning signs of sunburn. “The blues” can be blisters, pus from affected skin, severe swelling and pain, fast breathing, lethargy, less appetite, too much drooling, an unsteady walk, and a fast heartbeat. When you see these signs, you don’t need to wait for home remedies because the early stage of sunburn can be cured at your home, but these signs are not like that. An expert vet checked your pet and prescribed pet-safe creams, antibiotics for cracked skin, or special eye and ear drops. They reduce irritation and keep your furry friends safe and healthy.
Make Your Pet’s Summer Safe with Petsemporium
Welcome to the Petsemporium!
Do you live in Pakistan’s hottest regions like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad? It is understood that your pet also suffers from sunburn and eye problems. It is very important to find trusted and reliable sources in these cities. Petsemporium is one of the best online pet stores in Pakistan, where every pet owner can find all types of pet products. We have everything. Our main focus is to provide authentic and reliable pet products. We sell pet-specific sunscreens, UV-protection clothes, pet goggles and sunglasses, cooling mats, water bowls, all grooming essentials, and other accessories. So, it always depends on us!
“Conclusion”
If you want to keep your furry companions protected and comfortable during extreme weather conditions, watch for the signs of sunburn and eye problems. After knowing, you can protect them by avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours, using pet-safe sunscreens, trying UV-protective clothing, protecting eyes with pet goggles, and keeping them hydrated and cool. With the right precautions, high-quality protective products, and vet-approved creams, antibiotics, and drops, your pets will stay safe, healthy, happy, and comfortable by your side!
Do you want to keep your companion animals cool, protected, and active every day? Go with Petsemporium and shop today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pets get sunburned like humans?
Yes. Pets can get sunburned like humans, especially those pets who have white-colored fur and thin coats. It appears on their naked parts like ears, nose, belly and around their eyes. It can cause skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma.
How can I tell if my pet has sunburn or eye irritation?
If your pet has sunburn or eye irritation, look for early signs like red skin, dry patches, crusty skin, blister spots, too much licking, excessive scratching, squinting, pawing at the eyes, watery eyes, weakness, whining, and hair falling from affected areas.
Does Petsemporium carry protective gear for large breeds?
Yes. For large breeds like German Shepherds or Labradors, you can carry all types of protective items like QUMY Dog Goggles, RC Pets Sun Shirt, Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Vests, Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray, or My Dog Nose It! Sun Balm.
Where can I find Petsemporium products for summer care?
Of course. You can find summer care products for pets to prevent heat stress, sunburn, and dehydration. Which include a cooling bandana, portable water bottle, cooling pet bed, paw protection balm, breathable pet carrier, and pet water fountain.
Petsemporium provides a wide range of premium pet food, toys, and accessories to help keep your pets healthy, happy, and well cared for.