Beat the Sun With the Best Dog Sunscreens

A dog can’t tell the difference between a chemical sunscreen and a physical one because they have no receptors for them. That means all sunscapes leave them vulnerable to sunburn. But not all physical sunscreen is the same.

Different formulas have different SPF ratings, and not everyone understands which is best for your pooch. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the sun safety choices available to you, you're in the right place!

We've compiled this shopping guide to give you an overview of dog sun screens and the different types available.

Sunscreens for Dogs Tips

Here are some tips to get the most out of your dog’s daily sunscreen. Sunscreen is actually quite easy to use on your pet. If you follow these simple steps, your pooch will have no trouble covering his or her whole body in just one application.

Apply sunscreen to dog paws first. Then apply it to the rest of the body. This will give the dog a bit of time to feel the sunscreen on his skin. Be gentle with your pets‘ sensitive skin, especially around the eyes. And make sure to apply the lotion to their underarm area as well, just to be on the safe side.

Any time your dogs play outside, they should be wearing a fresh nose-hair-free coat. That way, when they're splashed with water, it won't soak through their fur and make them itch.

When your little buddy does get a little bit too sunburned, apply a handkerchief or towel to his face. He'll feel a warm, dry feeling there, too. Only apply sunscreen when your pup is wearing clothing that's made of materials that are both water resistant and UV-friendly.

For the best results, don‹t apply any sunscreen that you re allergic to to. You don't want to trigger an anaphylactic reaction. Always follow the directions on a new sunscreen product.

It s a good idea to practice first before your furry friend ever needs to put it on.

Sunscreens for Dogs Considerations

Sunscreen is a bit like a childhood friend. It’s safe, effective, and effective at stopping a fair amount of the sun's damaging UV rays, but it‘s also pretty expensive.

When choosing a dog sunscreen, it pays to know your dog's skin type and what other ingredients could potentially harm them. Different types of dog skin are more sensitive to the elements, so it can be hard to find a good match.

• Dry skin

Dogs with dry skin tend to suffer more easily from sunburns, rosacea, acne, eczema, or any other skin condition that makes your pet itch or feel itchy. The majority of dry-skin dogs have dry, cracked, flaky patches that make it hard for them to even get out of a bathing suit.

Even so, most sunscanners for dry dogs only cover the surface of their skin, leaving them exposed to UVB rays all day long.

• Oily skin (also called oily skin)

If you have oily or acne-prone dogs, you ll want to be sure that the sunscreen you choose won't irritate their coats. Ideally, choose a formula that's specially formulated for oily dogs.

Some formulas contain ingredients that are so harsh they can cause skin irritation. Others contain harsh ingredients like lanolin that can weigh down and dry out your pup's coat.

• Sensitive skin/diver skin 

If your pooch is sensitive, especially to sunlight or chemicals, make sure the dog-sunscreen combination you pick has ingredients or a mechanism that won't cause them any irritation.

If the ingredients in your chosen sunscreen are too harsh for your furry friend, there are other options to consider. Those with sensitive skin or diver skin can get great results by combining it with a soothing body wash or shampoo.

Additionally, formulas that contain vitamin E or eucalyptus oil can help combat dryness caused by sun damage.

Sunscreens for Dogs Prices

• Inexpensive

The most economical type of dog sunscreen is a water-resistant lotion or cream that costs between $5 and $15. Lotions and creams usually contain SPF 20 to 30 and don’t require a prescription. These lotions or crems are a good choice for pet owners who want to use sunscreen on their dogs all year long.

• Mid-range

Sunscanners that cost between about $20 and about 45 are best for serious dog owners. Though some of these contain more SPf than others, they typically provide broad-spectrum protection, too.

• Expensive

The priciest type for dog sunscopes is an organic lotioned cream or gel that is either water or sweat resistant. Most of them provide protection for 12 months or more.

Pet owners looking for a lifetime of protection should seriously consider a gel or lotional from one of the brands listed here.

Sodium Chloride Sunscreen for Dogs Features

We’ve already given you our top recommendations, but we‘d also like to provide some additional information that can help you make your decision even easier.

• Ingredients

Here's what to look for on a sunscreener that's intended for use on dogs.

• Dosage

The amount of sodium chloride in your dog's sunscreen is crucial. It needs to be low enough that it s not going to do any damage, yet high enough to offer protection for a long time.

Always read the label to find out what the actual dosage is. If you re not 100% sure, contact the manufacturer for more information.

• Protection

When it comes to dogs, protection comes in the form of ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). This is a measure of how long your pet can survive in direct sunlight without dying.

Keep in mind that the higher the UPF, the longer your pooch can stay in total darkness without losing too much health.

• SPF

For dogs that wear sunglasses, a good SP F rating is worth considering. You want a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection. This means that your pup won‹t be harmed by UVA and UVB rays, though you might want to opt for something with a lower

SP rating, as a higher SP doesn‪t always guarantee better protection in higher concentrations.

• Application

To ensure that you get the coverage you want for your little guy, look at the directions on the bottle. In general, you should apply your sunscreen before your pets even begin to play.

Sun protection isn't a walk in a park, so it needs the right precautions. The best dog sunscreen uses UPFs that are at least 30 and preferably 50 to protect your furry friend.

About Sunscreens for Dogs

Once you’ve decided on your dog‘s skin type and skin tone, the next step is to choose a sunscreen. The vast majority of dog sunscreen options are either chemical-based or mineral- based.

While both types offer some protection from UV rays, mineral sunscreen has superior sun protection. For dogs with sensitive or dry skin, choosing a mineral sunscreen is the best option, as it doesn't contain chemicals that could cause irritation for your pet.

Another benefit of choosing mineral formula is that it stays put, meaning it dries quickly once exposed to the sun. Chemical sun blockers can be drying for some dogs, too, and they can potentially clog their pores and cause sunburn.

With a combination of ingredients, including SPF, zinc oxide, fatty acids, vitamin E, charcoal, vitamins C and E and antioxidants like retinol, you can find dog sunscreen that's effective for all skin types.

Mineral sunblock is a more economical choice than chemical sun block. If you want to protect your pooch from both the UV and the solar radiation, opt for a dog-safe mineral spray.