Sunscreen

[kaiah]

We spend a lot of time on the boat and beach in Florida. Does anyone have recommendations for sunscreen and or rash guards?
Thanks so much.

[scarlett]

I also live in FL I put NO- AD on my pup the other day and it didn't seem to bother her. Also, this sounds weird, but maybe try balmex, a product for diaper rash. I used to use it on a hairless kitty and obviously it's gently but it has some of the same chemicals.

[kaiah]

Thanks I appreciate the recommendation. I have always been concerned about the sun with my basenji because she is mostly black. She really does get extremely hot. But I was hesitant to put sunscreen on her because of the ingredients so I just put a rashguard on her. I will give it a try.

[DebraDownSouth]

Interesting and something I need to consider as we now have a Samoyed. It hasn't been an issue for me EVER since I hate heat and even when I lived near the beach, I went early mornings or very late afternoon/early evenings if I took the dogs. So I did check a few places and they agreed, if in the sun a lot, or white/thin coat dogs, need sunscreen. I only knew for nose, so thank you for bringing up this topic!

From WebMD

What Kind of Sunscreen Can Be Put on Dogs?

The safest and most effective sunscreen to put on your dogs is one that is specifically designed for canine use, says Rosales. These sunscreens are designed with dogs in mind and don’t pose any health risks.

If doggie sunscreen isn’t an option, Goldstein mentions that pet parents can purchase a broad-spectrum sunscreen for babies and children with an SPF of 15 or higher at the local drugstore. But it’s EXTREMELY important for pet parents to read the labels on baby sunscreen before applying it to their pets, since dogs may lick their skin and accidentally ingest the sunscreen.

“When choosing baby sunscreen, pet owners should choose a fragrance-free product that doesn’t contain zinc oxide,” Rosales explains. “Ingestion of zinc oxide can lead to hemolytic anemia.”

Pet parents should also avoid any sunscreen that has para-aminobenzoic acid (also known as PABA) as an ingredient. This could also be toxic if ingested.

To reiterate, the following ingredients in sunscreens are toxic to dogs:

• zinc oxide
• para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

Don’t use any other type of sunscreen on your pet without your veterinarian’s approval<<

[giza1]

@DebraDownSouth said in Sunscreen:

Interesting and something I need to consider as we now have a Samoyed.

Okay, I'm a bit confused here, and maybe I'm a bad pet parent, but I've never put sunscreen on a dog. I don't live in FL, but we get a heck of a lot of sun here, in high summer we'll get 18 hours a day and it can get hot (but we're not humid!). Yes, the dogs will get roasty, especially the short haired dark ones, but they got fur, they don't burn (okay maybe their bellies get a little pinky). They'll get hot enough to pant, then they'll move to the shade. And sunscreen won't keep them any cooler. And why would a Sam need sunscreen?!! Just cause they're white? I can't see the sun getting through all that fur!
-Joanne

[DebraDownSouth]

Well I'm actually with you, have never used it. However, we have massive trees, no direct sun in our back yard, so have never worried about it. But when I started looking up vet responses, they said short haired, hairless varieties, and white dogs! Samoyed actually have very different coats than any breed I have found, and if groomed right, the sun probably can reach the skin.

Even the AVMA recommends sunscreen for "apply sunscreen to your dog's skin if she or he has a thin coat."

Another site:
What Breeds Can Get Sun Cancer?
Some dogs are more likely than others to get sunburns. White dogs or pups with white patches often have white skin under the hair, so they get burnt much more easily; this is why it is so important to not shave dogs like Siberian Huskies or Samoyeds. Under all that fur, they are very pale and prone to burns.
Even for other breeds, the sun can be dangerous, particularly where the hair is thinnest. The ears, belly, and nose are common danger zones.

What Can I Do to Prevent Dog Sunburn?
If your dog will be outside in the heat of the day when the sun is strongest, make sure he’s in the shade, such as under an umbrella or a shady tree.

There are also dog sunscreens on the market that are non-toxic in case your pooch licks it. Applying sunblock to the ears, nose, and belly can help prevent burns.<<

So I guess the white skin, which makes sense. I have heard of dogs with cancer on nose and ears.

[kaiah]

Thanks Debra for all the information I had researched Sunscreen a few years back because we spend a lot of time on our boat and it was so confusing. I would decide I would just order the doggie sunscreen and read the ingredients and they had a bad one listed. So I just started putting rash guards on Kaiah and tried to keep her in the shade when possible (lol). She had a red bump come up on her nose a while back and we thought she had maybe gotten bit by bee so we gave her some benedryl and no problems. The redness is gone but now months later a small bump is still there and it looks a little weird. I am taking her in next week for our vet to look at it . Hence the quest for a good sunscreen. I read in an article that Benzophenone-3, Triethanolamine, Methyl Parabene, Zinc Oxide, DMDM Hydantoin, Imidurea, and PABA Should not be used on dogs. My vet suggested a baby sunscreen and I have found a couple that do not have these ingredients but wanted to see if anyone with a basenji has used them first. Thanks for all the information.

[DebraDownSouth]

Oh gosh, please post and let us know what the vet says about her nose.