When it comes to lounging in the Sun Protectants for Dogs too long without skin protection, the risks for dogs are very similar to those for humans. Many dogs are prone to chronic sunburn—or canine solar dermatitis—which can lead to the advancement of various kinds of skin cancer. Therefore, it’s important to have a spread of dermatologist-recommended skin products with SPF (sun protection factor) in your collection of pet accessories when you take them outside.
“For dogs, it’s important to choose a product with a fairly high SPF,” says Jeanne Budgin, DVM, DACVD, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist with Hudson Valley Veterinary Dermatology. “Generally, we recommend an SPF of 30 or higher, as well as a fragrance-free product because dogs and humans have different sensitivities to fragrance. It should also be waterproof if they are doing any outdoor activity, and it should have UVA and UVB protection.”
Best Overall
Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen
Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen is perhaps the only product on the market that boasts all of these qualities—or at least can prove that it does. It’s hard to argue with a bestselling dog Sun Protectants for Dogs that has the distinction of being the sole FDA-approved sunscreen on the market, with a fortifying SPF rating between 30-40. A favorite among consumers as well as professionals, K-9 Care is easy to apply to even the most skittish pup, thanks to a bottle that is ingeniously designed to spray at any angle.
K-9 Care also dries easily without oiliness or stickiness that can leave a residue on your dog’s fur. Dr. Budgin, who recommends Epi-Pet to patients, compliments the micro-emulsified quality of the spray, which “really helps penetrate the hair.”
Outside of the obvious positive effects on sunburn, Epi-Pet K-9 Care is proven to offer significant protection against both UVA and UVB rays, malignant skin tumors, and inflammation that can lead to dermatitis. It’s also infused with vitamin E, which helps nurture healthy fur.
Active Ingredients: Ethylhexl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, homosalate, benzophenone-3, alcohol denaturated, ethyllhexyl salicylate, C-12-15 alkyl benzoate, acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, tocopheryl acetate︱SPF: 30+︱Size: 3.5 ounces
Best Spray
Emmy’s Best Pet Products Dog Sun Skin Protector Spray
Though Epi-Pet is our number one choice for sunscreen, Emmy’s Sun Skin Protector Dog Spray is a close second and our pick for the best overall spray. Emmy’s offers powerful protection, and though not FDA-approved, the manufacturers estimate its SPF rating to be at least 30.
It includes moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil which are great for dogs with dry, cracked skin, but it doesn’t substitute these for other powerful Sun Protectants for Dogs-protecting agents. And despite the use of oil, Emmy’s uses a non-greasy formula that prevents mess and the buildup of dirt and other contaminants on your dog’s coat.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate︱SPF: Approx. 30︱Size: 8 or 32 ounces
Best Budget
Petkin Doggy Sun Stick
This pet owner favorite slips in your pocket easily, making it a great staple for any trip out with your pup. It’s also proven safe for all dogs, featuring mineral ingredients that protect their skin from the Sun Protectants for Dogs without any potential toxicity or side effects. The sunscreen is also gentle, non-greasy, and non-sticky, making it easy to apply and reapply without building up residue on the coat or causing discomfort to your good boy or girl.
The main downside is the Petkin Doggy Sun Protectants for Dogs Stick’s low SPF rating. While this is a great on-the-go accessory for casual outdoor excursions, its SPF is around 15 and may not suffice for long stays outdoors—certainly not for at-risk dogs engaging in full-on sunbathing. If your dog has light-colored or sparse fur, then you may want to seek out a stronger lotion.
Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide︱SPF: 15︱Size: 5 ounces
Best Sun-Block Clothing
PlayaPup Dog Sun Shirt
If your dog can’t handle a solution of any kind being applied to their skin or coat, you may want to look into options for the fabric equivalent of sunscreen: Sun Protectants for Dogs -block clothing. Perhaps our favorite cost-effective option on the market is PlayaPup Sun Shirt, which comes in a variety of playfully patterned styles and colors.
While a sun shirt might seem like a less effective option than carefully engineered skin care products, PlayaPup’s shirt has been designed to block 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays thanks to its UPF 50+ fabric. If your pup’s comfort in a piece of heavy-duty clothing is a concern to you, don’t worry—the flatlock stitching design makes it a comfortable fit, preventing itching and chafing.
Side note: When it comes to sun-block clothing for dogs, Dr. Budgin encourages pairing a high-quality, high-coverage sunsuit with a shade or visor to help block out harmful rays on the face and neck. So consider adding a piece of canine headgear of your choice if you try out PlayaPup’s shirt.
Active Ingredients: Physical sun blocker | SPF: UPF 50+ fabric︱Size: XXS-4XL
Best for Noses
Lucky Pup Sunscreen Balm
If your dog has a lighter-colored nose, they are likely more susceptible to sunburns. The Lucky Pup Sun Protectants for Dogs Balm comes in a tube—just like lip balm for humans—so it’s convenient to carry and easy to apply on a dog’s nose while you enjoy the outdoors. Each tube is manufactured in Colorado and formulated with beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil so it’s moisturizing. Plus, the addition of titanium dioxide gives this balm the ability to protect a dog’s delicate snout against UVA and UVB rays.
The nose-protecting balm can also be applied to paws and elbows. It’s waterproof and made without any artificial flavors or fragrances. The formula goes on clear and won’t stain surfaces or clothing that come in contact with your dog’s nose. With an SPF of 10, reapplication is recommended every two hours, and every hour if your dog is swimming or splashing on wet surfaces.
Active Ingredients: Beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, lanolin, aloe oil, titanium dioxide, vitamin E︱SPF: 10︱Size: 0.15 ounces
What to Look for in a Dog Sunscreen
How to Apply
In general, you can apply Sun Protectants for Dogs to your dog much in the same way you would to yourself or another human being. According to Jeanne Budgin, DVM, DACVD, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at Hudson Valley Veterinary Dermatology, the most susceptible areas for many dogs are “the undercarriage, thighs, belly, armpits, nose, and muzzle,” so those are important target areas.
It is also crucial to keep control of your pup for a short period—10 minutes, according to Dr. Budgin—after applying the Sun Protectants for Dogs so it sets in before they can lick it off. Sprays are often preferred by pet owners because they are hard to lick off and less likely to agitate your pup.
Uses
Like humans, dogs are at risk for damaging solar dermatitis and skin cancer. Outside of its utility in decreasing the risk of serious disease, Sun Protectants for Dogs can also assist with overall skin and coat health. Most of the products on the list also actively work to repair damaged skin cells.
While a dog’s fur offers some protection from the Sun Protectants for Dogs, dog breeds that are white, light-colored, or have thin fur (including hairless dogs), are possibly more susceptible to getting solar dermatitis.
Ingredients
There are several important differences between the ingredient list in human Sun Protectants for Dogs versus products designed for dogs. For example, essential oils are often included in skin care products for people but can be highly toxic to dogs. Zinc oxide and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) are the most important ingredients to make absolutely sure are absent in any skin product you purchase for your pup.
According to Dr. Budgin, minor ingestion of zinc oxide may cause gastrointestinal issues to varying degrees of seriousness; other doctors report that high amounts of zinc oxide can potentially lead to anemia in dogs.1 In other words, remember to store your human Sun Protectants for Dogs somewhere away from your pup if you’re at the beach together.
Strength
It is essential to find a dog Sun Protectants for Dogs that can offer a high degree of SPF and UVA/UVB protection. The only issue with this is that nearly every dog skin product is not FDA-approved, meaning that companies cannot assign their products a hard-and-fast SPF rating, only an estimated one. Because it is FDA-approved, Epi-Pet K-9 Care is the only product on this list with an official SPF rating (30).
Also, some highly SPF-rated ingredients can often be bad for dogs, so it’s important to note that, while dogs require strong Sun Protectants for Dogs protection, they also need it to come from the right combination of sources. So before you invest in any non-FDA-sanctioned dog sunscreen with SPF listed on the packaging, make sure you know how that number is calculated.
