Sun Can be Harmful to Pets as Well as Humans
My-Dog.info > Dog Health
Too much exposure to sunlight can be harmful not only to
humans but to animals as well. In fact, veterinarians have
started to notice an increase in the number of skin diseases that
animals develop because of too much exposure to sunlight.
Animals possess natural protection from the sun's rays. Their
hair coat physically blocks out solar rays and protects their
skin from harmful ultra-violet light. Many animals also have
heavily pigmented skin with an abundance of melanocytes, the
cells that help to protect the skin from the sun's damaging rays.
Animals, unlike some humans, also have the common sense to avoid
direct sunlight.
As a result, sunburns and sun-related skin problems tend to
occur infrequently in animals, but they do occur. However, for
sun damage to occur in pets, a combination of factors must come
into play. For example, if the skin is poorly pigmented or lacks
pigmentation, it is at high risk. Furthermore, a sparse hair coat
or areas of the body that are hairless are also more susceptible.
These sensitive areas must be regularly and frequently exposed to
the sun in order to cause skin diseases.
The sun's ultraviolet radiation can cause a number of skin
problems in pets. Sunburn, which is actually an inflammation of
the skin, can occur in pets. Certain breeds of dogs (such as
Dalmatians and white bull terriers) and white cats, are highly
susceptible. Certain parts of the body, such as the nose and
ears, are also more sensitive than others. Pets that have been
recently groomed, have a thinner and less protective hair coat
and are, therefore more succeptible. Repeated sunburns can
eventually lead to malignant skin cancer.
You can take safety precautions to minimize the risks the
sun's rays pose to your pets. If practicality permits, apply a
sunscreen to those parts of your pet's skin that are not
pigmented and/or have little or no hair. In many cases, this may
be impractical since the pet will immediately lick it off. Keep
your pet out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the
day when the sun is strongest (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Whenever
possible, provide shade and do not clip your pet's hair coat,
especially for the summer. Remember that the hair coat acts as
insulation, keeping cold out during the winter and cooling the
pet in the summer (pets "sweat" by panting). The hair
also acts as a natural barrier, protecting the skin from the sun.
If you suspect that your pet has a sun-related skin problem,
you should consult your veterinarian to make sure it is not
serious.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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