I'm not really a fan of direct sunlight. Sun. Heat. Summer.
That's why I just don't get it why people sunbathe and especially...dogs!! My dogs to be exact.
I first experienced it with Harvey when he was young. Even up until now he finds his most comfortable spot to sunbathe. He sometimes does it near lunch time, which drives me nuts. Harvey, being Harvey, I just thought something's screwed up in his head no matter how smart he is. I thought he was this adrenalin-junkie who attempts to be suicidal for fun. Most of the times we try to shoo him away if we find him too exposed to the sun.
According to Dogster.com, dogs do love to sunbathe, some are even serious sunbathers and could stay for hours. They love to soak up the warmth of the sun and in a dog level loves to get a doze of Vitamin D. So, I should not panic if I see them lounging under the direct sunlight. They know better and they usually just leave if they've had enough.
For some dogs though, they sleep and forget so that's where human intervention comes in. Humans, if they sense they've had enough, can lead the dog back into the shade. It's never harmful to remind our furry friends that it's not the time to die of heatstroke.
Dogs with thick hair are more protected than short-haired dogs. Well in that department, Bruce and Harvey are more in danger. I would just have to make sure they don't stay out too long and they only do that during healthy hours, anything between 10 am - 4 pm is a no!
For dogs that like to sunbathe lying on their backs and with their bellies exposed, it should be well timed and protected. Direct sun exposure of bellies may cause intestinal tumors and complications. Basically any part of the dog that has less or no hair at all should be well protected.
If the dog has a skin allergy or a recent medical operation make sure to have it protected from direct sunlight. If you want to be sophisticated use some protective clothing like Rashguard. And for some protective masters, they can always use sunblocks! Yes, sunblocks! According to the site, it's best to choose a sunblock that's good for babies and that has NO ZINC OXIDE, which is proven to be toxic for dogs. Try to spread it in small portions first and if there's no allergic reaction, fire away!
Nature knows that I have never treated a sunburnt dog, well not yet I think, but if ever there comes a time, I'll try to soothe him with a cool bath, spread ice cubes in the area and ask a vet for a soothing cream. Better have a non-soap based solution on hand. Neem Herbal Dog soap is a popular brand to treat burns. Better yet, I'll ask my vet soon to have the soothing cream in handy.
Dogs love sunbathing. Fine I get it. But I'll still try to regulate it to avoid nasty complications. Both of my dogs are serious sunbathers and short-haired so at least I know what to do. I guess everything is good in moderation!
That's why I just don't get it why people sunbathe and especially...dogs!! My dogs to be exact.
I first experienced it with Harvey when he was young. Even up until now he finds his most comfortable spot to sunbathe. He sometimes does it near lunch time, which drives me nuts. Harvey, being Harvey, I just thought something's screwed up in his head no matter how smart he is. I thought he was this adrenalin-junkie who attempts to be suicidal for fun. Most of the times we try to shoo him away if we find him too exposed to the sun.
We thought Harvey was an isolated case then we were faced with another serious sunbather. Bruce sometimes picks a spot in the garden and sleeps there until noon. My mother had to call me in the office once just to panic and ask me what to do cause he was lying under the sun for hours, not moving. My mom thought he was just too lazy enough to move and save his own life. Seriously mom, Bruce is lazy BUT NOT THAT LAZY! In the mornings, he stays in the same spot soaking up the 9 am sun.
Two of my dogs are serious sunbathers. And if I mean serious, they sunbathe for hours. I am way past panicking so I read a few articles to achieve some sort of piece of mind.
According to Dogster.com, dogs do love to sunbathe, some are even serious sunbathers and could stay for hours. They love to soak up the warmth of the sun and in a dog level loves to get a doze of Vitamin D. So, I should not panic if I see them lounging under the direct sunlight. They know better and they usually just leave if they've had enough.
For some dogs though, they sleep and forget so that's where human intervention comes in. Humans, if they sense they've had enough, can lead the dog back into the shade. It's never harmful to remind our furry friends that it's not the time to die of heatstroke.
Dogs with thick hair are more protected than short-haired dogs. Well in that department, Bruce and Harvey are more in danger. I would just have to make sure they don't stay out too long and they only do that during healthy hours, anything between 10 am - 4 pm is a no!
For dogs that like to sunbathe lying on their backs and with their bellies exposed, it should be well timed and protected. Direct sun exposure of bellies may cause intestinal tumors and complications. Basically any part of the dog that has less or no hair at all should be well protected.
If the dog has a skin allergy or a recent medical operation make sure to have it protected from direct sunlight. If you want to be sophisticated use some protective clothing like Rashguard. And for some protective masters, they can always use sunblocks! Yes, sunblocks! According to the site, it's best to choose a sunblock that's good for babies and that has NO ZINC OXIDE, which is proven to be toxic for dogs. Try to spread it in small portions first and if there's no allergic reaction, fire away!
Nature knows that I have never treated a sunburnt dog, well not yet I think, but if ever there comes a time, I'll try to soothe him with a cool bath, spread ice cubes in the area and ask a vet for a soothing cream. Better have a non-soap based solution on hand. Neem Herbal Dog soap is a popular brand to treat burns. Better yet, I'll ask my vet soon to have the soothing cream in handy.
Dogs love sunbathing. Fine I get it. But I'll still try to regulate it to avoid nasty complications. Both of my dogs are serious sunbathers and short-haired so at least I know what to do. I guess everything is good in moderation!
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