While black dogs may be at higher risk of overheating, the only reason they may be more susceptible to a sunburn is if they have short fur or fair skin that allows the sun to penetrate it. The colour of their fur, in this case, doesn't have a significant effect.
So just like how people need to slather themselves in sunblock, our dogs need to do the same when they spend time in the sun. That being said, it never hurts to be extra cautious. You should even put sunscreen on your pooch if they have dark skin or fur and are about to spend a lot of time outside on a sunny day.
Signs of Sunburn in Dogs
Red or pink skin. Sore or tender skin. Hair loss at affected areas. Dry, cracked, or misshapen ear tips.
Types of Dogs Most at Risk
Some breeds of dogs at higher risk of sunburn due to their thin fur coat include pitbulls, Dalmatians, boxer dogs, Weimaraners, greyhounds and Chinese crested dogs.
The short and long answer—yes. Yup, it's true that Black and dark-skinned people are less sensitive to the sun, but that doesn't mean that you can't get a sunburn, skin damage, hyperpigmentation, or even skin cancer.
Americans with darker complexions still face a real risk from the sun, many dermatologists say, including a higher risk of death if they do get melanoma. Those same experts stress everyone should wear sunscreen to protect against forms of skin cancer and other harmful effects. “The risk is less.
Dog Breeds Predisposed to Sunburn
Dogs with white or thin coats and dogs with light-pigmented noses and eyelids are also more at risk for sunburn. This includes breeds like Collies, Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Whippets, and any dog with light or white pigment on their ears or near their nose.
The layers of your dog's fur coat are insulators that can actually help keep them cool in the summer by blocking out heat. And, even if it's not a perfect barrier, their fur also helps protect their skin from UV rays.
Human sunscreen is not suitable for use on dogs due to the presence of certain ingredients that are simply not dog-friendly. Harmful ingredients to dogs, like zinc oxide and para-aminobenzoic acid, are commonly found in human sunscreens.
Dogs can get sunburnt just like us, anywhere from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. However, areas covered by a thin layer of coat or no hair at all are more susceptible to the effects of direct sunlight.
For pets at risk of sunburn, the answer is to apply pet-safe sunscreen. Avoid people products: Most human sunscreens contain zinc oxide. A big difference between people and pets is we don't tend to lick at sunscreen. When ingested in large quantities, zinc is toxic to dogs, so human products should be avoided.
Dogs with thick fur coats
Additionally, the darker the dog's fur the more heat it will absorb and dogs with black fur are at a higher risk of overheating.
Many black dog breeds are among the smartest dogs in the world, and are often used for service, military and police work. These pawtastic pups are notoriously easy to train, and seem to be predisposed to help us in many ways.
It's important to provide your dog with access to shade and water at all times, especially during hot and humid weather. As a general guideline, you should limit your dog's sun exposure to no more than 30 minutes at a time, particularly during the peak sun hours between 10 am and 4 pm.
Before you head out for a long sunny hike or a day at the beach, remember to generously apply an excellent sunscreen for you and your dog. You may not realize it, but those powerful rays are just as dangerous to your pet as they are to you. And dogs can get an itchy red sunburn just like humans!
There are some sunscreens created specifically for pets, but using baby sunscreen is also an option. Most human sunscreens have ingestion warnings because the ingredients can be toxic if a child or dog ingests them, so if your pet is likely to lick it, look for a pet-specific sunscreen.
Don't let them get burnt – Keep your dog out of direct sunlight where you can. Use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your dog's skin, like the tips of their ears and nose. Ask your vet for more advice if needed. Check ahead for adventures –If you're planning a day out somewhere, check whether dogs are welcome.
The Sun Can Improve Their Mood
Exposure to the suns rays stimulates the production of serotonin in you and your furry friend, which happens to be a natural antidepressant so it creates a feeling of happiness.
Areas of the skin that are repeatedly exposed to the harmful rays of the sun are more prone to skin cancer, which makes it especially important to protect your pet from sunburn. Early detection can make a big difference in your pet's prognosis, so be sure to look over your pet's skin regularly.
WHAT DOES SUNBURN LOOK LIKE ON BLACK SKIN? Darker skin tones will go darker and the area of sun burn will feel hot and painful. Your skin may appear dry and cracked. This can range from mild to severe.
Do we need sunscreen as Africans? The answer is an emphatic “YES”. We as much as anybody else need to wear suncreen due to our geographical location. There are certain factors which can affect the amount of UV rays that one is exposed to ant any given time and one of that is geographical location.
“While it's true that darker skin types do have inherent sun protection factors because of the melanin, that's only going to be three to five SPF. You need at least SPF 30 to protect against the sun's harmful rays.”