To keep your pet safe, especially during the summer, it's essential to be aware of possible cases of sunburn in cats and dogs. After all, they can also suffer from this problem, so you should know how to prevent it and take care of it.
To help you with this, read on. In the following topics, you'll find the most important information on the subject.
- What sunburn looks like in dogs and cats
- Tips for preventing and caring for burns
What sunburn looks like in dogs and cats
Even in cases where sunburn in dogs and cats is barely visible, the situation can be serious. You therefore need to keep a close eye on your pet, who could suffer serious consequences.
In addition, it is important to understand that the severity of the burn is always proportional to the temperature to which it was exposed, as well as the time of exposure. Thus, the most common are first-degree burns, where only the epidermis is affected, which becomes painful and may flake.
The area also looks damp and whitish, and takes a few days to heal. As soon as you notice signs of a burn, you should take your pet to the vet for appropriate treatment. Another problem is that too much exposure to the sun can cause health problems such as solar dermatitis.
This condition is more common in animals with fair skin and affects areas with less hair. As well as in dogs and cats with sensitive skin or dermatological diseases. The main signs are redness, flaking, the appearance of scabs, dryness, itching, thickened and wrinkled skin.
When pets don't receive adequate treatment and continue to be exposed to the sun, the condition can develop into different types of tumors. UV radiation can also trigger autoimmune dermatoses such as pemphigus foliaceus and lupus erythematosus.
The former is more common in breeds such as Chow Chow, Labrador, Cocker, Bulldog and Akita. The second, in the Collie, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky and Bull Terrier.
Tips for preventing and caring for burns
Before cats and dogs get sunburned, it's best to prevent it, which can be done with simple precautions. These include avoiding walks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when solar radiation is at its strongest, and applying specific sunscreen for pets. O Hydra Reflex protects pets on sunny days, as well as moisturizing their skin.
The product is 100% mineral, offers a dry touch and a mild fragrance, as well as being easy to spread. The formula contains Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which protect the animal's skin by forming a blocking film, as well as Aloe Vera extract, which promotes deep hydration.
O Hydra Reflex should be applied to the areas with the least hair, every two hours. Another tip for protecting dogs and cats from sunburn is to apply the product even on cloudy days, because they can also get sunburned.
