Sunburn and pets. What not to do, and simple things you can do.

I know for most of us we don't think about our fur covered pets getting sunburned. However, if they are light skinned they do get sunburned. Mostly in areas where the hair covers less or is very short, like ear edges, muzzles, tummies, etc. And yes, sunburn is just as painful and uncomfortable for them as it is for us.

I want to list some simple things you can do to help your furkid if they are sunburned, but first I want to share a little story of what not to apply for on your pet for sunburn!

My husband's family has a house at one of the bigger reservoir/ lakes in the state here. He and his mom and sister have been going there since they were little. When his sister got her first dog, a toy rat terrier type, they took her (Pinky) everywhere with them. Once upon a time, like many of us kids from the 60's and 70's, my Sister in-law learned that for sunburns, you used Noxzema on the burn. HOWEVER, she found out the hard way that just because you use it on yourself,  you don't use it on a little dog that got sunburned! But she did, ALL over the poor little pup! Needless to say Pinky ran from her (I imagine the camphor burned in the sinuses, pets don't like it and will avoid you like the plague) and then she mentioned that trying to catch the dog again to wash it off was something akin to trying to catch a greased piglet. I think if I had witnessed it, I probably would have been tied up in paroxysms of laughter, much like my husband and mother in-law become while relating the story. Poor Pinky, rest her little soul, was the recipient of many learning experiences for my sister in-law.

So, with that being said, that is what NOT to apply to your beloved pet.  Here are a few things that you can safely do for your pet if they are unfortunate to get sunburned.

Apply Aloe gel directly from the plant if you can, or the gel from a bottle with a cotton ball. Apply several times a day.

Vinegar and witch hazel will also remove the "burn" and soothe it.

You can give them a bath in a tub of cool water with Baking Soda in it.

Rubbing sliced cucumbers on the area will help too.

I have found Honey of all things to be one of the things best for burns, it will remove the pain, and keep the area moist. Apply it a couple of times a day, and massage in gently, a point to note, if it is slightly warmed it will be more liquidy and easier to gently work in. I know it sounds like a contradiction, but it really does work and if your pet licks it, it won't make them ill.

Be sure to apply moisturizer to the areas a couple of times a day, if you aren't using honey, to the edges of ears especially. Vitamin E is good, or a pet safe moisturizer.

Some more don'ts...

DON'T apply anything with benzocaine, lidocaine, or ingredients like that. They are toxic to your pet.

Don't apply anything with salicylic acid, it's aspirin and is toxic also especially to kitties.

Some essential oils that might be ok for you, are not ok for pets, so it's better to stick to the simple things.

And if you wish to avoid sunburn on your furkid, look into a pet specific sunblock, or keeping them in screened in areas that block some of the UV rays, or in the shade as much as possible. Don't use people sunblock, again it's got things in it that are toxic to our furry kids.