Althaia Veterinary Hospital brings you some tips to keep your pet safe during the summer. Their professional team of vets speak English, French and Spanish, and are always available for any consultation.

Safe sunbathing

If your dog likes to loll in the sun, soaking up the warming rays, you need to watch that he doesn’t become overheated, or even sunburned. It’s a good idea to encourage your dog into the shade during the hottest part of the day. Or if he refuses to stay in the shade, perhaps it is safer to keep him indoors for a few hours (say, between 11am and 2pm), and preferably until the temperature has cooled down later in the afternoon.

Indoor sunbathing

If you allow your dog to ‘sunbathe’ in a glassy conservatory, or similar area with a lot of windows, make sure that the temperature does not rise too high, and do not leave the dog unsupervised for long periods of time. Also, ensure that the dog can retreat to a cool, shady area at all times.

Sun screen

White dogs and dogs with pale ear and/or noses need extra protection on sunny days, as white fur and unprotected skin offers little protection against the harmful rays of the sun. During the summer months vets regularly see white dogs suffering from sunburn and sadly in extreme cases, cancers of the nose and ears. Breeds such as the Bull Terrier, which have both pale skin and thin fur, are particularly at risk.

Try to prevent the damage from occurring in the first place. If your dog is white or has a pale nose or ears, buy some sunblock for your pet when you buy your own! You should apply it to the vulnerable spots every day, and more frequently if your dog is outside in the sun for long periods of time. Use a sunscreen that is known to be non-toxic to dogs - your vet will be able to advise you if you are unsure. This is because dogs have a natural inclination to lick off anything that is applied to their fur and skin - making non-toxic products vital. It also means that you may need to apply your pet’s sun block several times a day. Your dog may at first be confused or reluctant to allow you to apply the cream, but he will soon get used to the routine.

If you see an unidentified lesion on your dog’s skin, ask your vet to take a look at it, in case it is skin cancer. Skin cancers can often be successfully removed if caught early.

Althaia Veterinary Hospital
Cuesta de las Narices 40
03590 Altea
Tel. +34 966 880 157
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