It’s going to be the perfect day. There’s a little breeze in the air, the sun is out, zero chance of rain. The list of things you’ve got planned begin to take shape and they all revolve around the park, a picnic, and of course your puppy.  With the temps climbing you remember to grab the sunblock before hitting the road for a fun filled day outside, but what about your pet? If you thought sunscreen is just for people, than take note cause according to Veterinary Partner.com you could be harming your pet by taking them out without protection from the sun’s harmful rays.  Very few people realize that pets such as dogs and cats are very susceptible to sunburn since most tend to live in backyards all over the world. However animals that “have light-colored noses and thin, very short, or missing fur are most in need of protective sunscreen, or sunblock.”

By not taking steps to protect you pet from the sun you could not only be inadvertently exposing it to problems such as sunburn and dry skin, but too much exposure could in fact lead to skin cancer like it does with their human counterparts. Before you hit the road for the day’s jog around the block or if you simply have a pet that stays in a fenced in enclosure with nothing more than a lonely doghouse to provide shade, make sure they are safe by giving them a good coating of sunblock. “The sunscreen should be fragrance free, non-staining, and contain UVA and UVB barriers similar to SPF 15 or SPF 30 for humans. (SPF labeling and claims are not permitted in products marketed for use on pets, however, because the FDA has not established a test to determine SPF values in pets.) Some protective ingredients include  Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octyl Salicylate, Homosalate and  Benzophenone-3.  Octyl Salicylate products should not be used on cats.”

Remember to put some around their nose, ears, groin, and any other areas where the hair is thin. If you’re worried that the sunblock you are using on your own skin may not be the best for your pet, pick up a bottle of baby formulated sunscreen or better yet ask your local pet store for sunscreen especially made with pets in mind. Whatever you do though, the next time you get ready for a day of fun and sun, remember that you’re not the only one who will suffer from the consequences of not having enough protection.