Protect Your Dog Naturally From Sunburns to Nose, Skin and Ears With These Foods, Supplements and DIY Sunscreens

protect your dog naturally from sunburn to nose, skin, ears with simple fresh foods and sunscreen recipes
★ 5 min read
In this article:
  1. Sun Burn? With All That Fur? Yes.
  2. Dogs Most at Risk for Sunburn
    1. Which Dogs Are Most At Risk?
    2. UVA, UVB Exposure, Diet and Vulnerability
  3. Natural Sun Protection Dietary Support
    1. Lycopene
    2. Extensive Health Benefits 
    3. Learn More About Lycopene
  4. Natural Topical Sunscreen Protection for Dogs
    1. Simple, Pure Oils With Excellent SPF Protection
    2. Essential Oil Sunscreen Recipe for Dogs
  5. Cautions
 

1.0 Sun Burn? With All That Fur? Yes.

 
Sunlight is important to maintain your dog's health. UVB rays from sunlight are your dog's primary source of natural vitamin D. However, specific factors can leave your dog vulnerable to poor UVB absorption and heightened risk for UVA damage.
 
With all that fur? Yes. It's true dogs can get sun burned. Ultraviolet rays can cause damage to your dog's skin and eyes. Even if your dog has thick fur, your dog's nose and eyes are still vulnerable to UV damage. 
 
Canine sun burns can be just as painful and damaging as sun burns experienced by us humans. 
 
In this article, you'll learn:
  1. How to assess your dog's personal risk.
  2. How to select and use natural dietary and topical aids to ensure maximum benefit from the sun's rays and avoid damage.

2.0 Dogs Most at Risk for Sunburn


dogs most at risk for sunburn include dogs with short fur
 
 2.1 Which Dogs Are Most At Risk?
 
Dogs most at risk of experiencing UV damage to skin are:
  1. Dogs with short hair
  2. Dog with little or no hair
  3. Dogs that spend a lot of time in or on the water (e.g. on the beach, swimming, in a boat).
However, dogs with a thick fur coat are also at risk for UVA damage to:
  1. Ears
  2. Eyes
  3. Nose
 
2.2 UVA, UVB Expose, Diet and Vulnerability
 
protect your dog naturally from UVA damage (sunburn) to skin, nose, ears and eyes

2.2.1 UVA and Sunburn
 
Your dog’s diet and genetics help determine susceptibility to sun burn. 
 
Some dogs are more sensitive to the damaging effects of the sun’s UVA rays.  However, a poor diet can also have a negative impact on the body's natural sunburn prevention mechanisms.


2.2.2 UVB Absorption and Vitamin D
 
Most commercial made-for-pet sunscreens contain a variety of health damaging, toxic, carcinogenic ingredients. 
 
Some of these ingredients also block the skin's ability to absorb UVB rays. Your dog's  body must absorb UVB to maintain healthy vitamin D levels.

Learn more about ingredients to avoid in commercial sun protection products for dogs, go to this article.
 
 
2.2.3 Protect Your Dog From UVA Damage
 
The best plan of action to protect your dog from the damaging effects of the sun’s UVA rays:
  1. Include UVA protective foods in your dog's diet. 
  2. If necessary, depending on your dog's risk factors, use a natural sun screen.
 

3.0 Natural Sun Protection Dietary Support For Your Dog

natural dietary sun protection for dogs, lycopene rich foods
 
3.1 Lycopene
 
Lycopene is a powerful natural phytonutrient and antioxidant present in some fruit and vegetables. Lycopene, a member of the carotenoid family is a red pigment that gives fruit and vegetables their red color.  
 
Lycopene cannot be made by your dog's body. Lycopene must be obtained by consuming lycopene rich plant materials.
 
3.2 Extensive Health Benefits for Your Dog
 
In addition to acting as a natural sunscreen, lycopene also helps prevent and treat:
  1. Chronic disease.
  2. UV damage to eyes, including cataracts  and macular degeneration.
  3. Inflammatory health issues.
  4. Toxic exposures.
3.3 Learn More About Lycopene

Learn more about Lycopene for your dog:

  1. Health benefits.
  2. List of lycopene rich foods for dogs.
  3. What to avoid and why.
  4. How to include lycopene rich foods in your dog's diet.
 

4.0 Natural Topical Sunscreen Protection for Dogs

natural sunscreen protection for dogs, simple SPF sunscreen recipes
 
4.1 Simple, Pure Oils with Excellent SPF Protection

Use one of these pure natural dog safe oils that offer protection targeted to screen out most of the sun’s harmful UVA rays.
 
These oils offer protection  for relatively reasonable periods of time (not all day exposure) without causing the serious side effects of most commercial sunscreens. 
 
Natural oils also:
  1. Nourish the skin.
  2. Allow beneficial UVB rays through to support production of vitamin D. 
Another advantage of pure natural sun screen oils – unlike the commercial chemical-based sunscreens, if your dog licks her skin or fur the natural oils are safe and supportive of overall health.

4.1.1 Carrot Seed Oil 
 
carrot seed oil is a safe, natural sunscreen for dogs
 
Carrot seed oil has a very high rating for sun protection, between “30” SPF and “38” SPF. 
 
As well, carrot seed oil is rich in skin supporting vitamins and antioxidants including carotene and vitamin A. 
 
This oil is of particular therapeutic value for dogs with skin issues. 
 
The only caution:
Carrot seed oil can have an orange tinge.
 
For dogs with white or light fur and skin, temporary color transfer may be occur while the oil is on the skin.

 
4.1.2 Red Raspberry Seed Oil
 
red raspberry seed oil is a safe, natural sunscreen for dogs

Red raspberry seed oil has an excellent SPF rating – estimated at 30 SPF to 50 SPF. 
 
This oil is also rich in vitamin E making it a good choice for dogs that are prone to skin issues. Vitamin E is also a natural preservative – this oil is naturally resistant to rancidity. 
 
Red raspberry oil also has excellent anti-inflammatory properties due to its high content of vitamin A and alpha linolenic acid. 
 
4.1.3 Instructions for Use

Apply a thin layer of the oil to your dog's vulnerable areas. 
  1. If your dog is outside for many hours apply the oil at least two times per day. If your dog's nose is prone to sunburn apply the oil three to four times per day to the nose.
  2. If your dog gets wet (swimming, playing in the sprinkler, etc.) you'll need to reapply the oil. 
Apply to other vulnerable areas such as:
  1. Inner ear flaps.
  2. Edges of outer ear flap.
  3. Underbelly. 
  4. Areas that are missing fur, or where fur is thin.
Storage
  1. Store the oil in a cool, dark, cupboard, or refrigerate.

4.2 Simple Essential Oil Sunscreen Recipe for Dogs

simple essential oil sunscreen recipe for dogs to protect against sunburn to nose, ears, skin, tummy

Make your own essential oil sunscreen with this simple recipe.
 
Some essential oils have excellent sun-blocking properties and provide anti-inflammatory support.

To make your own essential oil sunscreen you will need dog safe:
  1. Organic carrier oil.
  2. High quality therapeutic essential oil.
 
4.2.1 Choose the Essential Oil
Select from:
  1. Lavender Essential Oil, or;
  2. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
 
4.2.2 Choose the Carrier Oil: 
 Select from:
  • Carrot seed oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Jojoba oil 
  • Raspberry seed oil
 
4.2.3 Preparation Instructions
  1. Add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil for every ounce of carrier oil.
  2. Thoroughly mix the carrier oil with the essential oil.
  3. The sunscreen is ready for use.
 
4.2.4 Use and Storage
  1. Apply sparingly.
  2. Avoid getting the mixture in your dog’s eyes.
  3. Reapply as needed throughout the day. 
  4. Store the sunscreen in a cool, dark cupboard.

5.0 Cautions

  1. Don’t use essential oil sun-screen on puppies younger than 8 weeks of age. 
 
Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat
 
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For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:
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My holistic behavioral services are available locally in-person and worldwide via video session.
 
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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld

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