Whether you're heading to the beach or relaxing in the garden with your pooch, it's vital that you have the best dog SPF on hand to protect them from the sun. Just like us humans, dogs can also suffer with sunburn. It can make their skin sore and blistered, not to mention cause redness and crusting on their nose and ears. An SPF for dogs, along with a dog cooling product or two, will make sure your pup can enjoy the sunshine safely.
All dogs can experience problems when they've had too much sun exposure, whether that's being unable to cool down and they start overheating, or they've caught the sun on their nose, face and ears, and ended up being sunburnt. It's important to keep your hound's core temperature down, while also protecting them from the sun. That's why it's a good idea to have a dog cooling mat for them to lay on and cooling toys to play with to keep them chilled, as well as a SPF ready to protect their sensitive areas.
Best dog SPF at a glance:
• Best dog SPF stick: Petkin Sunscreen Stick – view on Amazon UK
• Best dog SPF spray: Petkin Doggy Sunmist Spray – view on Amazon UK
• Best natural SPF for dogs: Be
When it comes to doggy sunburn, there are some dogs that are more prone to feeling the effects of too much time in the sun. Those pooches who are light-coloured or have thin fur/bald patches are more susceptible to sunburn. You can pop a doggy sun hat on their head to shield their face, eyes and nose from direct sunlight but to really block those dangerous UV rays, SPF will help. You'll want to apply two layers at least 15 minutes before your pooch goes outside, focusing particularly on those more delicate features, like their tummy, nose and ear tips. Just make sure you have a toy to hand to distract them so they don't lick it off before it's completely dried.
Whether you're enjoying the sunshine at home or heading off on an outdoor adventure with your pooch, SPF will make sure they're covered wherever they are. We've searched the web for all the best dog SPFs so you can be ready to protect your pup whenever the sun comes out to play in the UK.
Best dog SPF
Best dog SPF stick
Petkin/AmazonA little goes a long way with the Petkin Sunscreen Stick as it has a thick formulation. Its consistency makes this SPF ideal for providing extra protection on their most delicate areas, such as their nose and ears. The vanilla and coconut scent is reminiscent of human sunscreens so it will leave your fur babies smelling delicious, too.
The scent of this sun stick is something that is mentioned in the reviews time and time again, saying it made their pup smell nice. As it smells so good, some pet owners found their pooch try and eat it so you may want to distract them with treats while applying.
Pros
- Smells great
- Thick formula is ideal for extra coverage on sensitive areas
Cons
- Because it smells so nice, your dog may want to try and eat it so you'll want to distract them while applying and drying
Best dog SPF spray
Petkin/AmazonWe all know that trying to get our dogs to stay still enough to have SPF applied when they're raring to get outside can be a challenge, that's why opting for a spray may be an easier option for those with energetic pooches. You simply spray the Petkin Doggy Sunmist Spray on at any time for instant sun protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. Just like the Sunstick we've included above, it has the same deliciously
Reviewers agree that this is easy to apply and is great for dogs that wouldn't sit still enough to have a thicker SPF applied. As it's a slightly thinner product, you may need to apply it more frequently to ensure adequate protection throughout the day. Some reviewers also mentioned that once you get to the end of the bottle, it's hard to get the last drops of product out of the spray.
Pros
- Lovely smell to make your pup smell delicious
- Easy to apply as you just spray it on
Cons
- You may have trouble getting every last drop out of the bottle with a spray
Best natural SPF for dogs
Be:sun/AmazonIf you're someone who tries to use more natural products on their animals, give the Be
As it is a balm formulation, customers have found it to be a little greasy so they said it was a little tricky to apply. That being said, once they've managed to apply it, they found it offered great protection to their pet in the sun and helped their skin to not feel so dry.
Pros
- All natural ingredients that are gentle on your pooch's skin
- Offers two in one protection from both the sun and insects
Cons
- Some pet owners found the formulation to be a little greasy
Best dog SPF that can also be used on cats
Dermoscent/AmazonIf you've also got a kitty at home that could do with a little extra sun protection, this Dermoscent SunFREE SPF30+ Cat & Dog Sunscreen is designed for use on both hounds and moggies. It'll protect their snout and other sensitive areas against UVA and UVB while hydrating it to keep their skin soft and smooth.
The formulation isn't sticky according to customers and it's quite thick too so you can apply it generously to more sensitive areas of skin. If your pup likes to swim, it's worth noting this sunscreen isn't waterproof so it will need to be applied after your pooch has come into contact with water.
Pros
- Protects against UVA and UVB rays
- Hydrating formula to keep skin soft and smooth
Cons
- Needs to be reapplied every two hours and after swimming to ensure optimal protection
Best antibacterial dog SPF
VioVetwww.viovet.co.uk
The Filtabac Antibacterial Sunblock Cream acts as a second skin, providing a protective layer between your pooch and the sun to block out those harmful rays. It’s also equipped with antibacterial properties so it will be soothing and help repair damaged and cracked skin.
Pet owners online love that this cream is a two-in-one antibacterial cream and sunblock so their animal’s skin is protected from the sun while it repairs. Some reviewers pointed out this cream is quite thick so if your hound has long hair, it could be harder to rub in and residue might remain.
Pros
- Acts as a second skin to protect your pooch against the sun
- Equipped with antibacterial properties to repair and soothe damaged skin
Cons
- Some reviews found it to be a little too thick so it's hard to rub in among thick fur
Best dog SPF for top-up protection
Petkin/AmazonThese Petkin Doggy Sunwipes are ideal if you want to protect your dog from the sun while out and about and they're super easy to apply as you just wipe them across their skin. They're also good for any SPF top-ups you'll want to do throughout the day if you've already used a cream or balm first thing. They have the coconut and vanilla scent, just like other Petkin sun products.
Customers have reported these wipes are quite dry so you may need to use a couple of them to get the coverage you need. Apart from that, pet owners think this is a great product and they smell great.
Pros
- Easy to apply as you just wipe across the skin
- Customers love the smell
Cons
- Some customers report they are quite dry so you may need to use a couple at a time to get the desired coverage
Best dog SPF with the highest UV protection
C&G/AmazonLast up is the C&G Pets First Aid Antibacterial Itchy Skin Cream. It's targeted more at repairing skin as it has antibacterial properties so if your pooch already has a little bit of sunburn, this will help to cool and soothe the affected areas. That being said, it still offers SPF 50 sun protection, the highest of any SPFs on our list, so it's ideal for those pups who are particularly sun sensitive.
With over 2,000 reviews, this product is a popular choice with customers on Amazon, rated highly for being easy to apply and relieving dry and itchy skin. The texture of the cream could be improved, however, as some reviewers felt it was slightly greasy.
Pros
- High SPF protection of SPF 50
- Antibacterial and designed to combat itchy and damaged skin
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the texture of the cream could be improved as it's a little greasy
How we chose the best dog SPF
All of these dog SPFs have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered scent, ease of application and protection in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching dog SPFs to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
Best dog SPF FAQs
Can you use human SPF on dogs?
You may think that you can simply use your own SPF on your dog to protect them from the sun, but you definitely shouldn't. Most human SPF and sunscreens often contain chemicals that are toxic to dogs. The best dog SPFs have been formulated with ingredients that are kind to your hound's skin and won't cause them any harm.
You may find some dog SPFs have zinc oxide listed as one of the ingredients. This can be harmful to your pooch, but only if digested in large quantities. If you're worried, make sure you take a look at the ingredients before applying or contact your vet for further advice.
What are the signs of sunburn in dogs?
The most common places for pets to get sunburnt are their paws, ears, nose, eyelids and tummy, so it's important to not only protect your pet from sunburn but also know the symptoms
The PDSA lists the signs of sunburn in pets as the following:
• Redness
• Crusting
• Flaking
• Itching
• Blisters
• General pain
Mild sunburn often heals within a few days and can be managed by you at home, but more severe sunburn cases should be checked by your vet straightaway so they can start treatment as soon as possible.
How do I know when it's too hot for my dog?
As much as dogs love relaxing in the sunshine and following us around outside, there are times when it's just simply way too hot for your pooch to be outside. The best way to tell if it's too hot is to do the pavement test. If holding the back of your hand against the pavement is too much for you to bear, then it's not safe for your dog to be outside.
This means you should try and keep your dog inside and under a sun shade as much as possible (although we know that might be difficult 'when nature calls') You definitely shouldn't walk them until the temperature starts to drop, though. When it's warm, the best time of day to walk your dog is early in the morning or late at night when the temperatures aren't so extreme. Just be sure to do the pavement test first to double-check.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.