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[This article is out of Australia, but the same applies here in the states. Even in the winter, the sun can be brutal, especially on dogs with light colored or thin coats. There are actually products you can apply to your dog’s sensitive skin to protect him. Check Amazon for the widest variety. And please remember, when you use Amazon to designate The Puppy Up Foundation as your Amazon Smile recipient. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Thank you.]

From Vet Practice Magazine

Many pet owners are unknowingly putting their dogs and cats at a high risk of developing skin cancer because they don’t realise the impact the sun can have on their animal’s health, according to the head of an Australian app-based, home visit vet booking service.

Melbourne veterinarian Dr Vadim Chelom, chief executive officer of Pawssum, said dogs and cats were very prone to skin cancer but many owners simply weren’t aware of the risks.

“Because they have fur, we just don’t think about protecting them from the sun the way we think about protecting our own skin but sun exposure is a big issue because dogs and cats can get sunburnt but they won’t avoid the sun, even in high temperatures,” Dr Chelom said.

“These animals usually develop cancers in places which are hairless so their nose, eyelids, ears, and abdomen are at increased risk—especially the belly because many dogs love to sunbake on their back.”

According to Pet Insurance Australia, in 2016 there were approximately 1,500 claims Australia-wide for skin cancer in dogs. Cats also suffer the effects of skin cancer but statistics indicate they don’t as much as dogs.

“Skin cancers in dogs and cats are usually not melanomas, so they are often not pigmented—they can be completely white—which can make them hard to spot by owners,” said Dr Chelom.

“And in cats, in particular, skin cancers are often not lumps at all; they may be erosions on skin which can be very confusing.

“In short, it’s best to have a vet examine every lump in dogs or cats because there’s no way to tell skin cancer by looking at it and, if you’re worried, sooner rather than later is better because delaying a skin check may allow the cancer to spread, making it too late to treat.”

Dr Chelom also issued a warning about sunscreens and pets.

“Human sunscreens can be toxic to dogs—the ones with zinc in them can cause gastrointestinal issues so should be avoided,” he said.

“Pet sunscreens are safe but shouldn’t be solely relied upon because it’s hard to apply them to the right areas, they only last for two hours or so, and pets often will lick them off.”

Vet Practice magazine and its associated website is published by Engage Media.