White Boxers and Sunburns

[ThortheBoxer]

Hello, we have a white boxer pup, and I've heard that white boxers, are more prone to sunburn. I was just wondering if that's true, and if so what I can do to make sure Loki dosn't burn. Can you use sunscreen on a dog?
thanks

 

[gmacleod]

Yes, it's true. White boxers are white (acutally colourless) because of lack of pigment. And very much as is the case for people, those with very pale skin/little pigment are more prone to burning - and certain consequences of burning, such as freckles and skin cancers - than those with higher amounts of pigment.

The same is true of the dog - where he is unpigmented (and this is more extremely unpigmented than pale-skinned humans) he is more at risk of burning in the sun than where he may be pigmented (or than a normally pigmented dog).

Anyway - what you can do about it is exactly what you've thought of. Use sunscreen Especially on areas where he may also have very little hair, such as parts of the head. Sticks and sprays are generally better than lotions (last longer, and harder to lick off). He can wear a t-shirt too, for protecting his body in times of longer exposure.

 

[ThortheBoxer]

I think she would look cute too, but my boyfriend is very against putting clothes on dogs. Mind you I did convince him to get a coat for them for the winter, so you never know haha

 

[punchinella]

I like to tie bandanas around Punchie's head where she has white space to protect her from the sun. Too cute I may get a her hat this summer. And we use sunscreen on her as well, so far we've had no adverse effects.

 

[Lola's mum]

Last summer I put it on Casper's backs of his legs, ears and whereever his fur is thin. The spray is much easier. I just used childrens high factor.

 

[liamsmom]

for our two whites.......we limit their time in the sun and we use spray on sunscreen when we need to. just make sure you don't get it in their eyes. i got it in my eye once and it burned like crazy!

 

[butlersmom]

I think she would look cute too, but my boyfriend is very against putting clothes on dogs. Mind you I did convince him to get a coat for them for the winter, so you never know haha

Hopefully if you explain to him that a t-shirt will help in avoiding skin cancers, etc. he'll have a change of heart. Me, I wouldn't care what it looked like as long as my baby was protected.

 

[gmacleod]

... but my boyfriend is very against putting clothes on dogs.

LOL
Well, so am I if it's for dressing them up! But for avoidance of sunburn (which in turn can lead to skin and other cancers), I think I'd let my common sense take priority over my sense of dignity

It's not needed as a daily thing. But in circumstances that the dog is likely to be out in harsh sun for long periods (say you're going boating, for example - or even just out on an all-day picnic), then it's a lot more practical to just stick a t-shirt on him that to keep on applying sunblock. All depends on where you live though, how harsh the sun is, and whether or not he burns.