What veterinary science is telling us about UV damage in animals, and why a growing industry is paying close attention.

You’ve watched your dog flip over in the backyard to soak up the afternoon sun. You’ve seen your cat press itself against the sunniest window in the house. It’s one of those sweet, ordinary things pets do. What you might not realize is that while they’re doing it, they could be getting hurt. Whoever thought that a cat sitting in a sunny window would be at risk?

Pets can get sunburned. They can develop skin cancer. And the veterinary world is rapidly catching up to that fact with a new generation of products, prescription treatments, and protective gear that’s turning animal sun care into a serious and fast-growing industry. We can’t do what our grandparents did: just let the animals be animals, bring them indoors at night, and put them back out in the morning. We have more responsibility for them now, and we need to own up to it to protect their health.

More Than Just a Hot Day Problem

When we think about protecting our animals in summer, heat stroke usually comes to mind first. That’s important, no question. But sunburn is its own problem, and it gets a lot less attention. I know I never thought any of our dogs would be at risk of sunburn, and I am sure most of you haven’t given it much thought either.

Medically, sunburn in animals is called solar dermatitis. It’s caused by ultraviolet radiation, the same UV rays that damage human skin. UV radiation comes in two main forms. UVA causes skin aging and is linked to cancer. UVB causes the red, painful burning we associate with a bad day at the beach. Animals are exposed to both.

Fur does provide some protection. But it doesn’t cover everything, and it doesn’t help every animal equally. Pets with light-colored or white fur, thin coats, pink skin, or no hair at all are at the highest risk. That includes Dalmatians, bull terriers, white cats, and hairless breeds like the Sphynx cat. But it also includes your regular everyday golden retriever who loves to roll on his back in the sun, exposing his belly, his groin, and the underside of his tail.

The areas most likely to burn are the ones you’d expect: the nose, the ear tips, the eyelids, and the belly. Cats with white ears are especially vulnerable. Board-certified veterinary dermatologist Dr. Jill Abraham has noted that squamous cell carcinomas show up on the ear tips of cats, on their noses, and even on their eyelids. These aren’t minor skin irritations. They’re cancers.

What Sunburn Looks Like in a Pet

Early sunburn in animals shows up as reddened, warm, or sensitive skin. You might notice peeling, flaking, or your pet flinching when you touch a certain spot. A more serious burn can blister and scab. And if a pet is burned repeatedly over time, the risk of skin cancer goes up significantly.
Those cancers can include squamous cell carcinoma, hemangiosarcoma, and malignant melanoma. Early detection matters a great deal. A veterinarian can examine unusual spots, non-healing sores, or skin that looks crusty and discolored. Catching skin cancer early gives a pet a much better chance at a good outcome.

Something else worth knowing: even indoor cats aren’t completely safe. If your cat sunbathes next to a sunny window, it’s still soaking up UVA rays right through the glass.

A Growing Industry Responds

The veterinary dermatology market is booming. In 2024, the global market for veterinary dermatology drugs was valued between $10.8 billion and $17.4 billion, depending on the research firm, with projections showing it reaching as high as $29.5 billion by 2030. That kind of growth reflects how seriously the field is now taking skin health in animals.

The prescription segment leads that market. Veterinarians are prescribing more dermatological medications than ever before, including treatments for conditions worsened by sun exposure. In September 2024, the FDA approved Zenrelia, a new drug for the control of itching connected to allergic dermatitis in dogs. And in 2024, Zoetis launched a new dermatological line targeting allergic dermatitis, using bioactive ingredients backed by clinical trials.

Beyond prescription drugs, the over-the-counter segment is growing fast too, at a projected rate of about 9.7% annually through 2030. In North America alone, the pet skin care products market was valued at $2.1 billion in 2024. Protective accessories are a growing part of that picture.

UV-blocking shirts and bodysuits for dogs, with UPF 50+ ratings, are now widely available alongside hats, visors, and sun goggles specifically designed for pets. Published research in the journal Veterinary Dermatology examined UV protection for free-range pigs and found that proper shade cloth materials could meaningfully reduce harmful UV exposure in animals with light-colored skin.

The Sunscreen Problem

Here’s where things get complicated, and where it’s really important to pay attention. You cannot just grab your own sunscreen and rub it on your dog or cat. Some ingredients in human sunscreens are toxic to pets.

The two biggest concerns are zinc oxide and salicylates. The ASPCA lists both as the main ingredients to avoid in any product applied to a pet. Zinc oxide, that thick white cream you see on lifeguards’ noses, can damage a pet’s red blood cells if it’s ingested, and pets will lick it off. Salicylates, chemicals related to aspirin, can cause stomach ulcers, vomiting, and, in serious cases, liver damage if a pet eats them in quantity.

A published case report in the Open Veterinary Journal documented a small dog who developed severe anemia after repeatedly licking a zinc oxide cream that had been applied to her skin. The dog required emergency care and intensive treatment. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center fields many calls about sunscreen ingestion during warmer months.

The direction from veterinary toxicologists is clear: only use sunscreens specifically made for pets, and check with your vet before trying any new product. When choosing a pet-safe sunscreen, look for one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of at least 30. Apply it 10 to 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply often, especially if your pet swims. Focus on the vulnerable spots: the nose, ear tips, belly, and any area with thin fur or pink skin.

Simple Steps That Make a Real Difference

The easiest protection is shade. Keep outdoor pets shaded during the hottest and sunniest part of the day, roughly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening. Provide shelter and shady spots for any animals that spend time outside.

For pets who love to bask in the sun, UV-protective clothing is a practical option. These garments have come a long way from the novelty dog shirt. They’re designed to allow comfortable movement, wick moisture, and block UV rays all at the same time.

And check your pet’s skin regularly. Run your hands over their body every few weeks. Look for new lumps, sores that won’t heal, or skin that looks unusual. The earlier you catch something, the better.

Your pet trusts you completely. They don’t know what UV radiation is. They don’t know that the warm patch of sunlight on the floor could be doing them harm. That part is yours to handle. And now, thankfully, the veterinary industry is giving you more tools than ever to do it.