Summer heat is approaching, and with warmer temperatures comes more time outside for both you and your dog. Just like humans, dogs can get sunburned, so keeping your four-legged friends protected from the sun is of utmost importance.
Breeds with thin coats, white coats, and hairless breeds with no coat are more prone to sunburns than darker colored, heavily coated breeds. Dogs who like to sunbathe or pups who go on lots of outdoor adventures with their families are more prone to sunburn than pups who seek out the shade and stay indoors and may benefit from one of the best dog sunscreens.
Do Dogs Need Sunscreen?
Yes, dogs may need sunscreen if they spend a lot of time in direct sunlight, and if they’re predisposed to sunburns. Putting a dog-safe sunscreen on your dog’s ears, nose, lips, inner thighs, and belly will help keep the areas with the least hair protected from the sun’s harsh rays.
No, it’s not safe to use human sunscreen on your dog. Human sunscreens often contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like zinc oxide and salicylates. These ingredients can cause everything from gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and vomiting to toxicosis and organ failure, so it’s best to keep them far away from your furry friend (and don’t let them lick you if you’re wearing sunscreen with these ingredients).
Since dogs often lick their skin, it’s important to buy a sunscreen made specifically for dogs that is safe to be ingested.
Traits We Want in the Best Dog Sunscreens
Dog-safe ingredients: The best dog sunscreen is a dog safe sunscreen. Sunblocks formulated for pups should be safe for accidental ingestion, as dogs often lick themselves and may lick sunscreen off their skin. They should also be free from ingredients toxic to dogs, like zinc oxide, salicylates, and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid).
SPF sun protection: Dog sunscreens often feature an SPF rating, just like human sunscreens. You’ll find that most dog sunscreens come in the 15-30 SPF range, with some featuring higher ratings. What’s more important than SPF though, is choosing a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen and applying it regularly on your pup.
Water-resistance: If you’ll be kayaking, spending time at the beach, or going on hikes where your dog may take a dip in mountain creeks or lakes, water resistance will ensure your pup’s skin is still protected while they splash in the water.
Convenience: Choose an application method that your dog will tolerate and that you’re likely to use. Sunscreen doesn’t work unless it’s applied properly and reapplied every few hours, so grab the one that you’re most likely to use, whether its a spray, lotion, balm, or wipe.
The Best Dog Sunscreens
| Whole Dog Journal Rating | Product name, maker, maker’s website | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen | $39 for 2-pack | The only FDA-approved dog sunscreen, Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen is commonly recommended by vets, has an easy-to-use spray applicator, and is non-greasy. |
| Petkin SPF-15 Doggy Sun Stick | $12 | For quick application to noses, ears, and other small areas, the Petkin Doggy Sun Stick is a convenient balm to carry with you. |
 | Petkin Dog Sunscreen Sunwipes | $14 | If your dog won’t tolerate a spray or lotion, the Petkin Dog Sunscreen Sunwipes offer SPF protection in a more convenient application. However, because of the wipe format, you can’t see where you’ve applied sunscreen and which areas could use more. |
| Lucky Pup SPF40 Lotion Dog Cream Sunscreen | $11 | The highest SPF option on this list, the Lucky Pup SPF40 is ideal for hairless dogs or extra sensitive skin that needs extra protection. It’s mostly scent-less and most dogs don’t seem to want to lick it off. |
Best Dog Sunscreen: Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen
The Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen is the only dog sunscreen on the market that’s FDA approved. That doesn’t mean that other options aren’t effective, but it does mean that this option has been certified to be safe for your pet and effective at protecting their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. This sunscreen is labeled SPF30+ and the spray applicator is fairly easy to use, though the product comes out more liquid than you might expect.
The one downside of this option is that it has an alcohol-like odor when spraying that some tester dogs found aversive. If your dog has trouble with aerosol sprays or alcohol scents, go for a different option.
Best Dog Sunscreen Stick: Petkin SPF 15 Doggy Sun Stick
If your pup is prone to sunburn on small areas like their nose, ear tips, or small areas of pink skin, the Petkin SPF 15 Doggy Sun Stick is a convenient way to keep your pup’s skin protected. It’s like a large lip balm, is easy to keep in your bag or car when on-the-go, and can be easily rubbed on your dog’s skin without having to get product all over your hands.
It dries mostly matte, so it doesn’t leave your dog’s skin or coat feeling greasy. We docked a point on it because the cap on the applicator doesn’t seem to click closed and will pop up after closing it.
Best Dog Sunscreen Wipes: Petkin Dog Sunscreen Sunwipes
Not all dogs will tolerate you spray sunscreens or lengthy lotion application. The Petkin Dog Sunscreen Sunwipes are a bit easier to apply than traditional dog sunscreens, while still offering SPF benefits. They’re rated SPF 15 and have a pleasant vanilla coconut scent.
The main downside of these wipes, though, is that they don’t leave any visual evidence of where you’ve applied sunscreen and where you might need to apply more. To ensure your dog has been fully protected in sensitive areas, pet parents will have to be extra thorough with application.
Highest SPF Dog Sunscreen: Lucky Pup SPF 40 Lotion Dog Cream Sunscreen
The Lucky Pup SPF 40 Lotion Dog Cream Sunscreen comes in a small 2.3 oz bottle, but a little goes a long way. This lotion is thick and concentrated, and easy to spread around larger areas. This is a great option for those looking for a highly protective sunscreen for larger areas on your dog like their belly, inner thighs, or areas that have been shaved.
It’s unscented, isn’t greasy, doesn’t leave any residue on your dog’s skin, and since it’s unscented, most dogs don’t seem interested in licking it off themselves (though it is safe for licking).
