Sunburn in Dogs
- See your vet immediately if your dog has blistering, open sores, severe pain, lethargy, vomiting, or signs of heat illness along with sun exposure.
- Dogs can get sunburn, especially on the nose, ear tips, eyelids, belly, groin, and other thin-haired or lightly pigmented areas.
- Mild cases may improve with shade, cool compresses, and vet-guided skin care, but some dogs need pain relief, wound care, or treatment for secondary infection.
- Repeated UV exposure can increase the risk of skin damage and some skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, so prevention matters.
Overview
Sunburn in dogs is a skin injury caused by ultraviolet, or UV, radiation. It most often affects areas with thin hair, little pigment, or direct sun exposure, such as the nose, ear flaps, eyelids, belly, groin, and sparsely haired patches. Light-colored, white, hairless, and short-coated dogs are at higher risk, but any dog can burn if the exposure is strong enough or long enough.
Signs & Symptoms
- Red or pink skin on exposed areas
- Warm skin after time in the sun
- Tenderness or pain when touched
- Dry, flaky, or peeling skin
- Cracked skin on the nose or ear edges
- Hair loss in affected areas
- Scratching, rubbing, or licking the area
- Blisters, crusts, or open sores in more severe cases
- Restlessness or reluctance to be handled
- Lethargy or overheating signs after sun exposure
Many dogs with mild sunburn develop red, warm, tender skin a few hours after being outside. As the injury evolves, the skin may become dry, flaky, cracked, or peel. The nose and ear margins are common trouble spots, and some dogs also burn on the belly or groin when they lie on their backs or spend time on reflective surfaces like concrete, sand, or near water.
Diagnosis
Your vet usually diagnoses sunburn by combining the history of recent sun exposure with the appearance and location of the skin changes. They will also look for other problems that can mimic sunburn, including allergies, autoimmune skin disease, infections, contact irritation, trauma, and early skin cancer. That matters because a red, crusty nose or ear tip is not always a simple burn.
Causes & Risk Factors
The direct cause is UV exposure. Risk goes up in dogs with white or light coats, pink or lightly pigmented skin, thin hair coats, clipped or shaved areas, hairless breeds, healing surgical sites, and skin disease that leaves the skin exposed. Reflective environments like beaches, pools, patios, and light concrete can intensify exposure. Midday sun is usually the highest-risk period.
Treatment Options
Spectrum of Care means you have options. Here are treatment tiers at different price points.
Conservative Care
- Home monitoring
- Cool compresses
- E-collar if licking starts
- Basic veterinary exam if symptoms persist
- Vet-guided topical skin support
Standard Care
- Office exam
- Pain relief or anti-inflammatory medication as appropriate
- Topical wound care
- Antibiotics if infection is present
- Recheck visit if healing is slow
Advanced Care
- Comprehensive exam
- Diagnostics such as cytology, biopsy, or bloodwork
- Sedated wound care or bandaging
- Dermatology referral
- Treatment of concurrent heat illness or deeper infection
Cost estimates as of 2026. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual case.
Prevention
Prevention centers on reducing UV exposure and protecting vulnerable skin. Keep at-risk dogs out of strong midday sun when possible, provide reliable shade, and use pet-specific sun protection only if your vet recommends it. Human sunscreen can be risky because ingredients such as zinc oxide and salicylates may cause problems, especially if licked off. If your dog needs sunscreen, ask your vet which product is appropriate and how often to reapply it.
Prognosis & Recovery
Most mild sunburns improve over several days with prompt protection from further sun and supportive care. Recovery can take longer if the skin cracks, becomes infected, or is repeatedly exposed before it heals. Dogs that keep licking or scratching the area may delay healing and need an e-collar or other protection plan from your vet.
Questions to Ask Your Vet
Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.
- Does this look like simple sunburn, or could it be an infection, allergy, autoimmune disease, or skin cancer? Several skin problems can look similar, and the next steps depend on the true cause.
- How severe is my dog’s skin injury, and do you think it needs medication for pain or inflammation? Pain can be easy to miss in dogs, and treatment needs vary with burn depth and location.
- Is there any sign of secondary infection or deeper tissue damage? Cracked, ulcerated, or repeatedly licked skin can become infected and heal more slowly.
- Should my dog use a pet-specific sunscreen, protective clothing, or both? Not every product is safe, and some dogs do better with shade and clothing instead of topical products.
- Which ingredients should I avoid in sunscreen or skin products? Some human products contain zinc oxide or salicylates and may be harmful if licked or absorbed.
- Do you recommend any tests, such as cytology or biopsy, for this lesion? Nonhealing, crusted, or recurring lesions may need more than a visual exam.
- How can I safely exercise my dog outdoors while this heals? A practical plan helps prevent repeat injury and lowers the risk of heat illness.
FAQ
Can dogs really get sunburned?
Yes. Dogs can get sunburn, especially on thin-haired or lightly pigmented areas like the nose, ear flaps, eyelids, belly, and groin.
Which dogs are most likely to get sunburn?
Dogs with white or light coats, pink skin, thin coats, hairless areas, recent clipping, or skin disease are at higher risk. Hairless and short-coated breeds are also more vulnerable.
What does sunburn look like on a dog?
Common signs include red or pink skin, warmth, tenderness, dryness, flaking, peeling, cracking, and sometimes blisters or sores in more severe cases.
Can I put human sunscreen on my dog?
Not unless your vet specifically tells you to. Many human sunscreens contain ingredients such as zinc oxide or salicylates that may be harmful if your dog licks them.
When should I see your vet for dog sunburn?
See your vet right away if the skin is blistered, ulcerated, very painful, infected-looking, or if your dog also seems weak, overheated, or unwell.
Can sunburn in dogs lead to cancer?
Repeated UV damage can increase the risk of some skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, especially in lightly pigmented and sparsely haired areas.
How long does dog sunburn take to heal?
Mild cases may improve within a few days, while deeper or infected burns can take longer and may need prescription treatment and rechecks.