Everyone loves the warmth of the sun and some even find it so comfortable that they can squeeze in an afternoon nap. Dogs fit into this category. While there are many benefits to your dog laying in the sun, there can also be some negatives. Please read on to find out more.
Why Dogs Like To Lay In The Sun (Is It Safe To Let Them?)
Dogs like to lay in the sun for a multitude of reasons. Like humans, they enjoy the warmth of the sun. Also, it can help your dog to absorb essential nutrients like Vitamin D3, regulate their sleep cycles, and help their metabolism and energy levels stay healthy.
Why Does My Dog Lay In The Sun On Hot Days?
Your dog can still want to lay in the sun on hot days. This can be for a multitude of reasons. It can be to help him fall asleep, help his Vitamin D3 consumption, and many other reasons.
Why Do Old Dogs Like To Lay In The Sun (Is It Safe For Them)?
It is safe for dogs of any age to lay in the sun as long as it is not too prolonged. It is also important to make sure your dog has multiple ways to cool itself off after laying in the sun.
What Is The Relationship Between Temperature And Uv Index?
There is no relationship between temperature and UV Index. According to bom.gov.au, UV levels are not related to how hot or cold the temperature is.
What Is The Safest Uv Index Level For Dogs To Lay In The Sun?
10 am to 4 pm is usually a safe time for walks or other sun exposure.
What Is A Dangerous Uv Index Level For Dogs To Lay In The Sun?
A UV index of 3 or higher is considered too dangerous for your dog to be out. If the UV index reaches these levels, you are better off in a shaded area or just staying indoors.
When Is It Good For My Dog To Lay In The Sun?
It is good for your dog to lay in the sun most days as long as the temperature is not too hot. Make sure that he has water and a safe, shaded spot to relocate so he doesn’t get sunburn or other sun-related injuries.
Do Dogs Need Sunlight For Vitamin D?
Dogs can’t get Vitamin D3 through sunshine, they cannot soak it in or ‘synthesize’ it through their skin. This is why they have to groom themselves to get the nutrients. A dog can also get Vitamin D3 from dietary intake. So while the sun doe not provide your dog with the vitamin, it must be ingested through self-grooming for it to take effect.
How Do Dogs Absorb Vitamin D?
Vitamin D3 resides on a dog’s fur and gets consumed when the dog cleans and grooms itself. So when your dog is laying in the sun, he is soaking up vitamin D3 into his coat.
Why Does My Dog Smell After Being In The Sun?
Though dogs do not sweat, they can still get some perspiration in their paws as well as have some yeast and bacteria that are on their skin. The sun and/or getting wet can cause these microorganisms to smell. The perspiration on their paws can smell as well.
Does A Dog’s Coat Protect It From Bad UV Rays From The Sun?
While a dog’s fur does provide some protection from the sun, you will need to take other protective measures as well. Things like dog sunscreen and sun shirts for dogs help to make sun protection well-rounded.
Can Dogs Get Sunburns?
Dogs can indeed get sunburn. This can happen on the dog’s exposed skin or body parts.
Can Dogs Get Heat Stroke?
Yes, dogs can get heatstroke. In fact, due to their lack of sweat glands and furry coats that absorb the sun/Vitamin D3, they can overheat very easily.
Be aware of the signs of heat stroke in dogs and try not to let your dog lay out in the sun for too long.
Can Dogs Get Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is ‘the most commonly diagnosed cancer in dogs, typically affecting older animals.
The site says that it occurs as a wart-like patch or lump commonly found on the dog’s lower legs, abdomen, rear end, and head. If you come across anything like this on your dog, it would be best to take him to the vet.
Can Dogs Become Dehydrated By Laying In The Sun For Too Long?
Yes, a dog can become dehydrated if it lies in the sun for too long. They can also experience other sun-related illnesses such as skin cancer, sunburn, and heat stroke.
Why Is My Dog Laying In Sun Panting?
As we’ve discovered in this article, dogs do not possess sweat glands, so they have to pant to cool themselves off. So if your dog is panting while laying in the sun, it may have begun to feel overheated.
Call your dog into the house or a cool, shadowed place and give them a drink of water.
How Long Should I Let My Dog Lay In The Sun?
It is alright to let your dog lay in direct sunlight for about 20-40 minutes per day.
What Happens When The Dog Is In The Sun For Too Long
While there are many positive benefits to your dog sunbathing, there can be some negatives as well. Please read on to the next section to find out more.
What Can I Do If My Dog Is In The Sun For Too Long?
Your dog can receive ‘heat and sun-related injuries, the same as humans. Parts of the dog’s body that are reachable by and/or exposed to the sun-such as their mouth, footpads, and some areas of skin, like the stomach can be injured or burnt.
It is also important to note that dogs do not have sweat glands, so they can overheat.
It is important to make sure your dog has a cool, shaded place to move to if they begin to get overheated.
What Are The Benefits Of Dogs Laying In The Sun?
Dogs can absorb Vitamin D3, warm themselves, help themselves fall asleep, and regulate their internal rhythms.
False Claim! – Produce Vitamin D – “Unable To Perform Vitamin D Cutaneous Synthesis Through Sun Exposure. Therefore, They Are Dependent On The Dietary Intake Of This Nutrient” (Dogs Are Unable To Synthesize Vitamin D3 Through Skin Sun Exposure) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7761812/
There are some rumors and false claims that dogs can naturally produce Vitamin D3 on their own or with the help of the sun.
But this is not true.
Laying in the sunlight can not provide Vitamin D3 It can only get some Vitamin D3 from dietary .
Sun Cheers Them Up
Yes; sunlight can indeed cheer up your dog. It can boost their serotonin-a feel-good hormone.
Sun Bathing Feels Good
Like their human counterpart, dogs love to lay in the sun because it feels good. They like the feeling of warmth that it provides.
The warmth from the sun can raise your pup’s body temperature. So when your dog is feeling a chill, it may simply stretch out in the sun.
Improves Their Sleep
Sunlight can even help to regulate their circadian rhythm. Melatonin levels rise as it begins to get dark. This signals to the dog that it is time to go to sleep. The circadian rhythm can also control your dog’s energy and metabolism. So keeping this rhythm healthy is important.
Sunlight helps to keep your dog’s sleep, energy, and metabolism regular and healthy.
Dries Their Coat
The warmth and heat can dry your dog’s coat after they’ve gotten it wet somehow. This could be after a bath, rainstorm, or swim.
Potentially Kill Some Germs On Their Coat
Sunshine can kill germs and bacteria on a dog’s coat as well as its skin.
Heal Minor Skin Wounds
As mentioned above, sunshine can kill bacteria that reside in minor skin wounds on your dog. Some veterinarians even use ‘full spectrum lighting’ in their pet recovery rooms to help the wounds heal.
It helps Soothe Away Aches And Pains
Sometimes dogs will lay in the sun to help soothe their aches and pains.
Does Laying In The Sun Boost Their Immune System?
Yes, lying in the sun does boost a dog’s immune system. It is one of the benefits of absorbing vitamin D3.
Does Laying In The Sun Promote Healthy Blood Circulation?
Yes, laying in the sun can increase a dog’s blood flow. According to dogsandclogs.com, feeling warm and snuggly is not the only benefit of laying in the sun. Your dog’s blood circulation increases among other benefits.
Do Dogs Get Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad) Without Sunshine?
The weather and its changes can indeed affect a dog’s mood. According to PetMD.com, while we don’t know if it is Seasonal Affective Disorder for sure, we do know that the weather can affect them. For example, when there is less sun and daylight, the dog’s serotonin and melatonin both drop. This can make them feel sad. But there could be other explanations as well.
How To Keep Your Dog Safe While Laying In The Sun?
The following are a few options to help you keep your dog safe while he lays in the sun.
Access To Shaded Area From Direct Sunlight
Your dog needs to have an area to go to when they begin to feel too hot and/or needs protection from the sun. A tree, an umbrella, or an awning are all good options for this. Keep an eye on your dog to ensure that they are not showing signs of heat stroke or other related health conditions.
Plenty Of Hydration
Make sure your dog always has plenty of water at all times but especially when they are lying in the sun.
Wet Towels
Wet towels can help our dog cool down your dog. The water on the towel should be cold and the towel should be kept continuously damp.
Dog Appropriate Sunscreen (Spf Of 30 Or Higher )
Another way to protect your dog from the sun is to apply dog-appropriate sunscreen. Typically these sunscreens are 30 SPF or higher. You can find ones that are reasonably priced and found on familiar websites such as Chewy.
Sun Shirts For Dogs
Like dog-appropriate sunscreen, sun shirts are used to protect your dog’s skin from the sun. There are a plethora of different brands, sizes, and styles available online and in pet stores.
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3882779/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3298380/