6 Best Dog Sunscreens to Protect Your Pup From the Sun

The Good Housekeeping Institute reviews pet products of all kinds, from nail clippers for grooming to comfy dog beds for lounging around. Our experts have scoured the data, ingredients lists and research for each pet sunscreen to ensure we only suggest the safest and best options to our readers and their furry friends.

We consider safety, scent, texture, efficacy and more when choosing our favorite picks. We also spoke with multiple veterinarians about which ingredients are safe to include in pet sunscreen. These picks are made up of our expert's favorites and popular brands with rave reviews from real pet parents and vets.

You're probably thinking: my dog is covered in fur and I've never heard of putting sunscreen on them. But, just like humans, dogs are susceptible to sun damage and can even get sunburns just like us.

"You don’t have to apply [sunscreen] to areas with hair because they’re usually well protected," says Christine Cain, B.S., D.V.M., Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. But, many veterinary dermatologists agree that dogs' ears, abdomens and noses are most affected by the sun. And since their paws are usually facing down and often have thick, darker skin, you can probably skip that area, but you can apply a paw wax like Musher's Secret to protect paws from hot sidewalks or beaches. Talk to your dog's vet if you have any concerns regarding sun protection.

No matter which form of sun protectant you use, the best way to prevent sun damage is to simply stay out of the sun. "Reduce the amount of time that your pet is outdoors, particularly within those high times of UV light exposure which is 10 am to 4 pm," Dr. Cain explains.

While you should probably put some sunscreen on your dog's exposed skin like their nose, ears and abdomens no matter the breed, not all pooches need overall coverage. "Just like some people are more sensitive to the sun than others, every dog is different," says Andrew Rosenberg, D.V.M, D.A.C.V.D at Riverdale Veterinary Dermatology in New Jersey. "The dogs that are most susceptible [to sunburn] are dogs with white hair and non-pigmented skin that like to sunbathe on their backs." This means hairless dogs and those with light, thin coats need a bit more protection.

When you're applying protection to your pooch, it's not that different from applying sunscreen on yourself.

First, patch-test before applying all over to make sure your pet doesn't have any negative reactions. Then, make sure to rub in the sunscreen thoroughly and reapply often if your pet is lazing around in the sun all day.

Just like humans, you should re-apply every few hours, after swimming or if your dog licks the area before the sunscreen is able to set, says Dr. Cain.

Don't forget the inside of their ear flaps and their bellies which also need to be protected. Since all dog sunscreens are made with the understanding that your pup will likely lick some of it off, they include ingredients that aren't toxic to ingest but try your best to keep your dog from licking their nose and body until the sunscreen has had a chance to sink in.

Before hitting add to cart, there are a few things to keep in mind when trying to find the perfect sun protection for your pooch:

✔️Ingredients: Unfortunately, you can't share your favorite sunscreen with your dog. Some active ingredients in human sunscreen are toxic to pets, so make sure your dog's protectant is free of zinc oxide, PABA and fragrance. Also, look for something that is waterproof and has a minimum SPF of 15, but 30+ is better. Since most dog sunscreens don't qualify for official SPF ratings, ideally look for something with an equivalent rating. The best active ingredient to consider is titanium dioxide, but ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate will also help protect your pet, just keep them out of the water as those can be toxic to marine life.

✔️Ease of use: If you've got a wriggly puppy that simply will not sit still, you may want to opt for a spray-on or stick sunscreen. Consider different application types depending on you and your pup's needs — and their ability to calmly let you rub in sunscreen. Spray on sunscreens tend to dry faster which means less likelihood of your pet licking them off, but shouldn't be used too close to your pet's mouth or eyes, where stick or balms will be better.

✔️Your dog's personal needs: Does your dog need more sun protection than many other breeds or are you just looking for a little something to apply to their nose while you're out on a walk? Depending on how long your dog spends out in the sun and if they're more susceptible to UV damage, you'll need to consider a different package size, coverage and brand.

For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything a pet parent needs, including dog sunscreen. Amina Lake Abdelrahman was an Editorial Assistant who worked with the Good Housekeeping Institute lab experts to cover everything from kitchen appliances to pet products.

In her role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brings years of journalism experience to the GH Institute, having reviewed products for Good Housekeeping, as well as BuzzFeed, while also previously working in the parenting and pets sphere at People.