The 6 Best Dog Sunscreens to Protect Your Pup This Summer

To identify the best pet sunscreens, experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute consulted veterinarians about what to look for in a pet-safe formula, including ingredients to seek out and ingredients to avoid. We reviewed ingredient lists, available research, and product information to evaluate each option for safety and suitability for pets.

Our recommendations are based on expert guidance, ingredient analysis, and products that are widely recommended by veterinarians and highly rated by pet owners. When reviewing products, we considered factors such as ingredient safety, ease of application, scent, texture, and overall user experience.

There are a few things to keep in mind when trying to find the appropriate 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 and PABA. Also, look for something waterproof with a minimum SPF of 15; 30+ is better. Since most dog sunscreens don't qualify for official SPF ratings, look for something with an equivalent rating. The best active ingredient to consider is titanium dioxide. Still, ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate will help protect your pet—just keep them out of the water, as they can be toxic to marine life.

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

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 sunburned.

Dogs' ears, abdomens, and noses are most affected by the sun and need protection from prolonged exposure. "You don’t have to apply [sunscreen] to areas with hair because they’re usually well protected," says Dr. Cain.

Since their paws are usually facing down and often have thick, darker skin, you can probably skip sunscreening that area as well. However, you can apply a paw wax like Musher's Secret to protect paws from hot sidewalks or beaches, which can burn their paw pads and lead to damaged and cracked skin. Talk to your dog's vet if you have any concerns regarding sun protection.

No matter which form of sun protection you choose for your dog, the best way to prevent sun damage is to simply limit the time your dog spends out in the sun. “Reduce the amount of time that your pet is outdoors, particularly within those high times of UV light exposure which is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” says Dr. Cain.

Exposed skin, including a dog's nose, ears, and abdomen, is the most vulnerable to the sun, no matter the breed. Hairless dogs and those with light, thin coats need a bit more protection, while some pooches with more fur don't need overall coverage.

"Just like some people are more sensitive to the sun than others, every dog is different," says Dr. Rosenberg. "The dogs that are most susceptible [to sunburn] are dogs with white hair and non-pigmented skin that like to sunbathe on their backs."

Applying sun protection to your pooch is not that different from applying sunscreen on yourself.

Patch test before applying all over to make sure your pet doesn't have any negative reactions. If all goes well, make sure to rub the sunscreen in thoroughly and reapply often if your pet is lazing in the sun for long periods.

Just like humans, you should reapply every few hours, after swimming, or if your dog licks the area before the sunscreen has a chance 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.

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 brought years of journalism experience to the GH Institute, having reviewed products for Good Housekeeping and BuzzFeed, and previously worked in the parenting and pets sphere at People.