Keep your dog in shades, vets tell sporty outdoor types
DOGS who run on the beach and join their owners in sports such as paddleboarding should wear sunglasses to prevent eye problems, vets have said.
Very active canines which spend a lot of time in the sun are at risk of suffering pain caused by ultraviolet (UV) light, they warn, advising owners to use dog goggles or visors to protect their vision.
Eastcott Veterinary Hospital in Swindon, Wiltshire, told the BBC protection is also particularly helpful for older animals with age-related conditions.
Alison Thomas, the head vet at Blue Cross, added: “Sunglasses are not essential summer wear and shouldn’t be used as fashion. However, sunglasses and particularly those which exclude UV can be helpful for some dogs.
“If you wish to use sunglasses for your pet’s health then all dogs need time to get used to wearing them by using positive reward based training.”
Dog owner Miluse Vojtiskova says sunglasses helped poodle, Celine, 14, cope with iris atrophy, which makes her eyes struggle to filter brightness.
“She can walk outside now and she can do anything she did before,” Ms Vojtiskova told the BBC.
Ida Gilbert, head of ophthalmology at Eastcott Referrals, said Celine’s sunglasses have saved the dog from having to undergo any surgery on its eyes.
Wearing them is “absolutely appropriate” for animals in various settings, and could even lead to the medication a dog needs being reduced, she said.
The charity PDSA said the signs that a dog has problems with its eyes or vision include redness or swelling, weeping or discharge, and a lump in or around the eye.