A BONE TO PICK

As you slather on sunscreen while frolicking outdoors this June, don't forget your pup. Here are five sun facts relating to Fido that you should know about:

Get the lowdown on sun protection for Fido.

1. Dogs with light-hued fur are more susceptible to sun damage

Dark coats block harmful UV rays, but lighter coats don’t. Hence, they are more exposed to the sun’s UV rays, which may cause skin cancer.

2. Don’t shave long-coated dogs during hot months

Shaving your pup’s coat down to his skin removes a protective barrier and increases his odds of sunburn.

3. Zinc oxide is toxic

Human sunscreen contains zinc oxide, which is toxic to pets. If ingested, it can cause their red blood cells to burst. This results in anaemia that may be severe enough to require blood transfusions.

4. Apply sunscreen to exposed areas

Apply a pet-safe sunscreen like Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray to areas with less hair, like the belly, legs, groin, muzzle and ears.

5. Sunscreen is not enough

Keep your pupper cool and protected from UV rays with a sun-protective shirt like the PlayaPup dog rashguard shirt. The soft, quick-dry fabric shields him from up to 97.5 percent of harmful UV rays.