Hairless Care and Keeping Guide:
For Happy Hairless Dogs
The “Hairless Care and Keeping” guide seeks to help hairless dog owners learn how to take better care of their special-breed dog. We recommend related products that are helpful for the issues we write about for your convenience. All products are sold through Amazon.com. We don’t sell anything on this website.
Sun Protection for Hairless Dogs
In hairy dogs, the skin is protected from sun exposure by a coat, but with hairless, skin is completely exposed and therefore prone to sun-related issues. It’s not just sunburn that can affect your hairless wonder, as sun exposure causes skin inflammation, infections, and even skin cancer. As in humans, the lighter the skin, the more prone to sun damage..
Sunburn
Sunburn is the most common sun-related problem that hairless dog owners need to be aware of. In some climates, even a short time in the sun causes burning. My hairless dogs absolutely love laying in the sun and taking a nap, but of course they don’t understand that they will get burned. They will even find a sunny spot near a window indoors and lay in the sunlight filtering in, if they get the chance. It makes sense that hairless dogs enjoy sunshine, after all they are frequently cold. The sun gives them a chance to feel warm and like us, being warn and comfy leads to being drowsy. People who fall asleep in the sun get sunburn and so do dogs. Most owners can’t always watch their dog to prevent them from finding a sunny spot to nap, so the solution is to keep the dog prepared for UV exposure daily. Wearing protective clothing is usually sufficient while your dog is indoors, but when outdoors a sunscreen is needed.
Other sun-related skin issues
Too much sun leads to burns and inflammation on exposed hairless skin. Your dog will rub and scratch uncomfortable skin and break it open with dirty toenails. Infections may result. Take all skin breaks seriously, keeping the wound clean and protected. Use an antibacterial wipe designed to be safe for dogs on open wounds and keep the wound covered. Your dog will lick any wound he/she can reach and this makes wounds worse. If your dog won’t stop licking, a “cone of shame” may need to be worn so they cannot reach the wound.
Dogs sometimes develop squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer, and it is more likely to occur in hairless dogs. The more UV rays skin is exposed to, the more likely skin cancer becomes. In hairless dogs, skin checks by a veterinarian are needed on a routine basis. If you notice any skin abnormality of any kind on your dog, take him/her to the vet for a check. Early treatment is needed for favorable outcomes.
Takeaway: Minimize sun exposure for hairless dogs. Protect your dog’s skin with sunblock and protective clothing.
Next up: Clothing for Hairless Dogs (coming soon)
Related Articles: The Skinny on Hairless Dog Skin Types, Moisturizing for Hairless Dogs
