Does your dog need sunscreen? Which breeds are most susceptible to burns — and how to protect them
While you're flipping franks and catching rays, your furry friend might be getting fried — and too much sun can bring some seriously ruff consequences.
But don't sweat it: The Post fetched expert advice from two veterinarians on how to keep your pooch cool, safe and tail-wagging all summer long — including how to avoid a well-meaning but potentially 'toxic' mistake.
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6 Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells quickly, including in dogs.
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Can dogs get a sunburn?
Yes, so paw-lease be careful out there.
'Dogs can get a sunburn on areas of their body with less hair, such as the bridge of their nose,' said Dr. Lori Bierbrier, senior medical director of community medicine at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) eastern region.
Other areas that are vulnerable to the sun include the ears, belly, tail and eyelids.
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Are certain breeds more at risk?
'Dogs that have minimal to no hair covering their bodies are more predisposed to have sunburns,' said Dr. Timnah Lee, the medical director of Seaport Animal Hospital and Tribeca Soho Animal Hospital.
Think: American hairless terriers, Chinese crested and Xoloitzcuintli.
But it's not just the hairless crew who can suffer from sun damage.
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'Those with short hair, thin coats, light colored fur, or pale skin are also at a greater risk of sunburn — just like people,' Bierbrier said.
6 Some dogs are at higher risk of sunburn due to their thin fur coat.
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That includes Dalmatians, collies, Weimaraners, bulldogs, boxers, pit bulls, whippets and greyhounds.
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Even fluffy breeds like huskies, German shepherds and Golden Retrievers aren't off the hook, since seasonal shedding can leave them more exposed to the sun's rays.
And before you reach for the clippers, think twice. While it might seem like shaving your furry friend would help them cool off, Bierbrier warned that it can actually do more harm than good.
'A dog's coat keeps them from getting too cold in the winter, but also keeps them from overheating in the summer,' she explained.
'Shaving your dog of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort, overheating and other serious dangers like sunburn or skin cancer.'
6 Sun protective clothing can shield your dog from harmful UV rays.
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How do I keep my pup safe in the sun?
'On those more susceptible dogs, I recommend a doggy sunscreen on their bodies and face,' Lee said. 'Remember to reapply like you do for yourself.'
Pet-friendly sunscreens come in a variety of forms. The AKC suggests choosing water-resistant, unscented formulas with an SPF of at least 30.
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'It is extremely important that you use the sunscreen designated for pets only, as human sunscreens can be toxic,' Bierbrier warned.
Certain ingredients in human products — like zinc oxide and para-aminobenzoic acid — can cause vomiting, diarrhea and in severe cases, even zinc toxicity or liver damage if ingested.
'Sun shirts are also available to put on your pet to protect their skin,' Bierbrier noted. 'Also, avoiding the sun at the highest temperature points on the day is advised.'
6 For severe sunburns, experts recommend seeking veterinary care.
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How can you tell if your dog's been burned?
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'Sunburns can be different in each pet depending on their coloring and how often they were exposed to the sun,' Bierbrier said.
'Similar to humans, dogs can get red skin that is tender to the touch. The skin may be inflamed, flakey or blistered,' she added. 'Your pet may also show signs of dehydration.'
Dehydration symptoms in dogs include dry, sticky gums, loss of skin elasticity, heavy panting, sunken eyes, lethargy, decreased appetite and darker or reduced urine output, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
6 Sunburn can be exacerbated by hot weather and dehydration.
mdorottya – stock.adobe.com
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My dog has a sunburn — now what?
If your pooch is pink, don't panic.
'Consult your veterinarian if you believe your pet has a sunburn,' Lee advised.
'We don't always want to put aloe on them like we do for ourselves, as they can lick it off, and sometimes that can create an upset tummy,' she added.
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For more serious burns, Bierbrier said vets may prescribe medicated ointments. But for milder cases, there are easy at-home treatments, like oatmeal baths.
'Keeping your pet well hydrated is extremely important,' she noted. 'Cold compresses can also help relieve the inflamed skin.'
6 Pet sunscreens come in sprays, lotions, balms and wipes.
Pixel-Shot – stock.adobe.com
Can sunburn lead to skin cancer in dogs?
'It can, but since dogs have fur, their skin is overall better protected than humans from the risk of skin cancer,' Bierbrier said.
Still, it's important to stay alert, since skin cancer in dogs is often treatable when caught early.
'Monitor the skin for any new growths, especially if they grow rapidly,' Bierbrier said. 'A veterinarian can test the growth to determine if the growths are cancerous or benign.'
But skin cancer isn't the only reason to be cautious about letting your dog soak up too many rays.
Besides being painful, sunburns damage the skin's protective barrier, making your pup more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections.
It can also worsen other conditions, such as autoimmune disorders and dermatitis, according to the AKC.
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8 Foods You Should Be Eating Every Week If You Have High Blood Pressure, According to Dietitians
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNNearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. We're often told to avoid sodium, yet many foods are naturally rich in blood pressure–lowering nutrients. Potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber and omega-3 fats may help reduce blood blood pressure, or hypertension, affects roughly half of American adults. While many people need medication to control this condition, regularly eating certain foods can also help lower your blood pressure—no prescription required. So, what are these power foods? To find out, we asked dietitians the best blood pressure–lowering foods to add to your weekly rotation. Get out your pen and paper (or smartphone!) because you're going to want to make sure these eight foods are at the top of your shopping list. Bananas are nutrient gold mines when it comes to better blood pressure, says Natalie Rizzo, M.S., RDN. For starters, she says, bananas are a good source of potassium. This mineral helps lower blood pressure by decreasing the stress on blood vessel walls caused by eating too much sodium. Even though most of us consume too much sodium, few of us get enough potassium. That's where bananas come in. One medium banana provides roughly 420 milligrams of potassium, or 9% of the Daily Value. Bananas also provide fiber, which helps lower blood pressure by producing compounds called short-chain fatty acids that help relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. Yet, like potassium, most of us don't consume nearly enough fiber. One medium banana delivers an easy 3 grams of fiber, which is roughly 11% the 28-gram DV. If beets aren't already on your list of heart-healthy foods, they should be! These deep purple veggies contain dietary nitrates, compounds your body converts to a blood pressure–lowering nitric oxide. That's not all. They give you 442 mg of potassium per cup (9% of the DV). So, toss some in your next salad. Or, if you want even more blood pressure–lowering power, pour a glass of beet juice. Research has shown it can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure, the blood pressure reading most closely related to heart disease risk. Soy foods like edamame are powerful players when it comes to lowering blood pressure. The proof is so strong that one systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 studies found that eating soy foods can significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. If you're wondering what makes edamame so effective, the answer may lie in their nutrient density. One cup of shelled edamame packs an impressive 8 grams of fiber. That's more than a quarter of your daily requirement. It also contains 14% of the DV for potassium, plus other blood pressure–lowering minerals like magnesium and calcium. 'Regular consumption of pistachios has been shown in several studies to help reduce blood pressure,' says Kelly Jones, M.S., RD, CSSD. One reason is their fiber. 'Per 1-ounce serving, pistachios provide 3 grams of fiber, a nutrient emphasized by the DASH diet,' says Jones., If you haven't heard of the DASH diet before, it's a blood pressure–lowering eating pattern backed by decades of research. In addition to fiber, pistachios also contain a potent blood pressure–lowering cocktail of potassium, magnesium, calcium, antioxidants and plant protein. 'Although potatoes get a bad reputation, they are full of nutrition and are a good source of potassium,' says Rizzo. 'Since potassium works with sodium to regulate blood pressure, increasing potassium intake is another strategy to help improve blood pressure,' adds Jones. One medium potato delivers 952 mg of potassium. That's 20% of your daily requirement and more than double the amount you'd get from a medium banana. Pulses like beans, lentils and dried peas are an integral part of the DASH diet. Like many other foods on this list, they're rich in potassium and plant protein. But don't just munch on them for their blood pressure benefits. Research has also shown that pulses may lower cholesterol and inflammation and protect against heart attack and cardiovascular disease. You may have heard that omega-3-rich fatty fish like salmon are fantastic foods for heart health. One reason is their favorable impact on blood pressure. Research has found that the long-chain omega-3 fats docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) help relax the muscles of the blood vessel walls. This process, known as vasodilation, allows blood to move easily throughout the body, ultimately reducing blood pressure. Yogurt isn't just great for your gut health. One study found that people with hypertension who frequently consumed yogurt had lower systolic blood pressure. This study didn't find that yogurt had the same impact on people with normal blood pressure. 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At the 10-minute mark, the competitive speed eater had ingested 36 hot dogs; researchers asked him to stop because they were worried for him. "His stomach now appeared as a massively distended, food-filled sac occupying most of the upper abdomen, with little or no gastric peristalsis and emptying of a small amount of barium into the duodenum," the researchers wrote. At the end, they said his abdomen protruded "enough to create the distinct impression of a developing intrauterine pregnancy." Dr. David Metz, who was one of the authors of the study and has worked as a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, said speed eaters have the ability to relax their stomachs so they can ingest more food. The average, empty stomach is about the size of a fist or a fist and a half, he said. It's made of two parts: a receptacle on top and a grinder, of sorts, on the bottom. 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"Some athletes have reported arthritis in the jaw, excruciating pain in that area," Petitpain said. It's not just the large quantity of food that's a problem. It's also the type of food. Hot dogs are high in sodium. According to the nutritional information on Nathan's website, one of its Original Coney Island natural casing beef hot dogs contains 170 calories, 16 grams of fat (including 6 grams of saturated fat), and 480 milligrams of sodium. Other varieties are higher. The USDA's 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day. It would take fewer than five hot dogs to go over the daily limit. "If they're absorbing too much sodium, their thirst mechanism is going to kick in and they're going to drink a lot of water afterwards," Jain said. "My concern is, if your stomach is so full of food, how are you going to get the other compensatory liquids in?" High-sodium diets are associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, which is a major cause of both stroke and heart disease. Ingesting excessive sodium can impact kidney function. The spike in sodium can also cause blood pressure to soar, putting pressure on blood vessels in the body, Petitpain said. "If there's a weak spot in those blood vessels that gets stressed, that could cause a heart attack," Petitpain said. "Or if there is a bursting of the vessels in the brain, a stroke." The high level of fat ingested could cause nausea, diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress, Petitpain said. During the annual contest, the competitors also eat the buns, which means a lot of carbs. "This large load of protein, of carbohydrates, of starches, all these things, they're now going to be dumped into the small intestine. And while this is going on, your body has to crank up its insulin," Jain said. But all told, if the competitive eater goes back to a normal diet once a contest is over, their body should regulate back to normal. "Your body is a very adaptive organism," Metz said. "The kidneys flush out the excess sodium and other micronutrients." There are still dangers, though. Beyond the immediate stomach pains competitors might feel, there are much worse possibilities. Competitors who vomit risk aspirating or tearing the lining of their esophagus, Metz said. People have died during eating competitions. In 2017, a 20-year-old college student died after choking during a pancake-eating contest. That same year, a 42-year-old man asphyxiated during a donut-eating contest. "There's a lot of danger involved and many of us have been very concerned about this," Metz said. Major League Eating, the organization that oversees professional competitions, does have safety teams on hand at events, and says it "strongly opposes and discourages home training of any kind." 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8 Foods You Should Be Eating Every Week If You Have High Blood Pressure, According to Dietitians
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNNearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. We're often told to avoid sodium, yet many foods are naturally rich in blood pressure–lowering nutrients. Potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber and omega-3 fats may help reduce blood blood pressure, or hypertension, affects roughly half of American adults. While many people need medication to control this condition, regularly eating certain foods can also help lower your blood pressure—no prescription required. So, what are these power foods? To find out, we asked dietitians the best blood pressure–lowering foods to add to your weekly rotation. Get out your pen and paper (or smartphone!) because you're going to want to make sure these eight foods are at the top of your shopping list. Bananas are nutrient gold mines when it comes to better blood pressure, says Natalie Rizzo, M.S., RDN. For starters, she says, bananas are a good source of potassium. This mineral helps lower blood pressure by decreasing the stress on blood vessel walls caused by eating too much sodium. Even though most of us consume too much sodium, few of us get enough potassium. That's where bananas come in. One medium banana provides roughly 420 milligrams of potassium, or 9% of the Daily Value. Bananas also provide fiber, which helps lower blood pressure by producing compounds called short-chain fatty acids that help relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. Yet, like potassium, most of us don't consume nearly enough fiber. One medium banana delivers an easy 3 grams of fiber, which is roughly 11% the 28-gram DV. If beets aren't already on your list of heart-healthy foods, they should be! These deep purple veggies contain dietary nitrates, compounds your body converts to a blood pressure–lowering nitric oxide. That's not all. They give you 442 mg of potassium per cup (9% of the DV). So, toss some in your next salad. Or, if you want even more blood pressure–lowering power, pour a glass of beet juice. Research has shown it can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure, the blood pressure reading most closely related to heart disease risk. Soy foods like edamame are powerful players when it comes to lowering blood pressure. The proof is so strong that one systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 studies found that eating soy foods can significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. If you're wondering what makes edamame so effective, the answer may lie in their nutrient density. One cup of shelled edamame packs an impressive 8 grams of fiber. That's more than a quarter of your daily requirement. It also contains 14% of the DV for potassium, plus other blood pressure–lowering minerals like magnesium and calcium. 'Regular consumption of pistachios has been shown in several studies to help reduce blood pressure,' says Kelly Jones, M.S., RD, CSSD. One reason is their fiber. 'Per 1-ounce serving, pistachios provide 3 grams of fiber, a nutrient emphasized by the DASH diet,' says Jones., If you haven't heard of the DASH diet before, it's a blood pressure–lowering eating pattern backed by decades of research. In addition to fiber, pistachios also contain a potent blood pressure–lowering cocktail of potassium, magnesium, calcium, antioxidants and plant protein. 'Although potatoes get a bad reputation, they are full of nutrition and are a good source of potassium,' says Rizzo. 'Since potassium works with sodium to regulate blood pressure, increasing potassium intake is another strategy to help improve blood pressure,' adds Jones. One medium potato delivers 952 mg of potassium. That's 20% of your daily requirement and more than double the amount you'd get from a medium banana. Pulses like beans, lentils and dried peas are an integral part of the DASH diet. Like many other foods on this list, they're rich in potassium and plant protein. But don't just munch on them for their blood pressure benefits. Research has also shown that pulses may lower cholesterol and inflammation and protect against heart attack and cardiovascular disease. You may have heard that omega-3-rich fatty fish like salmon are fantastic foods for heart health. One reason is their favorable impact on blood pressure. Research has found that the long-chain omega-3 fats docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) help relax the muscles of the blood vessel walls. This process, known as vasodilation, allows blood to move easily throughout the body, ultimately reducing blood pressure. Yogurt isn't just great for your gut health. One study found that people with hypertension who frequently consumed yogurt had lower systolic blood pressure. This study didn't find that yogurt had the same impact on people with normal blood pressure. However, another study found that people with healthy blood pressure who regularly ate yogurt were less likely to develop hypertension. While more research is needed, yogurt boasts a long list of health benefits, including lower cholesterol levels and better heart and digestive health. So, tossing a few containers into your shopping cart can do all kinds of good things for your body. Calcium. Calcium is a key mineral for healthy blood pressure. It is believed to work by helping blood vessels relax and favorably impacting hormones that regulate blood pressure. In addition to yogurt, you can get calcium from dairy milk, fortified plant milks, cheese, sardines and salmon with bones. Fiber. Research shows that the more soluble fiber people eat, the lower their blood pressure tends to be. You'll find soluble fiber in oats, barley, beans and legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Magnesium. This tiny but mighty mineral plays a role in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in your body. So, it should come as no surprise that it's instrumental for healthy blood pressure. Magnesium-rich foods include pumpkin and chia seeds, almonds, cashews, peanuts, spinach, edamame and soy milk. Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids. DHA and EPA are found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies. They promote heart health by regulating blood pressure and reducing inflammation. If you're not a fish eater, speak to your health care provider to find out if a supplement is right for you. Potassium. We often hear that people with high blood pressure should limit sodium, says Jones. And they should! However, the opposite is true when it comes to potassium, which works to offset some of sodium's blood pressure–raising action. You'll find it in every food on this list! Whether you have high blood pressure or simply want to prevent it, there's a long list of foods that can keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. These include bananas, beets, edamame, pistachios, potatoes, pulses, salmon and yogurt. These tasty, nutrient-packed foods are rich in blood pressure–regulating nutrients like potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, they're convenient and accessible. No wonder dietitians are such big fans! So, when you make your next grocery run, toss any (or all!) of them in your cart. Because better blood pressure is as much about what you do eat as what you don't. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
