In the summer, pets' skin suffers more than many people imagine. The heat, high humidity, increased bathing, and greater sun exposure create a perfect environment for irritations, allergies, and the proliferation of fungi and bacteria. In dogs and cats with sensitive skin, these factors can worsen existing dermatological conditions or trigger new problems.
Therefore, discussing dermatology in the summer also involves proper management, skin protection, and conscious choices—including the use of protective clothing. When correctly indicated and used, it can be a great ally in controlling lesions, sun protection, and skin recovery, without compromising the animal's comfort.
For this reason, we invited Veterinarian Jueli Berger Becchi, a PUCPR graduate with a specialization in veterinary dermatology from Equalis Curitiba, to guide us on all these issues.
Follow along and share with your friends and family.
By Jueli Berger Becchi
At this time of year, which brings joy and fun to families, we cannot forget that heat, humidity, and increased sun exposure make the skin of dogs and cats more vulnerable to allergies, infections, parasites, and even skin cancer due to sun exposure.
As a veterinary dermatologist, it is essential to warn pet owners about the risks that summer poses to skin health, without preventing them from enjoying it with their family, because they also deserve to have fun and enjoy the summer.
At the slightest sign of mild or intense itching, redness, localized or generalized hair loss causing bald spots, a different odor on the skin or ears, wounds, mild or intense flaking, it is necessary to seek dermatological help for an early and correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment to avoid worsening skin lesions.
During the summer, various factors can compromise the skin of healthy animals and even more so in pets that already have a predisposition and are undergoing treatment for a skin disease.
Among these factors, high temperatures and humidity favor the proliferation of fungi and bacteria, increasing cases of skin infections and dermatitis. Intense sun exposure without sunscreen, especially in animals with light fur and areas with little hair like ears, belly, and snout, can suffer from burns and even skin cancer.
In summer, another important factor is the increase in parasites; fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes proliferate in greater numbers and are villains in allergic dermatitis, and also transmit other diseases like Ehrlichiosis in the case of ticks and Dirofilariasis in the case of mosquitoes.
And last but not least, the increase in environmental allergens like dust, pollen, and grasses, which are villains all year round, but intensify in summer and worsen the crisis in patients with Atopic Dermatitis.
A little more about humidity
Humidity aids in the proliferation of fungi and bacteria on pets' skin. Therefore, it's very important to remember that skin humidity can occur after sea and pool baths, exposure to rain without the proper care of drying or removing residues from sea and pool water with bathing and coat hydration.
To reduce risks, pet owners should dry their pets thoroughly, especially those with long coats, and always brush to avoid tangles that prevent proper drying and retain moisture. Keeping the home environment ventilated and aired, and avoiding walks and playtime during the hottest hours, also helps maintain healthy skin.
Considering the areas most affected and susceptible to dermatological problems in the summer, skin folds such as the muzzle of brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, and Shih-tzus), and face folds, accumulate dirt and moisture and favor fungal dermatitis. The muzzle is also an area of greater exposure and, without sun protection, is exposed to burns.
Ears, especially in breeds with pendulous ears, such as Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, among others, have limited ventilation and can favor otitis.
Armpits and groins also deserve attention, as these flexion areas promote greater friction and are more prone to irritations and contact dermatitis. The abdomen and paws (pads) also need care, as they can suffer from burns when in contact with very hot ground.
Protection
In summer, we can use sun protection clothing to our advantage, similar to post-surgical clothing, with UV protection and a comfortable fit that doesn't pinch or cause friction, such as those developed by Pet Med.
These clothes are our allies for pets with light fur, or with genetic alopecia (hair loss), or even in dogs with healing skin lesions, because in addition to sun protection, they prevent excessive licking which hinders healing.
One clothing option we have today, which features Dry Fit technology, is breathable, quick-drying, with antimicrobial technology, hypoallergenic, and with UV 50+ technology, and has a comfortable fit, is the Ultra Light Color Clothing from Pet Med, a company that already provided us with safety and assistance in post-operative care, and now offers technology that also assists in the dermatological area.
However, we must remember that not all clothing is indicated, and if used improperly for long periods without medical advice, it will worsen the dermatological condition by retaining heat and moisture, causing greater skin irritation.
Daily care
In summer, we already understand that the skin requires extra attention, especially for pets with dermatitis, sensitivity, and allergies. So, I have prepared a list with daily care tips for all pets:
· Adequate hygiene: keep the skin clean, avoid excessive baths and shampoos that have not been dermatologically indicated, whether therapeutic or part of a cosmetic routine.
· Complete skin drying: avoid using hair dryers at intense temperatures, especially in folds, ears, and paws - areas with a greater predisposition to moisture.
· Brushing: brush the coat with an appropriate brush and frequency to remove dead hairs, improving skin ventilation, and it is also a practice that helps to check for possible lesions, nodules, or parasites early on.
· Skin hydration: dry or exposed skin benefits from the use of specific moisturizing lotions and serums.
· Sun protection: for all animals, doubling the protection for those with light fur, no fur, and areas like the muzzle, ears, and belly. The recommendation is to use sunscreen specifically for pets, which is already available for sale in pet shops or through veterinary compounding pharmacies in stick formats, where we can use differentiated formulas for more specific prevention.
· Parasite control: use flea and tick preventatives.
· For pets with dermatological issues, the best approach is to strictly follow the instructions of the veterinary dermatologist and seek assistance at the first sign of worsening.
Finally, summer can be a challenging season for the dermatological health of dogs and cats, but with simple and consistent care - and by following the guidance of your trusted veterinary dermatologist - it is possible to enjoy it without scares.
It is also worth remembering that, in addition to skin care, it is necessary to monitor water intake, always provide fresh water, and avoid walks during peak sun hours (between 10 AM and 4 PM).
