| Dogs developing skin cancer is a major concern just | | | | Below are 4 suggestions to minimize the risk of your |
| as it is for humans developing cancer. About 1 in | | | | dog getting skin cancer: |
| every 200 dogs (or approximately 0.5% of dogs) will | | | | 1) Sunscreen - If your dog is outside for long periods, |
| develop some form of tumor or skin cancer per year. | | | | apply sunscreen to areas such as your dogs belly, |
| Read on below for some advice on how to check | | | | nose and underarms, or wherever the skin is light or |
| your dog for skin cancer and how to minimize your | | | | there is little hair. |
| dog's chances of developing it. | | | | 2) Pick The Right Dog - If you live in a hot climate, |
| Common skin cancer in dogs is the result of DNA | | | | pick a dog with dark pigmented skin and a medium |
| damage caused by excessive exposure to UV rays | | | | to long coat. |
| (sunlight). Animals with light pigment, bare patches of | | | | 3) Remove The Dog From Sun - If you are out at |
| skin and certain breeds like bull terriers are more at | | | | work all day, you should consider leaving your dog |
| risk to skin cancer than other dogs. | | | | indoors and out of the UV rays. You should also try |
| So how do you check your dog for skin cancer? First | | | | to not walk your dog in the middle of the day when |
| you should familiarize yourself with your dogs skin. | | | | the sun is at it's strongest. |
| Look and feel around the skin for any areas where | | | | 4) Dog Clothes - Fitting dog clothes can offer some |
| the appearance has changed or where you can feel | | | | UV protection, but these clothes often either simply |
| lumps that were not there before. You should also | | | | fall off after a few hours or get used as a toy by |
| monitor your dogs behavior as if they appear tired, | | | | the dog. |
| lethargic or are not eating it could be a sign of | | | | If you follow these tips as well as regularly examine |
| cancer. If you are at all concerned, always take your | | | | your dogs skin, you will reduce the chances of your |
| dog to the vet for a checkup. | | | | dog getting cancer. |