In today's issue:

-Meet our dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

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Spoil your pet this summer

Your pet gives you their whole heart, now give them the summer of a lifetime! The Nibbles Credit Card* makes it easier than ever to give them the best.
Earn 3x rewards on everything they need: pet stores for extra treats, pet services for boarding and grooming, and even vet visits. Plus, the Nibbles card comes with pet insurance included! Combine this all with no annual fee, and it’s the ultimate way to pamper and protect your pet.

Spoil your pet today!

Do Our Dogs Actually Need Sunscreen?

When the weather warms up, there is nothing quite like grabbing a leash and heading outside with your favorite four-legged companion. We pack the water bottles, grab the portable bowls, and slather ourselves in SPF. But as you look down at your dog happily panting by the door, a completely logical question might pop up: Do they need some sun protection, too?

The short answer is yes, absolutely. While it is easy to assume that a coat of fur acts as a built-in umbrella, our dogs are surprisingly vulnerable to the sun's harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The Hidden Vulnerabilities Under the Fur

It turns out that fur is not a perfect shield. Just like us, dogs can suffer from painful sunburns, skin damage, and even skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma.

While a thick coat protects a Newfoundland or a Golden Retriever's back, every dog has a few "hot spots" where the skin is bare and exposed.

When you are assessing your pup's sun risk, keep an eye on these naturally vulnerable areas:

• The bridge of the nose and muzzle
• The tips of the ears
• The belly and groin area (especially for dogs who love to flip over and sunbathe upside down)

Who is Most at Risk?

While any dog can get sunburned under the right conditions, certain pups need extra vigilance. If your dog falls into one of these categories, sunscreen should definitely be on your summer checklist:

• White or light-colored coats: Dogs with white fur typically have pale pink skin beneath, which lacks the protective melanin found in darker skin.
• Hairless or short-coated breeds: Pups like Chinese Cresteds, Xoloitzcuintlis, Whippets, and Dalmatians have far less physical protection from UV rays.
• The belly-up sunbathers: If your dog loves to sleep on their back in a sunny patch of grass or on the deck, their thinly haired belly is a prime target for UV exposure.

The Golden Rule: Never Use Human Sunscreen

If you decide to protect your pup, there is one critical rule to remember: never share your personal sunscreen with your dog.

Many human sunscreens contain ingredients that are highly toxic to canines if swallowed—and let’s face it, most dogs will immediately try to lick off whatever lotion you apply.

Warning: Avoid human sunscreens containing zinc oxide or salicylates. If ingested, zinc oxide can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to severe anemia, while salicylates can cause severe gastrointestinal issues.

Instead, invest in a specially formulated, FDA-compliant dog-safe sunscreen. These products are non-toxic, fragrance-free, and designed to stay effective even if your pup decides to sneak a quick lick. They come in convenient lotions, wipes, or sprays that make application a breeze.

Real-World Sun Safety Tips for the Trail

Keeping your pup safe in the summer sun doesn't have to be a chore. A few simple habits will keep them happy, healthy, and burn-free:

Test a tiny patch first: Prerequisite step.

Before coating your dog's nose or ears, apply a tiny dab of dog-safe sunscreen to a small area to ensure they don't have an allergic reaction or skin sensitivity.

Apply to the key target zones: 15 minutes before exposure.

Gently rub the sunscreen onto the bridge of the nose, ear tips, and any pink patches on the belly. Try to distract them with a treat or a toy for a few minutes so the lotion has time to absorb.

Seek out the shade: During peak hours.

The sun is strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. On particularly bright days, plan your long walks for the early morning or evening, and look for shaded trails.

Reapply after a swim: Maintenance step.

If your dog loves splashing in the lake or playing in the sprinklers, remember that water washes away their protection. Reapply the sunscreen just as you would for yourself.

By taking just a couple of minutes to protect their skin, you can ensure that your summer adventures stay filled with nothing but wagging tails, cool shade, and wonderful memories.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Steve's Real Food - Freeze Dried Chicken Recipe Cat and Dog Food: Possible Low Thiamine Levels (B1)
• Raaw Energy - Dog Food: Potential Listeria Contamination
• Albright's Raw Pet Food - Chicken Recipe for Dogs: Potential Salmonella
  Exposure

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We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.

*Nibbles is not a bank. The Nibbles Card is issued by Lead Bank. Other fees and T&Cs apply. Rewards & pet insurance offered by Nibbles, not Lead Bank. Base pet insurance policy paid for one eligible pet by Nibbles. See nibbles.com for details. Nibbles does not operate in CT, NY, KY, MN, WA, CO, HI, MA, or ME.