A male horse is called a stallion, while a

Dogs can be vulnerable to sunburn

Human beings are accustomed to taking certain measures to protect themselves when spending time in the sun. Applying and reapplying sunscreen, avoiding the outdoors during certain times of the day and drinking plenty of water while outside are just a few of the ways people can safely soak up summer sun. But what about dogs? Should dog owners be equally protective of their four-legged friends before letting them run around in the backyard or fraternize with fellow canines at the nearest dog park?

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs can get sunburned just like their human counterparts. In addition, the AKC notes that sunburn can make dogs more vulnerable to certain types of skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanomas and hemangiomas. Sunburn also can exacerbate preexisting conditions like autoimmune disorders and dermatitis.

Some dogs may be especially vulnerable

While no dog is immune to sunburn, some are more vulnerable than others. The AKC notes that hairless breeds like the American Hairless Terrier need sun protection whenever they will be outside for extended periods of time. In addition, dogs with white or thin coats and those with light-pigmented noses and eyelids also are especially vulnerable to sunburn. The AKC also says that dogs with thick coats of hair are not immune to sunburn, as many such dogs shed their coats during especially warm weather, thereby making them more vulnerable to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Dog owners can speak with their veterinarians to determine how vul

nerable their dogs are to sunburn. What dog owners can do

Dogs can benefi t from sunscreen just like their owners. However, dog owners must only apply dog-specifi c sunscreens to their furry friends. The AKC advises dog owners to avoid applying sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid, or PABA, to their dogs, as these can be toxic when ingested. Ingestion is likely as dogs typically try to lick their skin after sunscreen has been applied, so dog owners must take this warning very seriously.

Large breed dogs take longer to mature physically into their adult size, which is a boon to anyone who loves the puppy years.

As they grow, dogs may experience clumsy movements and struggle to adjust to their bodies as quickly as they would like. It’s comparable to the awkward teenage years that humans go through. Large breeds may not

The AKC also recommends using waterproof sunscreens with a minimum sun protection factor, or SPF, of 30. Don’t just go all in

Before applying sunscreen to a dog’s entire body, pick an area of its body to apply a small amount. Then wait a little while to see if the sunscreen causes an allergic reaction. If it does, wash the product off with water and do not allow the dog to spend ample time outdoors until you fi nd a product that works and does not cause an allergic reaction.

If the dog is not allergic, apply the sunscreen about 20 minutes before going outside, keeping a watchful eye on your pooch to be sure he or she does not lick it off. Apply the product anywhere pigment is light, and also make sure to get vulnerable areas like the bridge of the nose, ear tips and the skin around the lips, groin and inner thighs. Reapply after the dog goes swimming, and also every four to six hours whether the dog has gone swimming or not.

Dogs are vulnerable to sunburn just like humans. Dog owners must protect their furry friends whenever spending time outdoors.

Did you know?

understand how big they are. As a result, they may try to sit on your lap or fi t on a dog bed they have outgrown.

Large breed adolescent dogs also may step on your feet and/or fail to understand their own strength as they jump up to offer kisses.

Over time, large pups will reach physical and emotional maturity and have a better sense of self.

15 facts about horses

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but horses have been companion and assistance animals for millenia. In fact, archaeological evidence indicates that humans formed intermingled relationships with horses nearly 5,500 years ago.

Horses provided people with much of the essentials they required for group survival. Khan Academy indicates that the domestication of the horse ushered in an era of innovation in transport and communication. Horses also were invaluable animals on the farm or in early villages.

Horses still serve many practical functions, but they’re more often than not companion animals or relied on for riding hobbies and sport. Horses are majestic and fascinating animals, and these 15 interesting facts show just how incredible these beautiful animals are. 1. Horses can sleep both lying down and standing up. 2. Horses have the largest eyes of any mammal that lives on land. 3. People once believed horses were colorblind. In fact, horses can see colors, but are better at detecting yellows and greens than purples and violets. 4. A horse’s body contains 205 bones. 5. Because a horse’s eyes are on the side of its head, it is capable of seeing nearly 360 degrees at one time. 6. The fastest sprinting speed ever recorded for a horse is 55 miles per hour, though they generally trot at around four miles per hour. 7. Horses evolved from a very small animal about the size of a dog or baby lamb that was called a hyracotherium. This ancestor lived in tropical rain forests in North America and ate leaves. 8. Hooves are made from the same protein that comprises human fi ngernails and hair. 9. The Przewalski’s horse is the only truly wild horse species still in existence. The last remaining wild population is in Mongolia. 10. A male horse is called a stallion, while a young male horse is a colt. A female horse is a mare, while a young female is a fi lly. 11. Ponies are not immature horses. They are a small variety of horse. 12. Estimates suggest there are around 60 million horses in the world. 13. Early civilizations used horses as a form of food. But in 732 A.D., Pope Gregory III said the ritual consumption of horse meat was a pagan practice and had to be abolished. Islamic and Jewish communities also advocated toward avoiding horse meat. Today there is no specifi c law in the U.S. banning horse meat, but most people still steer clear of it. 14. An adult horse’s brain weighs 22 ounces, or about half the weight of a human brain. 15. Horses like sweet fl avors, which is why you can tempt them with sweet treats like apples and sugar cubes.

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