As it happens with us humans, one of the main reasons that explain why dogs like to sunbathe is the contribution of vitamin D. Dogs never cease to surprise us with acts very similar to those we carry out, a fact that leads us to think that in certain situations or circumstances we can feel the same emotions. A clear example of this is the passion we share for feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin, and who doesn't rejoice in the light of a beautiful day?
Regardless of the season of the year in which we find ourselves, you will have noticed that whenever a ray of sun peeks through the window, your dog runs to occupy the illuminated space to spend long hours lying in the sun. Although we also love to lie in the sun or expose ourselves to it to tan our skin, the truth is that they are much more intelligent in this aspect and they do it for compelling reasons that we detail below. Keep reading this article on our site and discover why dogs like to lie in the sun
Benefits of sunbathing for dogs
Yes, dogs sunbathe for all the benefits that sunlight brings them. Do you want to meet them and know a little more about canine behavior? Here are the main benefits of sunbathing for dogs:
1. The Sun, a natural source of vitamin D
Vitamin D is part of the group of fat-soluble vitamins, which are those that dissolve in fats and oils, are stored mainly in the adipose tissues of the body and, therefore, remain retained in the body by more time. In this way, it is not necessary to provide the dog with vitamin D supplements on a daily basis, or foods rich in it, because his body is capable of maintaining it for a period of time. In addition to obtaining it through the means already mentioned, dogs know that the best way to provide their body with the amount of vitamin D it needs is through sunlight, so the main reason that answers the question why dogs love the sun so much is, without a doubt, this.
In the same way that vitamin D is essential for the proper functioning of our body, it is also essential for dogs. In this sense, this fat-soluble vitamin favors the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, so it helps in the correct development of the dog's bones and prevents the appearance of diseases related to the skeletal system, such as osteoporosis. On the other hand, vitamin D plays a fundamental role in the development of the animal's muscles, favoring the nervous system and promoting muscle contractions, a fact that especially benefits large dog breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier. Likewise, this vitamin also benefits the animal's immune system.
In our case, when we sunbathe, the skin directly absorbs vitamin D, however, when it comes to animals, the hair that covers their entire body prevents it from reaching the dermis and, therefore, the oil transformed into vitamin D remains in the dog's fur. So, after a long time lying in the sun, dogs lick their paws and the rest of their bodies to absorb it.
two. Promotes serotonin production
If you thought that the benefits of the sun for dogs were reduced in the absorption of vitamin D you were very wrong, because sunlight also helps to produce a greater amount of serotonin. This chemical produced by the body acts as a neurotransmitter to maintain a stable mood, so we could say that it is one of the most effective natural antidepressants. In this way, when lying in the sun the dog favors the production of this substance, promotes the sensation of happiness transmitted by it and, therefore, improves its state of mindSo we can say that another reason why dogs like the sun so much is because it simply makes them happy.
3. Improves dog's sleep
In addition to all of the above, exposure to sunlight favors the secretion of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating the sleep cycle in animals. In this way, by secreting more of this hormone, the dog manages to increase the quality of the hours of sleep as well as regulate them and rest peacefully.
4. Provides warmth in cold weather
Of course, sunbathing also provides warmth for dogs on colder days. In this way, in addition to exposing yourself to sunlight to obtain vitamin D, feel better emotionally and physically, you do so to combat the low temperatures of winter. Likewise, there are dogs that are more resistant to cold than others, so the most vulnerable, such as Chihuahuas and other short-haired breeds, tend to need to spend more time lying in the sun.
5. Relieves joint pain in elderly dogs
The coat of older dogs is much weaker than that of young dogs, so they are more likely to feel cold and notice increased pain in their joints in case of illness rheumatic. In this sense, sunbathing relieves this sensation and helps them not to feel so much discomfort.
But… is the sun good for dogs?
After reviewing the main benefits of sunbathing for dogs, it is essential to clarify whether it is really good for them or not. Well, although it may seem to us that after knowing the previous data the answer has to be a resounding "yes", the truth is that it is a " yes without exceeding ". In those dogs in a period of growth, excessive sunbathing could cause the absorption of more vitamin D than necessary, which would trigger an excess of calcium that could lead to incorrect formation of the jaw, teeth and alterations in the system nerve, muscle and bone. With this we do not mean that we should not let our puppy lie down in the sun, but that we must be vigilant to prevent him from doing it for many hours a day.
On the other hand, dogs with white hair, short hair or very short hair can suffer burns, heat stroke or sunstroke if they are exposed to the sun for many hours at a time. These dogs do not have a coat as resistant as the rest and, therefore, we must take extreme precautions if we want sunlight to become something beneficial for them, and not the opposite.
Precautions to consider
To prevent the sun from causing damage to our dog, we recommend taking the following guidelines into account:
- Make sure fresh water is always available.
- In very hot weather, cool your dog by moistening his head.
- Currently, the animal products market also offers sunscreens for dogs, if yours is a hairless or very short-haired dog, don't hesitate and get one.
- Prevents the dog from lying in the sun for many hours at a time, or during the hottest hours of the day.
- Don't shave your dog's hair. Dogs have two types of fur that allow them to adapt to changes in temperature. Cutting their hair too short would only make them more vulnerable to UV rays.
- If you have symptoms of heat stroke or sunstroke, remove it immediately from the sun and cool it with cold water cloths. If it does not improve, go to the vet.
Warning signs of heat stroke in dogs
Before delving into the warning signs that may indicate that our dog may suffer from heat stroke, it is essential to differentiate this condition from heatstroke. Heat stroke occurs when your dog's body overheats for a short period of time, and can occur as a result of strenuous exercise, hot weather or excessive exposure to sunlight. For its part, sunstroke is much more serious and usually appears after heat stroke if it is not treated. We must pay special attention to both conditions, since failure to do so could result in the death of the animal.
The main symptoms of heat stroke in dogs are as follows:
- Fast breathing
- Body temperature above 42ºC
- Excess salivation
- Heart rate increased
- Blue skin due to lack of oxygen
- Tongue discolored from loss of hydration
- Wobbling
- Muscle tremors
- Vomiting
If your dog shows any of these symptoms after sunbathing for many hours in a row, act quickly, remove him from the heat and moisten his head and the rest of his body with cold water cloths.
