More than half of UK pet owners are leaving their animals unprotected from the sun, despite warnings from vets.
According to a survey commissioned by pet brand Webbox, 51% of pet owners admit to never using sun protection on their animals, with a further third (33%) saying they only do so sometimes.
This is in spite of warnings from vets about the dangers of skin cancer and irritation from prolonged sun exposure, the brand says.
Pet owners aged 25-34 are the most likely to be protecting their pets, as over a quarter (28%) say they always ensure their pet is wearing sun protection. However, it is those aged 65 and over who are falling short, with three quarters (75%) saying they never put sun cream on them.
Commenting on the findings Camille Ashforth, senior brand manager at Webbox, said: “With temperatures in the UK continuing to rise year on year, it is shocking that half of pet owners in the UK are not protecting their pets from the sun, especially when the impact of sun damage can be extremely unpleasant for your pets and lead to life-threatening conditions.
“We hope by sharing this research, owners will ensure that during the summer months, when applying sun cream to the family, they do not forget to protect their beloved pets as well.”
