Just like many dachshunds (or really any dog) I love the feeling of laying in a patch of warm sun. If you own are owned by a dachshund, then you know what I’m talking about.
I’m sure this scene is all too familiar, your dog parks themselves in front of a big patch of sun laying there until they are visibly panting and hot to the touch. As much as I enjoy getting all toasty in the sun, my mom started to worry about what the sun might be doing to my skin. Is skin cancer something us dogs should be worried about, and if so how can we prevent it?
Well instead of just wondering, my mom decided to find out. So she did a little research, and even took a trip to my vet to find out more.
See in the beginning of the summer a new (black) mole popped up on my chest. And seeing as how I have the very common dachshund pattern baldness on my belly, mom worried my exposure to the sun on a daily basis was starting to catch up to me.
So away we went to the vet to find out if in fact dogs can get skin cancer, what we should be looking for, and how we can prevent it.
First, the good news is I didn’t have any moles or bumps that look pre-cancerous (at least not yet), so phew! But, the risk of skin cancer in dogs is just the same as it would be for humans, especially in areas where your dog may not have as much hair and for dogs that have lighter colored fur.
My vet informed me that although I do have the occasional mole, discoloration, or skin growth pop up, that this can also be a sign of aging skin and will happen as the years pass. Documenting your dog’s skin abnormalities can be a great way to make sure there isn’t anything out of the ordinary happening that might require a biopsy or further investigation.
Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer in Dogs:
- Document all of your dog’s moles and abnormal skin growths with pictures and measurements. Update and check them every few months looking for changes or new growth
- Use a pet-safe sunscreen* if your pet will be exposed to the sun for long periods of time
- Familiarize yourself with what abnormal moles might look like on your dog (see below)
- Consider covering windows with a UV protecting film* if your dog sun bathes a lot
- Talk to your vet about any suspicious looking skin growths
*contains affiliate links
We found this helpful chart online (source unknown) that can be useful if any of your dog’s moles might warrant a trip to the vet. The same characteristics in moles can be seen on humans and are also a sign of pre-cancerous areas.
While preventing me from “sunning” probably isn’t going to happen (sorry, I just enjoy my sun naps way too much), mom has been making me wear pet sunscreen when it looks like I’ll be napping for a while. She also plans to add a UV film to the window at the shop where I like to sun myself a lot during the day.
Has your dog had any skin cancer scares? Do you routinely check your pet for moles and skin abnormalities? 
Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, just an owner who cares an awful lot about my pet’s health. Please be sure to consult your own vet if you think your pet may have some abnormal skin issues. This post is not meant to replace veterinarian care, just simply a reference for the information we have learned in our own studies.
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