You’re ready to send your furry friend out into the great outdoors, but, being the responsible pet guardian you are, don’t want her to get sunburnt. What are your options?

Sunscreen, of course, but if you’re looking for natural or alternative methods to prevent sunburn, keep these in mind.

– Go natural. Include foods such as tomato (lycopene), red bell pepper (lycopene and carotenoids) orange vegetables and fruits (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin), seaweed and marine algae (carotenoids and mycosporine amino acids), krill (astaxanthin super-carotenoid and omega 3), pure green tea (polyphenols) and berries (flavanoids and polyphenols) in her diet to protect her from sunburn. Ask us about the best ways to incorporate these into your pet’s diet if you want to try this route.

– Special sun gear. Worried that your pet will be too squirmy or react badly to sunscreen? The pet clothing industry has recently expanded into offering solar-protective gear. From pet goggles to shirts and visors with a UPF rating of 50, there are several companies that offer clothing and products that can help protect your pet so she can continue her sun ‘shipping days.

– Protective covering. For those pets you just can’t keep housebound, consider installing an umbrella or protective covering over an exercise pen or crate that will filter out the sun’s harmful rays.

The best prevention is to avoid the sun; the hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are the worst for UV rays. With a little forethought and planning, you can keep everyone in your family happy and protected from sunburn.