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If you have a dog, you know they love sitting in the sun and will oftentimes do so. Many dogs stake out a particular spot where they take in the sunshine regularly. The question many dog fans have, though, is why? Do dogs lie in the sun because, like us humans, it feels so wonderful? Or is there something else that goes beyond comfort and warmth?
The good news is that we did some research and have a few possible explanations and insights for you below! If you want to know why your darling dog loves lying in the sun, the five reasons below may shine some light on the subject!
The 5 Possible Reasons Dogs Lie in the Sun
1. Sunshine May Boost Your Dog’s Serotonin Levels
Like humans, a dog’s body makes and uses the hormone serotonin. Serotonin is often referred to as the “feel-good” hormone because it plays an important role in regulating mood and emotional balance in both people and dogs. While sunlight doesn’t directly increase serotonin levels, spending time in the sun can help support healthy circadian rhythms, which are closely linked to serotonin activity. This may help improve your dog’s overall mood and contribute to a sense of calm, comfort, and well-being.
2. Sunlight Regulates Your Dog’s Circadian Rhythm and Sleep-Wake Cycle
Another trait dogs share with humans is that they have what’s known as circadian rhythm. It is the 24-hour cycle that tells your dog’s body when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to get up and start their day (and many other functions also). The circadian rhythm is also known as the body’s “inner clock.”
What’s truly interesting is that light plays a significant role in your dog’s circadian rhythm. The light from the sun directly affects your pet’s sleep-wake cycle, influencing not only when to sleep and when to wake but also how well your dog sleeps. While a lack of sunlight alone isn’t proven to directly cause insomnia, limited exposure to natural light can disrupt normal sleep patterns and may contribute to behavioral or restlessness issues. In this way, spending time in the sun during the day can help support healthier sleep at night.
3. Sunlight Helps Regulate Your Dog’s Melatonin Production
We mentioned above that sunlight keeps your dog’s sleep-wake cycle regular. One of the major players in this cycle is melatonin. Melatonin is produced by both dogs and humans and helps signal when it’s time to rest or sleep. Exposure to natural daylight helps suppress melatonin production during the daytime, which supports alertness and normal daily activity levels. When your dog spends time in the sun, the light helps signal to their body that it’s daytime, encouraging wakefulness and helping maintain a healthy balance between daytime alertness and nighttime sleep. In other words, sunlight helps your dog stay awake during the day (even if they might nap while they sunbathe).
4. Vitamin D Is Essential to Your Dog’s Health
Let’s also look at the common myth about sunlight and vitamin D in dogs. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin, meaning your dog’s body needs it to support important functions related to overall health and well-being. Unlike humans, however, dogs do not efficiently produce vitamin D through sun exposure. Instead, they get most of their vitamin D from their diet, particularly from properly balanced commercial dog food.
That said, sunlight still plays an indirect role in supporting your dog’s overall health and natural biological rhythms. While dogs don’t consciously understand the benefits, spending time in the sun can contribute to general comfort and wellness, which may explain why many dogs instinctively seek it out.
Vitamin D itself plays an important role in your dog’s body, from helping to maintain strong, healthy bones and teeth, to supporting normal muscle and immune function. Adequate vitamin D levels are also associated with overall systemic health, which is why ensuring your dog receives a nutritionally complete diet is essential.
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5. Sunshine Can Help Your Dog Regulate Their Body Temperature
On a cold morning (or any time of day), most people grab a jacket, cuddle under a blanket, or turn up the heat. Dogs can’t do any of these things independently, but can find a sunny spot and warm up that way. If you see your dog searching for sunshine when it’s cold outside, it’s most likely that they’re trying to get warm and comfy. That’s why placing their bed in an optimal location for sunshine is a great idea in winter.
Is Too Much Sunshine Unhealthy for Dogs?
Like humans, too much sunshine can be unhealthy for your dog. One mistake many dog owners make is thinking that a dog’s skin can’t get sunburned because they’re covered in hair or fur. That’s not always true, however. Yes, hair will shield their body somewhat, but many breeds don’t have enough to protect them fully.
Even worse, all dogs have several body parts that aren’t covered in fur, including their bellies, noses, muzzles, armpits, and some parts of their faces. If those parts are exposed to the sun too often or for too many hours at once, they can get sunburned just as easily as you can if exposed to too much sunlight.
Too much of the sun’s UV rays can increase the risk for several serious health issues for your dog, including cancer, from melanoma to blood vessel tumors, called hemangiomas.
How to Protect Your Dog from Getting Sunburned
As we’ve seen, sunshine is important for your dog’s health and well-being, but too much can be problematic. The methods below will help you prevent your canine companion from getting too much sun and reduce their risk of sun-related health issues.
Provide Plenty of Shade for Your Dog
If you have an outside dog or plan to stay outside for several hours, ensure you have a shady spot for your dog. If they aren’t using it, lead them to the shade and tell them to “stay.”
Use Vet-Recommended Sunscreen on Your Pet
Several brands of sunscreen made for dogs and cats do a good job of preventing sunburn. It’s important to avoid sunscreens that contain ingredients toxic or harmful to dogs, such as zinc oxide, salicylates, or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). If your dog licks sunscreen containing these substances, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other health problems. Sunscreens formulated for pets or for children without these harmful ingredients are generally safe to use.
Don’t Let Your Dog Go Outside Between 10 AM and 4 PM
These hours are when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest. It’s better to go before or after to lower your dog’s sunburn risk.
Be Mindful of Heatstroke Risk
Besides the risk of sunburn, be mindful that dogs may experience heatstroke or overheating, which can be fatal, especially if they exercise in the hot weather. Brachycephalic or flat-nose breeds are at particular risk due to their already compromised airway. They should stay in well-ventilated indoor areas during the warmest parts of the day and avoid any walks or exercise during this time.
Final Thoughts
Like humans, dogs enjoy basking in the sun because it provides warmth and comfort. Sunlight can also support their natural rhythms, help regulate sleep-wake cycles, and contribute to overall well-being. While dogs don’t consciously understand hormones or vitamin production, they instinctively seek out sunny spots for these benefits.
As with humans, preventing sunburn and heatstroke is highly recommended when your dog goes outside. We hope the tips and advice we’ve given to prevent sunburn help you keep your furry friend healthy and empower you both to enjoy the sun safely!
See also:
- 10 Best Outdoor Dog Beds – Reviews & Top Picks
- 10 Best Spill-Proof Dog Water Bowls – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Ryan_hoel, Shutterstock
