Why do Beagles like to sunbathe so much? Top tips for keeping your Beagle safe in the sun!
I’m fairly sure my Beagle Cocoa’s favorite thing in the whole world is sunbathing. When the sun is out, she’s constantly demanding to be let outside to her favorite sun patches, so much so, that I have to carefully limit the time she’s allowed outside so she doesn’t overheat or fry her brain.
Perhaps you’ve noticed the same thing with your Beagle. Beagles are notorious sun-worshippers, and spend hours soaking up the rays whenever they can. The warmth of the sun can help boost your Beagle's well-being by easing aches and pains and stimulating the production of mood-enhancing serotonin. Let's take a deeper look into why Beagles love the sun so much, and discover how to let your Beagle sunbathe safely!
My Beagle Cocoa loves to sunbathe, and will find any patch of sunlight she can to bask in. This was at an AirBnB in North Carolina.
1) Why do Beagles like to sunbathe so much?
All dogs enjoy lying in the warmth of the sun, and Beagles in particular will seek out any available sunny spot in the house, yard, or garden. But why is this, and what do Beagles get out of spending time in the sun?
If you were to look at the history of the Beagle breed, their love of sunshine remains a bit of a mystery. Beagles were first bred in the 11th century in the British Isles - not a location known for its abundance of sunshine! Beagle ancestors are thought to mainly consist of other north European hound breeds, none of which come from warm sun-drenched countries.
As a Brit who lived 75% of my life under the gloomy skies of the UK, I can tell you that when the sun does come out, you get very excited. You change your plans and do basically anything to be able to spend some time in the sunshine. (This is also why so many Brits turn to lobsters the moment the sun comes out.) The same may be true for our Beagle hounds: because it’s a resource in such short supply in the land of their ancestors, they choose to make the most of it when it does appear.
But even if this casual pseudo-scientific anecdote doesn't explain why Beagles will seek out sunny spots, it turns out there are some essential health benefits for Beagles to lying in the sun.
a) Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps your Beagle absorb enough calcium to grow and maintain strong and healthy bones. Many foods contain vitamin D, but dogs can also top up levels of this vital vitamin by spending time basking in the sun.
Like humans, Beagles can synthesize vitamin D through sunlight, albeit in a slightly different way. When we lay in the sun, ultraviolet rays interact with a protein in the skin called 7-DHC, converting it to active vitamin D.
In dogs, this process is slightly different. Instead of the skin producing vitamin D, it is formed when oily secretions on the skin and coat are turned into vitamin D during exposure to sunlight. This is then ingested and metabolized when your Beagle licks their coat, helping to boost vitamin D levels.
So, next time your Beagle spends time soaking up some rays, think of all the health-boosting vitamin D they are synthesizing!
Cocoa takes the business of topping up her Vitamin D and Serotonin levels very seriously
b) Serotonin
Sunshine is a proven mood booster, and your Beagle likely gets a relaxed, happy feeling from lying out in the sun! Have you ever seen your precious long-eared pooch lie out in their favorite sunny spot and let out a huge contented sigh? Well, that's quite possibly the serotonin kicking in!
Serotonin is a chemical produced by nerve cells in response to various stimulants, one of which is sunlight. When the sun's rays enter the eyes and hit the retina, a series of reactions are triggered which cause the brain to release serotonin. The effect of increased serotonin levels is a wonderful feeling of well-being and relaxation - the same effect we get from eating chocolate!
As well as being a potent mood-enhancer, serotonin also plays a positive role in many other body systems. It aids in maintaining a healthy digestive system and strong bones and also helps your Beagle sleep like a baby.
2) Is it healthy for Beagles to sunbathe?
If your Beagle is obsessed with finding the sunniest spots to lounge around in, you might start to wonder if this is a healthy habit to have. Well, as well as boosting serotonin levels and ensuring your precious pooch gets enough vitamin D, there may be some other benefits to being a sun-worshipping dog.
Some studies have shown that sunlight can kill bacteria or slow down the rate at which they reproduce. It is not known if this effect can reduce the risk of bacterial health conditions, but it surely can't do any harm!
Cocoa sunbaking. We have to limit her time in the sun as I’m sure she would fry her brain if we didn’t.
The warming effect of the sun can also increase blood flow to potentially painful areas of the body, which is particularly beneficial for older dogs that suffer from joint pain and arthritis. In addition, the natural warming effect of the sun can help prevent your Beagle from losing precious body heat, and so helps reduce the amount of energy needed to keep warm.
But it's not all good news - there is such a thing as too much of a good thing! On hotter days, Beagles are particularly prone to heatstroke and dehydration, particularly if they sunbathe in direct sun for too long.
Beagles can also get sunburned if exposed to direct sunlight for too long. Sunburn is not only painful for your dog but also increases the risk of skin cancer later in life.
3) How to keep your Beagle safe in the sun
As much as our beautiful Beagles look utterly relaxed in the sunshine, it is important to make sure they are kept safe and well-hydrated. By following these steps, your Beagle will get all the benefits of the sun, whilst reducing the risk of associated health problems:
Keep your Beagle indoors or in a shaded area when the sun is strongest - normally between 11 am and 3 pm.
Apply pet-safe sunblock to vulnerable areas of skin, particularly pale areas of skin on the face.
Make sure your Beagle has access to clean cool water at all times. It is advisable to use two or more water bowls during the hot summer months.
Only walk your Beagle in the morning or late evening, never during the hottest part of the day. In a heatwave, it may be necessary to skip the daily walk altogether and spend time chilling out together instead.
Watch for sun-exposed paved areas in your yard - concrete slabs can get so hot that they may burn your Beagle's paw pads! Grassy areas under shady trees tend to be much cooler and safer for your Beagle to lounge around in.
It is great to see that our Beagles get so many health benefits from their sun-worshipping habits. By making sure that your Beagle stays safe in the sun, you'll both get to enjoy some summertime fun together!
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