Humans aren’t the only ones who need to be protected from sun damage in the hot months of summer. Dogs can get sunburned, too.

To protect pets, local stores offer a variety of unique protective gear such as UV protection goggles, life-jackets, and even sunscreen.

“I got the goggles because when we spend time outside [Papi] seems to be squinting,” said Andrew Bruchey, an Ellicot City resident, of his 2-year-old Lab Mix.

“He’s a big fan of trying to get his head out the window when we’re in the car and I was concerned about him getting things in his eyes. When I first got them for him he wasn’t crazy about them, but he got used to them and now when I pick them up he knows that it’s time for not just a walk, but a car ride,” said Bruchey.

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Summer also brings concerns for owners who take their pets along for outdoor activities such as hiking or beach-going. The Yuppy Puppy Pet Boutique as well as the Baltimore pet store dogma — life, with your pet, carry doggy preservers, called “Float Coats.”

“People are taking their dogs to the beach or the lake, or on boats, so they want them to be safe,” said Virginia Byrnes, co-owner of dogma.

“We’re selling a ton of high-end life-preservers,” said Holly Hoenes, owner of Yuppy Puppy Pet Boutique in Ellicot City. “There’s either the Louis Vuitton pattern, or blue or pink polka dots.

You can pick the pet up by its back, and there are reflective strips on the jacket.”

The summer’s UV rays, heat, and humidity, also have some pet-owners worried about leaving their pets outside for too long.

“Dogs that have really short and light coats are very susceptible to sunburn,” said Byrnes, whose store carries pet sunscreen.

“We go on really long hikes sometimes,” said Jennifer Perry, who owns a portable water bowl for her Yorkie “Bingo.” “We bring [Bingo’s] water bottle along so we don’t have to share ours.”

ekrupp@baltimoreexaminer.com