Why Do Dachshunds Love Sunbathing

If there’s a patch of sunshine anywhere in our house, there’s a very good chance Rocky will find it.

It doesn’t even need to be particularly large. We’ve watched him squeeze himself into increasingly ridiculous positions just to make sure as much of his body as possible is in the sun.

And he’s definitely not the only one. Dachshunds seem to have a particular talent for finding the warmest spot in the house.

So why do dachshunds love sunbathing so much?

The simplest answer is probably the right one: it feels good and dachshunds like being warm.

 

Dachshunds are small dogs with relatively short legs, which means their bodies sit very close to the ground.

They also seem to have an almost universal appreciation for warmth – whether that’s sunshine, a blanket, your lap or the best spot next to a radiator.

Rocky is a smooth-haired dachshund, so he doesn’t have a particularly substantial coat keeping him warm either.

Given the choice between lying somewhere ordinary and lying somewhere warm, he’ll choose warm every time.

 

Why does my dachshund follow the sun around the house?

Because the warm spot moves.

We’ve watched Rocky relocate himself throughout the day as the sunlight moves across the room.

A patch of sunshine warms both your dog’s coat and the surface they’re lying on, essentially creating a naturally heated bed.

And once the sun disappears, Rocky usually abandons that spot in favour of another source of warmth.

It’s not unusual to find him completely buried underneath a blanket five minutes later.

 

Do dachshunds get vitamin D from sunlight?

Not in the same way humans do.

You’ll sometimes see sunbathing in dogs explained as a way of producing vitamin D, but dogs rely on vitamin D from their diet rather than making significant amounts in their skin through exposure to sunlight.

So your dachshund isn’t lying in the sun because they instinctively need to top up their vitamin D.

They’re much more likely to be there because it’s warm, comfortable and relaxing.

 

Is sunbathing good for dachshunds?

There’s nothing wrong with allowing your dachshund to enjoy lying in the sunshine, provided they can move somewhere cooler whenever they want to.

Rocky regularly sunbathes indoors and will happily spend time lying outside when the weather is good.

The important thing is making sure sunbathing doesn’t turn into overheating.

Dogs aren’t as efficient at cooling themselves as humans. They mainly regulate their temperature through panting, so they can become too hot surprisingly quickly in warm conditions.

 

Can dachshunds get too hot in the sun?

Yes.

Dachshunds may adore warmth, but that doesn’t mean they’re always sensible about knowing when they’ve had enough.

On hot days, make sure your dog has:

• Easy access to shade
• Fresh drinking water
• Somewhere cooler they can move to
• The option to come indoors

Avoid encouraging them to stay in direct sunshine when temperatures are high.

Cars, conservatories and other enclosed spaces can become dangerously hot particularly quickly, even when the weather outside doesn’t initially feel extreme.

How can you tell if your dachshund is too hot?

Panting after exercise or when it’s warm can be normal, but excessive panting alongside other changes can indicate that a dog is struggling with the heat.

Warning signs can include heavy or persistent panting, excessive drooling, weakness, confusion, vomiting or collapse.

Heatstroke is an emergency.

If you’re concerned your dachshund may be overheating, move them away from the heat, begin cooling them and contact a vet immediately for advice.

 

Can dachshunds get sunburn?

Yes, dogs can get sunburn.

Areas with thin or sparse fur are particularly vulnerable, as are dogs with light-coloured skin and coats.

If Rocky is outside in very strong sunshine, we’d rather give him access to shade and limit prolonged exposure than assume his coat completely protects him.

If your dachshund has particularly exposed skin, ask your vet about appropriate sun protection. Don’t automatically use human sunscreen because some ingredients used in products intended for people may not be suitable for dogs.

Should I stop my dachshund sunbathing?

Usually, no.

If your dachshund is comfortably snoozing in a sunny patch indoors and is free to move somewhere else, there’s little reason to disturb them.

We certainly don’t stop Rocky. Sunbathing appears to be one of his favourite hobbies.

We’re simply more cautious outside during hot weather, where prolonged direct sunshine can become a problem much more quickly.

So why do dachshunds love the sun?

As far as Rocky is concerned, I think the answer is pretty straightforward.

Dachshunds love being warm, and lying in the sunshine is essentially the canine equivalent of finding the best heated seat in the house.

It isn’t about producing vitamin D and it doesn’t need a particularly complicated explanation.

It’s warm. It’s comfortable. And if there’s a blanket available at the same time, even better.

Rocky will take both.