Please help with school project: Dog sunscreen

[Zeander]

Hi everyone.
For my college Intro to Business class we have to do a marketing project. I want to develop a sunscreen for dogs. Some dogs have very little or no hair and need protection from the sun's rays. There are dogs that have thin hair and would also benefit from sunscreen.
My product will not be greasy, discolor the dog's coat, or sting his eyes. The product will also have a pleasent scent.
I need your help in testing my concept. So what to you all think? Would you maybe buy a product like that?
I really appreciate the help!

[LuvMyPiggers]

If I had a dog like a chinese crested or I shaved my dog too short, definatley! Dogs skin is harmed just like humans so I would buy it.

[twofinepigs]

I'd be wary of putting anything on my dog's skin, so I'd want to see a marketing campaign that used veterinary information about safety, and a recommendation from my vet to get the stuff. So if I wanted to sell it, I'd take that avenue. I probably wouldn't buy something like that from a grocery store aisle because I'd be afraid it wouldn't be safe for my pet.

I've never had a dog that got sunburned, or skin cancer, but I've never had a hairless or even a really light-skin/coat dog.

[Zeander]

We have a white Bull Terrier and she gets sunburn on her muzzle and tummy. My mom uses people sunscreen on her but admits that she would rather use something specifically for dogs.

[LuvMyPiggers]

Maybe it would sell better if it was a prescription from vets?

[Marlania]

My neighbor has a border collie that's mostly white, and he gets sunburned. He lives indoors, but she has to watch when takes him places outside because he does burn pretty easily.

Personally, I don't have a need for dog sunscreen, but I can see where others would need it. In that case, I would want it made specifically for dogs, and I'd prefer to buy it through a reputible pet supply place or businesses that sells high quality items like Innova dog food and the like.

[Wildjem]

I once heard-could be true or not-that people down under who have dogs with pink noses have the noses tattoed to prevent the dogs getting skin cancer. Mabe some of our Aussie friends could verify this but as a person who has had melanoma I would definitely by this type of product if I had a dog that was susceptible to burning.

[kat_0521]

I'm not sure about dogs, but I'll tell you what we do with horses when there's a risk of sunburn. If they have a white blaze or really pink nose and mouth, we use zinc oxide cream. If there's sunburn, (evidenced by bumps, blisters, itchiness or sensitivity) we use a mixture of an anitbiotic ointment, with either balmex or desitin. You know, the stuff for diaper rash.
Hope this helped you out. Good luck with your project!

[daftscotslass]

I'm not sure there would be a market for it. Those dogs and horses that need it could really just use human sunscreen. My friend uses kiddies high factor sunscreen for her horse's pink nose and lips. I can imagine that animal sunscreen would be hugely expensive, too.

[Zeander]

You can use human sunscreen, but wouldn't you rather use something specificaly made for your pet's sensitive skin? And it won't (at least that's my theory) be too expensive. I would price it competitivly with human sunscreen.
Anyways, I turned it in today. Thanks for your help everyone!