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Solar radiation is necessary for life on Earth. Environmental pollution is contributing to global climate change, in ways such as degrading the atmospheric ozone layer, vital to controlling the type and amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the surface. Domestic animals are constantly directly exposed to solar radiation and can consequently develop skin lesions, optical tumors and thermal stress, or even die. UV light produces oxidative stress of the skin due to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cells, causing cell aging or cancer. Antioxidants neutralize these harmful agents, but their activity decreases with organism age and metabolic state. A review was done of the histology and physiology of the skin, and the effects of UV radiation on domestic animals using bibliographic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Science) as well as journals available on the Internet. Understanding the effects of UV radiation on the health of domestic animals is vital since it can have substantial financial impacts on producers, compromise animal welfare and the quality and safety of animalorigin products.