Summer has long been the time to enjoy the warm weather and soak up the sun…particularly if you live in the southern states of Australia!
Pet parents know all too well that cats love this past-time too!
A lesser known fact, however, is that although they have a thick coat of fur, cats are prone to sunburn!
Breeds who can particularly suffer in the sun are those with white fur or/and with thin coats, such as Sphinxes, Cornish Rexes and Devon Rexes. These guys will definitely need extra attention for sun protection. Keep an eye on your kitty and know the signs to watch out for.
Here, we take a look at the varying stages and degrees of sunburn your pussycat can suffer.
How to tell if your cat is suffering from sunburn:
Mild redness on skin
Depending on how they spend their time outside, whether they are lying, or roaming around the garden, you may notice mild redness on their exposed skin such as around the eyes and ears. These easy-to-spot areas tend to indicate that there may be redness on the other parts of the skin, hidden by fur. Keep an eye out for these signs, as it indicates they have developed a minor sunburn. To prevent it from getting any worse , use sunscreen on your cat’s exposed skin. Cat specific sun screen can be purchased from most pet stores.
Redness/swelling on skin, hair loss on the ears
If you see hair loss on the ears or signs of redness/swelling in the area – consult your vet. These signs can indicate that it may be developing into something more serious. If your cat loves to be outdoors all day long, create an area for them to nap in the shade, rather than being in the sun all day.
All skin is affected, severe hair loss
We hope your kitty would never get to this stage. Burns have now extended to other parts of the skin, indicating that your kitty has been outside for too long. The severe hair loss shows that the radiation of the sun is too much. This is serious sunburn and if you haven’t already consulted your vet, we’d highly recommend to go to the animal hospital.
Potential skin cancer from cat sunburn
If you’re taking care of your cat regularly, they should never get to this stage. Your cat may not look in pain, this is serious and you need to go to a vet hospital immediately. Signs and symptoms of skin cancer in cats can be:
- Thick skin around the ears
- Scaling (especially around the ears)
- Itchiness, causing bleeding
- Crusting of the skin
Can’t stop your cat from sunbaking?
Cats are notorious for lounging in the warm sun for hours at a time. If your cat is unlikely to stop this habit, there is something that you can do to help provide a level of protection. Sunscreen for cats!
Help protect them by investing in sunscreen for cats
Found at most pet stores across Australia, cat sunscreen works just like it would for humans – by forming a protective barrier on the skin that reflects or absorbs harmful UV rays, preventing them from penetrating and causing damage.
It’s important to use only sunscreens specifically formulated for pets, as cats are prone to licking their skin and some human sunscreen ingredients can be toxic. Applying a small amount to high-risk areas before outdoor time, combined with access to shaded spots, keeps your cat safe and comfortable while enjoying sunny days.
