Health

The question on everyone’s mind! do cats get sunburnt?

December 23, 2015
white cat

UV rays from our harsh Aussie sun don’t discriminate. Whilst skin pigmentation and thick hair do afford sun protection by providing a physical barrier to UV rays for some cats. It’s the cats that don’t have thick hair that we need to be more mindful about. Fair skinned and cats with white coats are more prone to sunburn. Particularly, around their nose and ear tips, but also other areas of exposed skin.

Recommendations for these cats are:

  1. keep your cat indoors during the day when the sun is at its strongest, say between 10am and 4pm. Or keep your cat indoors everyday if that is an option
  2. when they are outdoors ensure that there is adequate shade, if not, consider installing a shade cloth
  3. for those kitty’s that like sun bathe by the window, consider a sun blocking film for the windows
  4. wear clothing such as a t-shirt. A little over the top, but if your cats allows this it will protect the delicate non haired skin on their belly when they are bathing
  5. apply sunscreen, a high SPF option that’s approved for cats. You apply to the ear tips and the top of the head or nose.