Cats and sunburn

Which cats are most vulnerable to sunburn?

All cats can get sunburn. But white or pale-coloured cats, cats that have unpigmented white noses or ears, and those with sparse hair on their ears, are most vulnerable because they have little pigment or hair to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays. Ears and noses are where your cat is most likely to get burnt. 

Signs of sunburn in cats

If your cat does get sunburn, there are a couple of symptoms to look out for, including:

• red, sore skin in the affected area
• blistering and peeling

If you notice this, make an appointment with your vet straight away.

How to prevent sunburn in cats

The easiest way to make sure your cat doesn’t get sunburnt is to keep them inside when the sun is at its strongest (10am to 3pm) and make sure they have access to lots of shade both indoors and out.

Can I put sun cream on my cat?

You can put sunscreen on your cat, but you need to make sure it’s pet-safe first so speak to your vet about the best product to use. Make sure you use SPF30 or higher and that it’s waterproof.

You should apply sun cream to your cat’s nose, tips of the ears, belly and groin areas as well as anywhere that has thin to no fur to help protect them from the sun.

Avoid sun cream with zinc oxide and a group of chemicals that are referred to as salicylates in the ingredients. Both are toxic to cats and can cause them to be very unwell, particularly salicylates.

How is sunburn in cats treated?

Sun exposure usually requires symptomatic treatment, such as pain relief, topical creams and monitoring. However, sunburn can progress to skin cancer, for which surgery is often the most successful treatment, although other options such as radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, cryosurgery or topical creams may be recommended. Remember, prevention is better than cure.