Can cats get sunburn?

Just like us, cats can get sunburn when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. These rays damage the surface of their skin.

If your cat spends too long basking in the sun, especially during summer, they may start to overheat, but they’re also at risk of sunburn.

Because cats have a thin epidermis – the outermost layer of skin – they can be very sensitive to the effects of too much sun. While all cats can get sunburn, certain cat breeds and colours are at a higher risk.

Most cat breeds have fur to protect their body from sunburn, but hairless breeds – such as Sphynx cats – are at a much higher risk of getting sunburned, especially if they have pale-coloured skin.

Cat breeds with white, cream, or light-coloured hair are more likely to suffer from sunburn. This includes breeds such as the British Shorthair, Siamese, Ragdoll, Persian, and Ragamuffin.

The risk of sunburn is higher in white cats because their skin has less melanin, the pigment that helps protect skin from sun damage. If cats of any breed have white hair on their ears and face, these areas are more likely to get sunburned and could become cancerous.

Sunburn typically affects areas of your cat’s body where they have less hair. For most cats, this includes the edges of their ears, nose and around their eyes. Some cats also have thinner hair on their stomachs, so this area can also get sunburned if your cat likes to sleep in the sun on their back.

For hairless cats or breeds with thin hair, such as the Devon Rex, sunburn can happen anywhere on their bodies.

The most common signs of sunburn in cats include:

• Red or inflamed skin
• Crusty scabs
• Swelling
  

If you think your cat is sunburned, it’s best to speak to your vet for advice. If you’ve got cat insurance with Petplan, you can use our Pet Expert Chat feature to speak with an expert at any time of day. Log in to your My Petplan account and go to the MySupport area to access.

Depending on the severity of the sunburn, your vet might advise treatment including:

• Topical creams
• Antibiotics
• Pain relief

Over time, repeated sun exposure can lead to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer. Treatment for SCC usually involves surgery or radiotherapy. The best way to reduce the risk of your cat developing SCC is to keep them protected from the sun.

If your cat is prone to sunburn, it’s important to protect them as much as possible.

• Keep them indoors during the hottest part of the day: The risk of sunburn is usually greatest from 10am to 3pm, so consider keeping your cat inside at this time.
• Always have fresh water available: During hot weather, it’s easy for your cat to become dehydrated. Leave a few water bowls in different locations and make them some tasty summer snacks to keep hydration levels up.
• Use a pet-safe sunscreen: Apply sunscreen to your cat’s ears, nose, and anywhere else where their hair is thinner. Reapply when necessary. Never use sunscreen designed for humans, as this can contain ingredients that are toxic to cats.
• Offer plenty of shade: When your cat is outside, make sure they’ve got some shady places to rest. If your garden doesn’t have much natural shade, consider placing some cardboard boxes outside for your cat to nap in or creating a shaded spot for them.

Your cat’s ears are one of the most likely areas to get burned, as well as their nose and face. If your cat has white ears, the risk of them getting sunburn is even higher.

Even indoor cats are at risk of sunburn. Most glass windows do filter out some harmful UV rays, but not all of them. While the damage may take longer, it’s worth protecting your indoor cat if they like spending a lot of time on a sunny windowsill. Use pet-safe sunscreen, or close the curtains during the hottest part of the day.