Some humans mark the beginning of summer on the solstice but for the sun worshippers of Cape Town, summer is in full swing. Stretch out on the deck, gazing at the sun and living their best lives, the cats of the Mother City love sunshine and clear skies as much as the stoned citizens of Cape Town. If you are one of them, you will know that there’s no sun like a Cape sun! Summer brings heat and strong UV rays, making sunscreen for cats an essential item.
While most Capetonians are aware of how to protect themselves from the adverse effects of heat and sunlight, the sun worshippers of the city and other regions of sunny South Africa are not. Many humans are unaware of how the sun and its harmful rays can impact their four-legged friends, but fear not! Below you will find a bunch of handy tips and tricks to keep your cats projected during summer-summer-summertime…..
Why do cats lie in the sun?
It’s distinctive to cats; they like fooling the sun as they nap their way through another day. Cats are natural-born sun seekers. Cats run hotter than humans and at a sizzling 102°. Puzzling? Not when you look at it from the proper perspective. Puzzle together the cat’s origins in the desert of the Middle East, the high metabolism of felines, and their particular style of hunting, and the picture becomes as clear as the sky on a mid-summer day in Cape Town.
When you see your furry companion basking in the sun, it’s actually using the warmth to help make up for the slight drop in body temperature that happens when cats fall asleep.
Another interesting fact is that cats have fewer heat receptors than we do. Humans feel pain when their skin temperature reaches around 45°C, whereas cats may not show pain until the temperature of their skin reaches 52°C. This means that cats risk staying in contact with hot surfaces longer than they should, increasing the chances of burning themselves. So as a caring owner, make sure they don’t get too close to heaters and stovetops and keep a watchful eye out for any sunburn on their nose and tips of ears from long periods of exposure to the sun.
Should you use sunscreen on your cat?
Any cat can be at risk of sunburn, however, cats with white, thin or no hair are particularly at risk and can suffer from severe sunburn due to the nature of their skin. As with humans, repeated sun exposure and episodes of sunburn can lead to sore and damaged skin, which in turn can lead to skin cancer.
Applying sunscreen to vulnerable areas of your cats will offer protection and will help prevent serious sun damage.
Vet-approved Sunscreen for cats
Can you slather on any old sunscreen for your cat? ”Certainly not!”, says the preferred Cat Doctor of the cats of Cape Town. “It’s important to use sunscreen that has been created specifically for companion animals, as human sunscreens contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.” When making a selection of the product for your cat’s protection, our cat Doctor suggests these guidelines:
- Only ever use sunscreen that is specifically for pets. Cats, in particular, can be more sensitive to products so it is the safest option to use one which states it can be used on cats. Check the product labelling to ensure it states that it is appropriate and safe for cats.
- When applying sunscreen to your cat, focus on your cat’s nose, tips of the ears, belly and groin areas as well as anywhere that has thin to no fur.
- It can help to apply the sunscreen and then distract your cat with a treat or play to allow the product to be absorbed without being groomed away.
- If you would prefer not to put anything on your cat at all, then restricting its access to the outdoors during the hottest part of the day when UV-rays are at their highest may be advisable. This is particularly advisable for white-haired cats and should be most especially considered in very hot climates.
To make things easy for you this summer, here is a vet-approved cat sunscreen to “pawtect” your feline during the summer.
Dermoscent SunFREE SP30+ Sunscreen for cats
With its special blend of natural mineral sun-reflecting pigments, SunFREE SPF30+ prevents sunburn from harmful UVA & UVB rays. SunFREE SPF30+ also helps prevent skin diseases that are induced by sun exposure such as actinic dermatitis, epidermoid carcinomas, and photosensitization.
SunFREE SPF30+ is the 1st high protection hydrating sun care with mineral sunscreens for animals. It’s made to protect both cats and dogs. The SunFREE SPF30+ high protection index has been confirmed by the Nantes Veterinary School.
