Ragdoll Cats | Care, Feeding, & Grooming Tips

I recently saw a very sore nose on a white cat. The cat, whose name is Johnny Cash, loves the sun. Unfortunately, white cats have very little pigment and are prone to sunburns and skin cancer. And sunburn is common in pale and short-haired dogs, usually on the bridge of the nose, the abdomen, groin, and insides of the legs.

Your pet’s belly is prone to sunburn because of sunlight that reflects up from the sidewalk, or if your pet spends a lot of time at the beach, she can get sunburn from sun reflecting up from the hot sand.

Sunburn and excessive, repeated exposure to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, in particular squamous cell carcinoma. This is the same in dogs and cats as it is in humans. Therefore, breeds such as boxers and Weimaraners - breeds that are predisposed to cancer - need extra protection from the sun.

Sunburn also can cause ulceration of the skin, and this can leave the skin susceptible to opportunistic bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Sun exposure can also worsen autoimmune skin diseases (in which the immune system actually attacks skin cells), such as pemphigus and lupus.

So what is a pet owner to do?

To protect your pets from sunburn and the related consequences, apply sunblock on the small susceptible areas of skin, such as along the bridge of the nose, and on the ear tips. It’s a good idea to also apply a line of sunblock along any part in your pet’s fur, along the head or back. For your cat, sunblock is usually sufficient. However, for dogs, sunblock is usually not effective on the abdomen. Sunblock on the abdomen can rub off in tall grass, wash off at the beach (in the water or rolling on the sand), or be easily licked off by the dog or her playmates.

There are spandex-type bodysuits on the market designed to block UV radiation. I highly recommend these for dogs who spend a lot of time outside, especially dogs who visit the beach. Although the idea of bringing a bodysuit-clad dog to the park or beach may sound ridiculous or embarrassing, it may be the most effective and important sun protection you can provide for your pet. Doggie bodysuits are common at some beaches, and they don’t look ridiculous if all the other dogs are wearing one

You can easily find sunscreen made for pets at quality pet supply stores, or you can simply apply zinc oxide or PABA-free sunscreen to your pet. Just be very careful not to get the sunblock in your pet’s eyes. And now that you’re prepared, enjoy the dog (and cat) days of summer!

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