The skin is the largest organ of a cat and fulfills many important functions. If your cat gets sunburned, the skin's microbiome is disturbed, which can lead to other processes in the body, such as the immune system, getting out of balance. In the worst case, squamous cell carcinomas, a form of skin cancer in cats, can develop. Therefore, always make sure that your cat is well protected from the sun.
Sunburn Symptoms
Sunburn in cats can be classified into three degrees:
- 1st Degree:Slight redness of the skin.
- 2nd Degree: Red and sore skin. Hair loss may occur on the ear margins, which are sometimes swollen and painful.
- 3rd Degree: The skin is severely burned and there is no hair in this area. The skin may appear whitish. If the nerves are also damaged, it is not painful.
In addition, there are also conditions such as solar dermatitis and squamous cell carcinomas. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to chronic skin damage, which can be recognized by thickening and scaling of the skin around the ears. This causes itching, which can lead to your cat scratching and shaking its head. Excessive scratching can create small wounds, making the skin susceptible to infection.
In severe cases, chronic damage can lead to squamous cell carcinomas. These are malignant tumors that look like crusty wounds that repeatedly open and do not heal. Especially in cats with white ears, we see redness, irritation, and hair loss.
Sunburn Care
Always consult your veterinarian if your cat has suffered a sunburn. For 2nd or 3rd-degree burns, your veterinarian can administer medication to care for the skin and protect against infection. In severe burns, an infusion is sometimes given. If you suspect your cat has squamous cell carcinomas, this needs to be examined and tested.
For redness and irritation caused by sunburn, the skin can be well cared for with Doderm Hydro RepairGel. To support your cat's itchy and irritated skin, you can apply our Doderm Hydro RepairGel twice a day. This gel is specially developed for cat skin and supports skin with a weakened skin barrier. What is special about our skin gel is that it contains filtered antibodies from colostrum (first milk) from cows, which naturally supports skin irritation during recovery. The Hydro RepairGel is 100% natural and contains no antibiotics or corticosteroids.
Oils can accelerate sunburn on the skin. Therefore, always make sure to apply sunscreen over a skincare product.
Protect Your Cat from Sunburn
To protect your cat from sunburn, you can do a number of things:
- Keep your cat indoors on days and times when the sun is strongest. The sun is strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM. Please note that even on cloudy days, UV radiation can be strong and burns can occur.
- Does your cat like to sunbathe in the window? Your cat can also get burned. Lower the sun blinds or apply UV-resistant film to the windows.
- Moisten your cat's ears and nose with appropriate sunscreen. This is especially important for cats with white ears and noses. These breeds do not have sufficient pigments and protective hairs to protect themselves from the sun. Preferably apply several times a day.
Suitable Sunscreens for Cats
Cats are known for grooming themselves well. After grooming, they also lick their paws again. Therefore, it is important that the use of sunscreen is safe for your cat. Most human products are not suitable for animals. For example, avoid products containing octyl salicylate, homosalate, para-aminobenzoic acid, or zinc oxide, as these can be toxic to cats. Perfume is also a culprit in cats and can cause itching.
Doderm Hydro RepairGel
Our Doderm Hydro RepairGel is particularly suitable for caring for mild skin burns. Its main ingredient is antibodies from colostrum (first milk) from cows. This restores the skin's resistance and rebalances the pH levels in the skin.
In addition to antibodies from colostrum, Doderm Hydro RepairGel contains exclusively natural plant oils. These fats are easily broken down by the skin's own enzymes and can therefore actually be absorbed into the skin. This allows the skin to regenerate and better protect itself from external influences.
Finally, Doderm Hydro RepairGel contains plant extracts and vitamins that support the skin's self-regeneration, and ceramides ensure that skin cells stick together. This keeps the skin hydrated and keeps bad bacteria at bay.
Prevention is always preferable, so make sure your cat is well protected from sunburn. Keep your cat out of the sun or protect it with good sunscreen.
Would you like to learn more about how Doderm Hydro RepairGel works exactly? Read all about it on our "How it works" page!
We hope you have learned more about sunburn in cats by reading this blog. If you still have questions after reading this blog, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to advise you!
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