The skin is the cat's largest organ 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, becoming unbalanced. In the worst case, squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer in cats, can develop. Therefore, make sure that your cat is well protected from the sun.

sunburn symptoms

Sunburn in cats can be divided into three degrees:

• 1st degree: Slight redness of the skin.
• Grade 2: Red and sore skin. Hair loss may occur around the edges of the ears, which is sometimes swollen and painful.
• 3rd degree: The skin is severely burned and there is no hair in the area. The skin may appear whitish. Although the nerves are damaged, it is not painful.

In addition, there are also conditions such as solar dermatitis and squamous cell carcinoma. Prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to chronic skin damage, which can be seen as thickening and scaling of the skin around the ears. This causes itching, which can lead to your cat scratching and shaking his head. Excessive scratching can cause small wounds that make the skin vulnerable to infection.

In severe cases, chronic damage can lead to squamous cell carcinoma. These are malignant tumors that look like scabbed wounds that keep opening and fail to heal. We see redness, irritation and hair loss, especially in cats with white ears.

sun protection care

Always consult your veterinarian if your cat has suffered sunburn. For 2nd or 3rd degree burns, your veterinarian may administer medication to nourish the skin and protect it from infection. For severe burns, an IV fluid is sometimes given. If you think your cat has squamous cell carcinoma, this will need to be investigated and tested.

In case of 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 rub it twice a day with our Doderm Hydro RepairGel. This gel has been specially developed for cat skin and supports skin with a weakened skin barrier. The special thing about our skin gel is that it contains filtered antibodies from the colostrum (colostrum) of cows, which naturally support skin irritation during recovery. The Hydro RepairGel is 100% natural and contains no antibiotics or corticosteroids.

Oils can accelerate sunburn on the skin, so always make sure you apply sunscreen over a skin care product.

Protect your cat from sunburn

To protect your cat from sunburn, there are a number of things you can do:

• Keep your cat indoors on days and times when the sun is strongest. The sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm. Please note that even on cloudy days, UV rays can be strong and burns can occur.
• Does your cat like to make love in the window? Your cat can also burn. Lower the sun blinds or stick UV-resistant film on the windows.
• Moisten your cat's ears and nose with a suitable sunscreen. This is especially important for cats with white ears and noses. These breeds do not have sufficient pigment and protective hairs to protect themselves from the sun. Preferably apply several times a day.

Suitable sunscreens for cats

Cats are known for being good at washing themselves. After brushing their teeth, they also lick their paws again, so it's important that the sunscreen you use 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 for cats and can cause itching.

Doderm Hydro RepairGel

Our Doderm Hydro RepairGel is particularly good for treating minor skin burns. Its main ingredient is antibodies from cow colostrum. This helps the skin regain its resilience and restores the pH value in the skin to the correct balance.

Doderm Hydro RepairGel contains antibodies from colostrum and only 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 the ceramides ensure that the skin cells stick together. This keeps the skin moisturized and keeps bad bacteria away.

Prevention is of course always better, so make sure your cat is well protected from sunburn. Keep your cat out of the sun or protect them with a good sunscreen.

Would you like to know more about how Doderm Hydro RepairGel works exactly? Read all about it on our “ How it works ” page!

We hope that reading this blog has helped you learn more about sunburn in cats. If this blog has left you with any questions, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help!