Sunscreen For My White Cats
March 22, 2017 6:57 AM Subscribe
I recently finished screening and thoroughly escape-proofing my porch, with an eye to giving my cats a safe taste of the outdoors. But I know my two white cats will now need sun protection for their ears, and many human sunscreens are toxic to cats. What feline sunscreen do you use or can recommend?
We are in Florida, if that matters. Having been to the awesome big cat rescue in Tampa and witnessed the florida sun's impact on the poor white servals, I really want to try to help my cats avoid that fate.
We are in Florida, if that matters. Having been to the awesome big cat rescue in Tampa and witnessed the florida sun's impact on the poor white servals, I really want to try to help my cats avoid that fate.
I can't stand sunscreen, so I wear long-sleeved natural fabrics. The other day at the pet store I saw hoodies for dogs. So a natural fabricked shirt-with-hat might be something to look into?
posted by aniola at 8:13 AM on March 22, 2017
posted by aniola at 8:13 AM on March 22, 2017
Or maybe a bonnet, if you're just worried about their ears?
posted by aniola at 8:18 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by aniola at 8:18 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: So, I had a white cat, and I've had cats with white ears (so pink skin). I've never known a typical domesticated cat that had access to adequate shade who had sunburn. There are ingredients in sunblock that are going to be toxic to your cat, as you know, and I am not finding any feline sunscreens, I believe because the basic chemicals that make up sunscreens are just flatly not okay for cats. So the best thing to do is allow access during times when the sun is less intense, and or limit access during the most intense time of day for sun. Make sure they have access to shade and lots of water.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:53 AM on March 22, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:53 AM on March 22, 2017 [14 favorites]
We have a mostly white cat, with the exposed pink nose and ears that I assume you are concerned about. We use Filtabac, which was recommended by our vet. Their website does say you should consult a vet before using on cats.
posted by biffa at 9:27 AM on March 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by biffa at 9:27 AM on March 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I don't have a sunscreen recommendation, but I just wanted to say that my white cat did die of skin cancer that began on her ears. By the time we had her outer ear tissue removed, it had gotten into her brain. Sorry for the downer, but this does happen and she had free access to shaded areas. Good idea protecting your cats.
posted by Knowyournuts at 10:06 AM on March 22, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Knowyournuts at 10:06 AM on March 22, 2017 [6 favorites]
Not sure of your financial situation, or the ages of your cats, or even your esthetic sensibilities regarding tattooing, but I will mention that tattooing around the eyes and muzzle to prevent sunburn and cancer in horses is now A. Thing.
This isn't something I'd do to any animal, but I certainly understand why people do reach for this as a solution.
What about little crocheted ear protectors that tie into a collar? Depending on the cat, it might work. They would be similiar to a fly bonnet for a horse.
posted by BlueHorse at 5:18 PM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
This isn't something I'd do to any animal, but I certainly understand why people do reach for this as a solution.
What about little crocheted ear protectors that tie into a collar? Depending on the cat, it might work. They would be similiar to a fly bonnet for a horse.
posted by BlueHorse at 5:18 PM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
I should add that we stopped putting the sunblock on our cat's nose as he just licked it off straight away. He can't give quite the same attention to his ears and if you rub it in then it last for a couple of days.
posted by biffa at 3:18 AM on March 23, 2017
posted by biffa at 3:18 AM on March 23, 2017
Is the entire porch screened in? Window films offer 99% UV reduction if there are windows that you could put the film on. There are also solar screens that help with this.
posted by getawaysticks at 5:29 AM on March 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by getawaysticks at 5:29 AM on March 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Following up about this, I did ask my vet and they recommended to use human sunscreens, which I know is not right. Based on all the info provided, I am going to look for a sunscreen that contains no zinc oxide but has titanium dioxide (which seems to be safe?). I might also look at getting a cat door timer that will only let them out during the mornings and later afternoons/evenings.
I'm pretty happy with my vet otherwise, FWIW.
Thanks, all.
posted by ZeroDivides at 3:36 PM on April 14, 2017
I'm pretty happy with my vet otherwise, FWIW.
Thanks, all.
posted by ZeroDivides at 3:36 PM on April 14, 2017
Response by poster: For future searchers, I ended up buying this, California Baby Super Sensitive SPF 30 Stick. At the time of this writing, its only active ingredient is Titanium Dioxide and it does not appear to contain any inactive ingredients that are harmful to cats.
posted by ZeroDivides at 1:47 PM on April 19, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by ZeroDivides at 1:47 PM on April 19, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by TinWhistle at 7:34 AM on March 22, 2017 [8 favorites]