Sunscreen for your cat? These readers’ replies strongly warn pet owners against the idea
Vets say sun protection matters for pets – especially some cats - but not everyone is happy with that... and their claws are out.
In The Atlantic, Katherine J. Wu explored the surprisingly heated topic of sunscreen... for animals. The science checks out: light-colored pets, especially white cats and dogs, can suffer from sunburn and even develop skin cancer. Some zoo animals even get regular SPF treatments, including elephants, pigs, and an okapi rubbed down with a dish wand.
A few vets recommend sunscreen for certain domestic pets, especially those with thin or light fur. But that makes a few assumptions about your feline friend... and that’s where the comment section lost its mind.
“It would be a bloodbath... for me, not the cat”
Cat owner reaction
Mixed views on cat sunscreen
When Yahoo! News picked up Wu’s story, the comment section became a sun-soaked battlefield. One top-voted reply summed up the mood:
“Even if you managed to sunscreen a cat without getting ripped to shreds, the cat is just going to spend the next hour licking it off. And then get sick from licking it off.” That sentiment got 30 thumbs up. The replies? Mostly variations of “LOL, good luck.”
Another user warned, “Make sure you get the cat’s belly real good, and have lots of bandages on standby.” Someone else added, “If I tried to sunscreen my cat, it would be a bloodbath. For me, not the cat, just so we’re clear.” I LOL’d myself at that one - and immediately pictured my friend’s kitten bolting under the bed the moment she opened a lotion bottle.
There were a few defenders, of course. One commenter said their senior white cat accepts sunscreen just fine when bribed with treats. Another said vets had specifically warned about sun exposure on white cats’ ears. But those voices got buried beneath the sarcasm. Experts, eh, who needs them?!
Some actually took the absurdity further: “Yes! We should start putting sunscreen on wild cats. Especially in Africa. That would make a great PBS documentary.” Another deadpanned: “Grizzlies need sunscreen too. Just approach them gently.”
Should I sunscreen my cat?
Whether or not you decide to cover your pussy cat in lotion, really depends on how serious you take the risk, and whether you prefer to listen to online warriors or vets.
According to International Cat Care, you should use pet-specific sunscreen on cats if they’re at risk, especially white or thin-furred cats. Focus on vulnerable spots like the nose, ear tips, belly, and groin, and always check the label to confirm it’s safe for cats, testing a small amount first in case of irritation. If your cat licks it off and gets sick (vomiting, diarrhoea), contact your vet immediately.
To help the sunscreen stay on, distract your cat with treats or playtime after application.
If you’d rather skip sunscreen, keep at-risk cats indoors during peak sun hours, especially in hot climates.
Watch for signs of sunburn (red, irritated skin) or skin cancer, like persistent scabs on the ears or nose – common areas for squamous cell carcinoma. Left untreated, it can be dangerous.
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