White cats and the sun

Hi all
Just a quickie, I have just "inherited" Harvey who is mainly white, especially on his face, now after I have sorted out his nuetering which will be very soon but due to recent events and his behaviour and the welfare of my kitties he does spend some time still outside he will be a mainly indoor kitty like the rest of mine who only really go out when I do and then when I come in so do they
My question at the minute is that its been really hot here and I've noticed Harvey has alot of pinkish patches on his nose and above his eyes. My friend said I should be applying suncream while he is exposed to the sun. I want to do the right thing by him until I can get sorted properly so should I? and what kind or is there any advice you can give me generally? I have never owned a prominentely white cat before s its all new to me. Thanks in advance. x

Originally Posted by mews2much

I have a solid white sphynx and he gets the same way just from sitting on the window sill.
I would use baby sun screen on your cats ears and nose.

Click to expand...

Thankfully Flowerbelle isn't as in love with lying in the sun as the rest of the cats, because the all white cats are at a much higher risk for skin cancer, even when they live inside only.

Poor baby Flowerbelle got fried in the sun before she got rescued - her ears were so badly burned hair won't grow on the edges. We keep a real close eye on her (as does the vet).

Yes, you should use baby sunscreen on his ears and nose!

So glad Harvey is coming inside. I didn't know about the sun and white cats before, (have not yet had the pleasure of living with and loving a white kitty)

Be sure to wipe the baby sun screen off when he comes in. DON'T use Coppertone baby. It runs and stings like fire.

I used it on my face last time I was at the ocean. I went into the water and was instantly blinded, and my whole day was ruined, because I couldn't get enough of the stuff off to be able to swim without it running in my eyes. It was a nightmare.

I have three white cats and I always put suncream on them before they lie in the windowsill. Wellington goes out sometimes and he knows he has to have the cream on before I open the door.

I use Nivea total sunblock for babies - it is gentle but effective. I rub a blob onto each ear, inside and out, and then a dab on the nose. They fight at first, but they soon accept it.

Thanks so much for your advice and also opening my eyes to the fact that kitties can still get sunburnt inside, I was never aware of this. I have some baby sunblock which I use on my children so I will use this on Harvey, he is in more than he is out at the minute and its going well. x

We lost a kitty, a white Turkish Angora to melanoma due to sun exposure. By the time we adopted her she was already sick and only lived for 11 more mos. She was 11 years old. The people who had her before kept her on their deck, I still weep when I think about her living like that.

Yes, please be careful with the sun exposure.

Marina