Sunshine and Cats

Our resident cat expert, Wendy Nan Rees, offers advice on cats and sunshine.

Cats love basking in sunlight.

As many of you know, I do not personally own a cat, but my wonderful assistant Ruthie has over 25 cats on her farm. Many of my close friends also have cats, so I may not live with a cat everyday, but I am blessed to have many wonderful cats in and around my life.

This is why this week's tip about protecting your cat from sunlight is especially interesting to me. I had never realized it was possible for a cat to get skin cancer until it happened to my neighbor's cat last week. My neighbor called me to ask if I could help her find the right vet for her cat that appeared to have a tumorous growth. I said I would help, but I could not hide the shock in my voice. I asked if I could have 24 hours to educate myself about feline skin cancer, and then I would help her find several types of vets to meet and consult with. She would then be able to make an informed decision about the best way to treat her cat's condition.

After my neighbor had several different veterinary consultations, the small tumor was removed from her cat with an excellent prognosis. The cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes; kitty just wouldn't be lounging in the sun anytime soon.

Did you know skin cancer is the second most common cancer in cats? I did not know this, but it accounts for 25 percent of the overall cancer rate in cats. All cats are at risk for skin cancer in the exposed areas around their noses, eyelids, ear tips and mouths, but the cats at greatest risk are hairless or light colored to white.

Not to date myself, but back in the day I can remember playing in the pool and watching my parents load up on baby oil and iodine with the sun-reflector on their faces, taking long naps in the sun. Today, we wouldn’t even think of going outside, certainly not taking a four hour naps in the sun without sun-block. Unfortunately, our cats haven't gotten this memo. Their favorite time to have a mid-day nap is between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; that’s when the sun is at its deadliest.

In young cats, a year and under, the most common type of tumor is called a "mast cell", and it can appear as a lump under the skin on a cat's neck, lips and face. If you feel this type of lump, you want to visit your vet immediately. Beyond mast cells, there are several other types of skin cancer to be aware of, namely "Basil cell" and "squamous".

Here as some tips and warning signs to help protect you and your cat from experiencing skin cancer.

1. Become vigilent with your kittens early, and don't allow them to take their high-noon nap in direct sunlight.
2. Get to know your cat's body at a young age by grooming it daily, brushing its teeth and cleaning its ears. This way if you notice a dark spot, a lump or wound that continuously bleeds, you will catch these warning signs and head to the vet.
3. If you know you have a fair-skinned cat to begin with, make a point not to let it hang out in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
4. Even an indoor cat can have a favorite large window where the UV lights come through, so try putting a coating over the window to stop this harmful light from coming in.
5. Another great detection method, one that your cat will purr through, is massage therapy. This can help you detect any bumps, masses and suspicious areas.
6. When brushing your cat's teeth, check the roof of its mouth, cheeks and tongue for lumps, bumps and spots.
7. Talk to your vet about veterinary approved non-toxic, lick-resistant sun block for your cat.

By establishing a pattern of grooming your cat or kitten, you'll be able to notice any physical changes much quicker. The younger you start this process, the easier this maintenance will be for both of you. Lucky for us and our pets, scientists and researchers are developing sun block products for cats. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian first before using a particular product. If your vet approves the sun block you want to try, go ahead and use it. It just might keep your own cat from ever developing skin cancer.

“Remember the animals in your life are not just your pets they’re your friends” WNR

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