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-   -   Sphynx cat skin and sunburn (http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=77967)

marko July 19th, 2011 09:46 AM

Sphynx cat skin and sunburn
 
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Hi everyone!
Just curious, our new cat twiggy likes to sleep in the sun as all cats do but she she has no fur, just a smallish layer of 'down'.
She's strictly an indoor cat so the sun won't beat down on her directly but does anyone know how bad direct window light might be for her?
Might she need a sunblock or is window light not the bad?
We could get drapes of course but we prefer naked windows...and naked cats too i guess, lol.
Here's a snap of the light she like to bask in for a few hours.
Thx! Marko

hazelrunpack July 19th, 2011 11:14 AM

I don't know anything about nekkid kittehs, but a question about the window: Do you know what type of glass is used in it? Some glass is treated with a film that cuts out most of the ultraviolet, which would keep her from burning. Regular glass will cut out [I]some[/I] of the ultraviolet, but it's still possible for a person to burn if they sit in sun filtered through regular glass and their skin burns easily.

She sure does look like she's enjoying her sunbeam. You can practically hear her thinking, "Ahhhhhh, this is the life!"

pattymac July 19th, 2011 11:50 AM

you can get really pretty window film at Home Depot, looks like stained glass and has some really nice designs. It would likely still give her enough warmth but cut down on the bad rays that might give her a sunburn. My Mom is sensitive to the sun (part vampire I think) last winter she got a sunburn in the house!!

marko July 19th, 2011 12:12 PM

Thx for the comments, I guess I'm asking for predictions though. :D

I won't let her get sunburned if i see it happening, and I am checking her skin - I was just interested in people's best guesses if sunburn - rash - irritation was likely. It's been a few days - so far so good. :thumbs up

I wouldn't want to dim all that beautiful light if kitty's skin can take a bit of heat, but i might not be thinking of all the risks including the big C...so I guess I'm asking for guesses on how risky all this basking is.
many thanks!

hazelrunpack July 19th, 2011 12:41 PM

If she gets too hot from the infrared (heat) she'll just get up and leave (unless she's like a setter and has no sense at all :p). But it's harder to tell if there's enough ultraviolet coming through to damage her skin. It depends on how much ultraviolet is being screened out by your glass. I wonder if there's a meter to measure something like that? :shrug:

hazelrunpack July 19th, 2011 12:48 PM

As it happens, yes there is....a meter, I mean. Looks like a bunch of them out there, and they're not so very expensive. The first one I clicked on is $15: [URL="http://www.lessemf.com/ionizing.html"]http://www.lessemf.com/ionizing.html[/URL]

kathryn July 19th, 2011 12:54 PM

They can get sunburn. My friends Sphynx got it before.. it's more common on the lighter skinned ones... her white mink got burned before.

If you search around online, people are starting to make Sphynx Suntan Lotion ... lol.. that's all natural and stuff.

Alternatively, you can buy a light sweater to put on her if you spot her in the sun too much.

[url]http://sphynxcatwear.com/[/url] those are the best sphynx clothes :)

growler~GateKeeper July 20th, 2011 12:18 AM

She's adorable and looks so totally settled in :cloud9:

Even regularly furred cats can get sunburned, my :rip: van calico Mischief had orange ears that would get burned & crispy :( from being outside in the sun too long :rolleyes: :cat: :D, we just put a light coating of regular sunblock on her ears as she wasn't one to wash it off.

marko July 20th, 2011 10:10 AM

Thanks for the comments everyone! Will be checking out some of the links!

Melinda July 20th, 2011 08:43 PM

you could probably use childrens sunscreen also, make sure its for toddlers over age 2

Tundra_Queen July 22nd, 2011 06:13 AM

marko, can u just call your vet and ask the person that answer the phone if they sell it there?


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