Question: Clover, my indoor cat, sits in a glass block window, soaking up sun and watching birds in a nearby tree. Do I need to worry about her getting skin cancer?
Answer: Rays in the ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) wavelengths cause sunburn, eye damage, and skin cancer. Window glass blocks almost all UVB rays but only one-third of UVA rays, which can cause cancer. The most commonly affected regions are the cat’s nose, ears, and other areas where hair is sparse or pink skin lies beneath white hair. Closing the curtains between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. would cut her risk, but a better option may be to apply ultraviolet-blocking film to the window. It’s transparent, so Clover will still be able to see the birds, and it will let some of the heat through. But the film will completely block the UV light, protecting Clover as well as preventing your upholstery from fading. Another choice is pet sunscreen. Since some ingredients are toxic to cats that ingest them while grooming, choose a product labeled specifically for cats.
Ask the Vet is written by veterinarian Lee Pickett, VMD. Send questions to [email protected] and read more at saturdayeveningpost.com/ask-the-vet.
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