Lifestyle

How to spot and prevent skin cancer in cats


Make sure you thoroughly check their fur (Picture: Getty)

The days are getting warmer, and so it’s important that you look after your pet’s health as the sun comes out.

Particularly cats, as they can be susceptible to environmentally caused skin cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma, which is a form of skin cancer linked to sun exposure.

Not all skin cancer is caused by the sun, and cats can get tumours in which genetic factors play a role.

If you are worried that your skin may have skin cancer, there are ways to spot it.

This includes spending time regularly grooming your cat – which will make sure you are constantly aware of any unusual bumps of lumps, and you can spot any changes in their skin as they appear.

You should make sure to feel areas that you wouldn’t normally stroke – such as their armpits, the groin, the back of the neck, between the shoulder blades, under the tail and the anus.

It’s also important to check their ears and their nose – and if you notice anything peculiar, see your vet as soon as you can.

Skin cancer from the sun can be prevented (Picture: Getty)

It could be absolutely nothing, but it’s better safe than sorry.

Celebrity vet Marc Abraham says: ‘Skin cancer in cats is an extremely serious problem, especially in summer with white/pale coloured cats lacking in sufficient pigment/hair cover.

‘Danger areas include ear-tips and nose and pet-friendly sunblock should always be applied to these areas on cats exposed to sunlight.

‘Any signs of redness or sunburn, or for more advice, please contact your vet immediately; as these sun-damaged areas commonly turn into aggressive forms of cancer and may even require radical treatment such as ear amputation.’

According to Pet Plan, there are ways to prevent skin cancer in cats.

This includes keeping your cats in on really sunny days – which, while may be annoying to them, will be better for their skin. This is especially true for sunburn-prone white cats, or those with white or light-coloured fur on the tips of their ears or head.

You can also buy suncream for pets, which you could put on them before letting them outside. Be careful they don’t lick it all off, and only use suncream specially formulated for cats.

It’s important to remember that while skin cancer in cats is serious, environmental cancer can be prevented and it is treatable.

So make sure you’re keeping an eye on your feline this summer – and head straight to your vet if you spot anything alarming.

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