Vet charity PDSA is urging pet owners to keep their animals safe in the sun after revealing its vets treated nearly 30 cases of skin cancer* last year.
With temperatures set to soar to as high as 25°C (77°F) this weekend, the charity’s vets are warning that it’s not just humans who need protecting from the sun’s harmful rays.
The charity’s pet hospitals saw 29 cases of skin cancer between summer 2014 and 2015, the overwhelming majority of which were cats.
PDSA vet Vicki Larkham-Jones said: “Most people are aware of the risks of sunburn, heat stroke and skin cancer to people but most owners are unaware that our pets face the same dangers.
“Our statistics show we treat a number of pets each year suffering from these conditions. Light coloured pets and those with thin coats, such as whippets and cats with white ears and noses are at highest risk as they have less natural protection against UV radiation from the sun.
“With a little more awareness and some basic precautions, we can keep our pets safer in sunny weather.”
For more information visit www.pdsa.org.uk/summerhealth
