Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why are my white cat's ears sunburnt, peeling, and bleeding?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Female | spayed | 8 years and 1 month old

hello, so I have a question about my cat's ears. She is completely white and during the summer the sun burns her ears. During the time it got worse, started to turn into small wounds and from time to time the small wounds would started to blood. Her ears are not white anymore but red and without any hair on them. The skin would peel off and during the winter the condition would calm down and her ears would start to heal. I asked my local vet about it and he saw my cats ears but he doesn't care.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 30th, 2018

This is a serious problem as cats with white ears and lots of sunburns are very prone to cancer on the ears (Squamous Cell Carcinoma). The best would be to make your cat an inside only cat in summer so that she is not exposed to the sun. This includes pulling shades in the house so she cannot sunbathe and get burnt in the window either. You can try to put sun lotion on the ears with a high protection factor against UV light, however most cats will lick it off. Keeping her out of the sun is vital and the only way to keep her from being burned.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 8th, 2016

    White cats easily get sunburned and also are more prone to getting skin cancer especially on the ears. You should take your kitty to a vet for an exam. Prevention of skin cancer in white cats' ears can be done by restricting further exposure to the sun, the application of sunscreens, and, in some cases, tattooing the ears, for example.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 24th, 2017

    Please provide pictures so we can further help with Cleopatras case. Many white cats develop severe sun damage and cancers especially of the ears required partial amputation. If you have detected mild flushing and sun burn, keep her indoors for 5-7days to allow it to heal and apply a high factor, childrens sun block in the future to all bare patches, keep indoors during the hottest parts of the day to try to prevent further damage. IF advanced, scabbed and thickened areas are present a full vet assessment and possible surgery should be arranged urgently

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My white cat's ear is red, warm, and twitching. Sunburn or infection?
It is possible that his ear was sunburned, but he could also have an ear infection. It's not normal to have this area bright red, and I would have your cat seen by a vet immediately. The vet can diagnose if he has a sunburn or an ear infection, and can treat him for it.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Are brown spots on my white cat's ear from sun exposure normal?
These are probably not sun burn areas, as those would be red and ulcerated in appearance. Instead these are probably freckles. To make sure that there are no other causes of this (i.e. Cancer, skin disease) I would recommend having your vet take a look at best areas or sharing a photo via private consultation request here with one of the available experts. I hope things work out well for your kitty.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why are my white cat's ears scabbing and looking severely damaged?
It is difficult to diagnose without actually seeing the lesion but it could be an infection or possibly a squamous cell carcinoma which is more common in white cats. If your vet is not able to diagnose then you should find another vet in your area that can examine your cat.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
My cat's ears are scabby, bleeding, and one fell off. What to do?
Poor Kitty Bear! I would be concerned that she may have ear tip vasculitis that affects the blood flow to the tips of the ears and can result in crusts and ulcerative wounds. Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer that can affect the tips of the ears as well but it would be unusual for both ears to be affected. I would definitely recommend having your vet examine her as soon as possible to determine what might be going on. A biopsy might be recommended.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why is my cat's ear bent, scabbed, and losing fur around the edges?
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The scab could be a self-inflicted wound if Yamcha has been scratching the ear excessively. It often happens with ear canal infections. It could be reaction to sun - cats can get sun burns, which most often affects ears. You can try using sunscreen on the ears to see if it is going to help ( you can buy sunscreen for cats Online). Finally, there are some diseases affecting the tip of the ear (usually auto-immune diseases) but they are very uncommon in cats.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why does my cat keep getting worsening cuts and blisters on her ears?
This presentation could be due to a trauma (autotraumatism) or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why does my cat have scabs or bumps on its ears? Is it serious?
This may be sun damage, a precursor to skin cancer, a skin infection or damage due to excessive scratching. I recommend a full check up as soon as possible, in many cases removal of the ear tips and biopsy is recommended if no apparent infection is identified
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Cat SuppliesCat FoodCat Ear & Eye CareWet Cat FoodCat Eyedrops & Ear MedicationCat First AidCat Allergy & Itch ReliefCat Health & WellnessSkin & Coat Supplements for CatsFlea & Tick Solutions for CatsCanned Cat FoodCat Grooming & BathingHeart & Blood Pressure Medicine for CatsCat ToysFlea Shampoo for CatsCat Vitamins & SupplementsDewormer Treatments for CatsAntifungal Medication for CatsFlea Sprays for CatsCat Styptic Powder
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button