Latest news with #sun
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Should You Sunscreen Your Cat?
The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. For all of the eons that animal life has existed on Earth, the sun has been there too. And for all of those eons, animal life has had only one solution for intense exposure to the sun: evolution. Some creatures have thick, dark skin that's resistant to UV harm; others sprout fur, scales, or feathers that block the sun's rays. Many fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds may produce a compound that protects their cells against the sun's damaging effects. Hippos, weirdly, ooze a reddish, mucus-y liquid from their pores that absorbs light before it can destroy their skin. And plenty of creatures have evolved behaviors that take advantage of their environment—rolling around in dirt or mud, simply retreating into the shade. But certain modern animals have sun problems that natural selection can't easily solve. Some reside at zoos that can't perfectly replicate their habitat; others live at latitudes that their ancestors didn't experience. Others spend too much time sunbathing in a living-room window, or sport sparse or light-colored fur or hair because their domesticators liked the way it looked. For these animals, people have come up with a shorter-term solution: sunscreen. If, that is, a creature is willing to accept the treatment. Indu, an Asian elephant who lived at the Phoenix Zoo, was game. A few years ago, Heather Wright, one of the zookeepers, noticed the tops of Indu's ears pinking, peeling, and flaking in the summer heat, much like her human keepers' did. So her caretakers picked up some zinc-oxide-based sunblock—specially formulated for sensitive (human) skin—and dabbed it on the elephant. Indu, to be fair, was used to a level of care most wild animals don't enjoy. 'We had already been applying lotion,' to manage dryness, Wright told me. The elephant knew the drill: Once in the barn, she'd lumber up to a window with an opening for her ear and stick the appendage through. As far as zoo staff members could tell, the treatment helped. 'There's nothing magical' about other animals' skin, Leslie Easterwood, a large-animal veterinarian at Texas A&M University, told me: Bake it in the sun, and it will burn. Scientists have spotted whales suffering from sunburns; cats, dogs, horses—even alpacas, turtles, and penguins—can develop all kinds of skin cancers. Pigs, in particular, 'have skin most similar to humans,' Mitchell Song, a veterinary dermatologist based in Arizona told me. At Zoo Miami, keepers have spread mud on older, arthritic wild pigs who can't wallow as well as they did in their youth; they've also applied sunscreen to a babirusa, a species of swine native to Indonesia's forests, and to a Kunekune pig, Gwen Myers, the zoo's chief of animal health, told me. In some sunny places, vets commonly recommend sunscreen for pets and other domesticated creatures, especially light-colored dogs and horses. Steve Valeika, a veterinarian in North Carolina, advises the same for 'white cats that go outside.' This particular conundrum is one of our own making. 'You don't see a lot of white-skinned animals in the wild,' Anthea Schick, a veterinary dermatologist in Arizona, told me. Only thanks to generations of selective breeding have they become a frequent presence in and around people's homes. Of course, to sunscreen your pet, you have to … sunscreen your pet. Some pet owners, vets told me, are definitely flummoxed by the suggestion: 'It's not widely discussed,' Schick told me. Vets are more unified in recommending teeth brushing for cats—and most cat owners still just decide they'd rather not. But some animals would certainly benefit from block: Schick told me she's seen her fair share of badly burned dogs, especially after long bouts of sunbathing that scorch their bellies. 'We see a lot of sun-induced skin cancers that could be avoided,' she said. Pit bulls, Dalmatians, and other short-haired breeds are especially vulnerable; even long-haired white cats are sensitive around their eyes, their nose, and the tips of their ears. And Easterwood estimates that the majority of paint horses, left unprotected, will eventually develop skin issues. Squamous-cell-carcinoma cases make up the majority of her workload: 'I see it every single day,' she said. The vets I spoke with generally agreed: Don't bother with sprays, which a lot of animals find annoying or downright terrifying; reapply often, and well; it is way, way, way harder to sunscreen a cat than a dog, though some brave souls manage it. But although some vets recommended human sunscreens, formulated for kids or sensitive skin, others told me they preferred blends marketed for animals. (The FDA has dubbed just one pet sunscreen, made by a company called Epi-Pet and marketed to dogs and horses, 'FDA compliant'—not the same as FDA approval, which requires rigorous safety testing.) Several warned against zinc oxide, which can be toxic to animals if ingested in large quantities; others felt that zinc oxide was worth the risk, unless administered to a tongue-bathing cat. Regardless of the product they're offered, most animals generally aren't as eager as Indu to subject themselves to a human-led sun-protection ritual. And even she was usually plied with a five-gallon bucket of fruits and vegetables while her keepers tended her ears. At Zoo Miami, keeper Madison Chamizo told me she and her colleagues had to spend months training an okapi—an African mammal closely related to a giraffe—to accept caretakers gently scrubbing sunscreen onto her back with a modified Scotch-Brite dishwand, after she lost some patches of hair on her back to a fungal infection. But for creatures in very sunny parts of the world, the alternatives are, essentially, being cooped up indoors, kept away from windows, or wrestled into full-body sunsuits. (Some dogs don't mind; cats, once again, are unlikely to comply.) And some sun-related problems, sunscreen can't fix. Gary West, the Phoenix Zoo's vet, told me he suspects that UV glare has caused eye inflammation in some of his animals; Myers, in Miami, worries about the sensitive skin around some species' eyes. 'They're not really going to wear sunglasses for us,' Myers told me. So she and her colleagues have started to wonder: 'Gosh, is this an animal that we could put a sun visor on?' Article originally published at The Atlantic Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
20 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
More sun and warmer temperatures Wednesday
More sun and warmer temperatures Wednesday Fair weather extends through mid-week in the Maritimes with a higher chance of rain and showers for Friday.
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Coronation Street's Nikki Sanderson, 41, branded ‘unreal' as she strips off to a bikini
CORONATION Street's Nikki Sanderson has sent fans wild after stripping down to a bikini. The actress, best known for playing Sarah Platt's former rival Candice Stowe, showed off her toned figure in a tiny two-piece while soaking up the sun abroad. 6 6 Nikki, who has barely aged a day since her Weatherfield debut in the late '90s, posed with her hair swept back and a golden glow - leaving fans stunned by her age-defying looks. One gushed: "Looking sensational Nikki." Another added: "Incredibly gorgeous!!" A third penned: "Insane physique." This comes after the star quit Hollyoaks after 12 years. The Sun revealed in February that Nikki was leaving the Channel 4 soap and had filmed her final scenes. Maxine departed the village in a taxi, after making plans to escape the country alongside her daughter Minnie. Speaking to The Liverpool Echo, Nikki shared: "It's the weirdest feeling because it's an end of an era. "It's exciting but also really sad. It's hard to describe how I'm feeling about it. Inside soap couple Nikki Sanderson and Anthony Quinn's romantic holiday in Mallorca "It's going to be very different and I'm kind of getting used to it I guess. It's a different normal for me now." Insiders previously revealed that Nikki had decided to move on to give herself more freedom to try other roles. A source told The Sun: 'She met with bosses and told them of her plans to leave, she'd just turned 40 and felt the time was right to say goodbye to Maxine. 'She's keen to explore other opportunities and is excited to get back out there." From Hollyoaks to Hollywood James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap. The former American TV host doesn't have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was "hell on earth." Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey. Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010. Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs. Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child. Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady. Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent. Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth. Hannah's eating disorder storyline was the first of it's kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away. Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry 'Newt' Newton. Nico's main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact. He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village. Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America. He played one of the soap's resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 - when he was killed off at his wedding. After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods. He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009. Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt. His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off. After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop. Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving. In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC's series, taking over from Ruby Rose. Fans have speculated Nikki could reprise her Coronation Street role as Candice Stowe. She portrayed Sarah Platt's best friend in 400 episodes from 1999 to 2005. But whatever the future does hold, Nikki says she grateful to have the support of boyfriend, fellow Hollyoaks alum, Anthony Quinlan, 40, who played Gilly Roach on the show from 2005 to 2011. Nikki remains coy when it comes to discussing partner of three-and-a-half years, but she does admit she's never been happier - and won't rule out marriage and children with him. She says: 'I don't like to talk too much about my personal life, but I will say I'm the happiest I've ever been, Anthony is incredible. 'I'm in a wonderful, happy relationship, so let's see what the future holds! Anthony really is my rock, he's been incredibly supportive of me in my tough decision to leave Hollyoaks.' 6 6 6 6
CBC
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Your horoscope for the week ahead: Ask yourself, 'What if?' and dare to follow through
Shaking off self doubt could become a whole lot easier this week, particularly as the spirit-driving sun enters proud Leo on Tuesday. Over the next four weeks of this transit, you'll be encouraged to act boldly and embrace your extroverted side. Let this renewed sense of confidence inspire you to chase the limelight and pursue your most ambitious creative goals — but be mindful of how you treat people in the process. Watch out for selfish behaviour, and remember to still make space for others to be heard as you pour yourself into creating something new and beautiful. Beware of conflict on Wednesday, as tempers could flare once relationship-ruling Venus in flippant Gemini squares testy Mars in inflexible Virgo. Under this aspect, we often get wrapped up in our own perspectives and can find it difficult to see where others are coming from. Avoid collaboration for the time being and try to simply sit with the feelings that this energy brings up; reflecting on the source of your discomfort might even help you identify some larger issues that need fixing. On Thursday, the purpose-guiding sun in bighearted Leo will trine imaginative Neptune in optimistic Aries, which could motivate you to focus your efforts on making your corner of the world a better place. This aspect is known to soften our hearts and strengthen our empathy, allowing us to tune in to the needs of the collective. Explore how you can lend your support with meaningful action, whether that means volunteering in your community, donating to a cause that's close to your heart or something else entirely. Don't get discouraged by the size of your contribution — even small acts of kindness can make an immeasurable difference in people's lives. As the new moon in brave Leo arrives a couple hours later, you may feel driven to revisit certain dreams that you previously put on hold. New moons are believed to provide opportunities for us to restructure our lives with imagination and intention. Harness the power of this lunation by taking a leap of faith that centres your desires. Now is a brilliant time to ask yourself, "What if?" and dare to follow through. Here is your horoscope for the week of Monday, July 21, 2025. Aries In the mood to blow off some steam, Aries? As Leo season begins this week, you may notice that you feel particularly refreshed — and ready to indulge your playful side. When it comes to romance, single rams could find that this transit makes them excited to socialize with new romantic matches, while still keeping things light and airy. In a relationship? Surprising your partner with a spontaneous excursion could be a beautiful way to infuse more pleasure into your bond. On the work front, you may feel as if you have some room to breathe this week; use this break to explore any professional opportunities that you've been curious about. Taurus There's nothing wrong with slowing down, Taurus. In fact, as Leo season arrives this week, you'll be wise to take a break from your busy schedule to focus on gathering your thoughts and re-establishing your foundations. This will be a beautiful time to reconnect with your loved ones, chip away at your to-do list and tinker with repairs around your space. Enjoy letting your world become a quieter place as you seek to revitalize and nurture your gentle spirit. You may even find that giving yourself more room to think allows you to come up with some potentially lucrative ideas for your career. Don't be afraid to experiment with new possibilities. Gemini Your summer is about to become action-packed, Gemini. As the sun moves into Leo this week, you may notice your life starting to speed up in a way that feels particularly satisfying. Your nimble mind will also be activated during this transit, allowing you to easily absorb massive amounts of information and channel what you've learned toward helping your community. Just keep in mind that you may need to work a bit harder to retain all the tidbits that you pick up with so many balls in the air. Then, come mid-week, someone in your social circle could come to you with a hot tip for your career. Use this as motivation to take a bold step forward. Cancer Feel the ground beneath your feet, Cancer. As Leo season begins this week, your connection to the material plane could strengthen, motivating you to elevate your surroundings and tantalize your senses with the best that life has to offer. It's easy to get swept away by material comforts under this indulgent energy, but do your best to stay focused on what's really important. The next few weeks of this transit could also help to clarify your financial responsibilities and give you a stronger understanding of exactly what needs to be done in order to achieve your goals. Prioritize security over sparkle, and you're sure to come out on top. Leo Are you ready to roar, Leo? Prepare for your undeniable light to shine extra bright when your birthday season arrives near the beginning of this week. Over the course of this transit, you'll be in command and people are bound to take notice. Have fun defying expectations and keeping everyone on their toes during this period; embracing spontaneity is sure to enhance your charisma and add to your mystique. Just ensure that you keep things in moderation so you don't risk driving away your adoring audience. With the right attitude and timing, you have the chance to accomplish amazing things — don't waste it. Virgo Does it feel as if you've been bouncing between commitments non-stop lately, Virgo? If so, the arrival of Leo season could bring you a beautiful chance to unwind and recalibrate your energy. It's important that you heal yourself before assuming any new responsibilities, so use this transit as an opportunity to take a break from life's constant buzz, reflect on what you've learned so far this year and process the profound shifts that have been bubbling beneath the surface. You might even find it useful to keep a dream journal during this period — valuable insights could crop up from your unconscious mind and you'll want to be ready to jot them down. Libra Prepare to spread your wings, Libra. As Leo season arrives this week, it could feel as if friends, colleagues and acquaintances are all vying for your attention, which is sure to coax your inner social butterfly out of its cocoon. Have fun filling your calendar with all kinds of unconventional activities over the next few weeks of this transit; you may even find that doing so exposes you to a new circle of people who bring fresh vibes and an influx of creative energy. Still, don't be surprised if your suddenly adventurous mindset catches your loved ones off guard at first. Give your favourite people some time to process these changes and they'll be sure to come around. Scorpio Step out from the shadows, Scorpio. While it's typically your nature to keep things concealed, you'll be called to get more comfortable with the spotlight as Leo season arrives this week. During this transit, people will be eager to celebrate and recognize your talents, so if you feel a bit shy at first, try to focus on what you can accomplish when you have the attention of those you admire. On the work front, this could be an excellent time to refresh your resumé, polish up your online presence and re-evaluate what you want to be known for. Don't miss this chance to take a bold step forward, especially if you're aiming for a promotion or considering a big move. Sagittarius Longing for adventure, Sagittarius? As the sun moves into Leo this week, you may feel particularly thirsty for knowledge and eager to explore new horizons. Use the next few weeks of this transit to untether yourself from unnecessary commitments and prioritize experiences that urge you to embrace the unknown. And if your excursions come with a hefty price tag, don't fear. The energy of this astrological season could also motivate you to come up with money-saving solutions that'll help you stretch your dollars. Have fun discussing your ideas with people who encourage your wanderlust — they might even offer you some useful tips in return. Capricorn There's no shame in taking some time to process, Capricorn. Keep that in mind if you feel driven to retreat into your inner world as Leo season begins this week. During this transit, you'll be called to take an honest look in the mirror, and while that may not be an easy feat at first, doing so will ultimately make you stronger and wiser. So use this moment to really consider which beliefs and habits might be holding you back from reaching your true potential. This will also be a brilliant chance to take note of how your life has become entangled with others and invest in fortifying those connections. See what you can build together when you let your walls down. Aquarius Your love runs deep, Aquarius. But you also tend to reserve your softer side for a select few. This inclination could go into overdrive as Leo season sweeps in this week, making you keenly attuned to the needs of your nearest and dearest. Romantic and platonic connections are likely to receive your undivided attention over this period, as you prioritize spending time with your favourite people. Single water-bearers might find that this energy causes them to be more particular about who they invest in romantically — but that these relationships also develop quickly once they start. It'll be up to you to separate the green flags from the red ones. Pisces It's time to bring order to chaos, Pisces. As Leo season arrives this week, you may find that pushing yourself to declutter your space and schedule actually allows you to feel more confident. Your organizational skills are sure to sharpen under this energy, motivating you to create reliable routines that can help bring structure to your days and support your overall well-being. This renewed interest in efficiency may even inspire you to invest in an idea or practice that could increase your earning potential at work. Consider how you can apply your talents and skills to give yourself a professional leg up.
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
Your daily horoscope: July 21, 2025
Make it your business over the coming year to disrupt the status quo and get friends and family members and work colleagues to take a more adventurous approach to life. Cancer is a cardinal sign, which means it is your cosmic duty to lead. Try not to make life too complicated for yourself. With the sun about to move in your favour all you have to do is keep things simple and let the universe guide you. One of the very best times of the year is about to begin. Enjoy it. If the old way of doing things no longer seems to be working for you that is your wake-up call to try a different approach. That applies to all areas of your life but in particular you need to be more mellow in your approach to relationships. Be careful what you say over the next 24 hours because yours words will be taken seriously by just about everyone. If you toss in a remark that is meant to be humorous you may find that others take it at face value, which could be embarrassing. As one of the more sensitive signs of the zodiac you can usually tell when you are being misled and if your instincts warn you need to be on your guard today you must take them seriously. That applies doubly where money matters are concerned. One of the best times of the year begins for you tomorrow when the sun moves into your sign, so start making plans and be ready to move fast when the opportunity to make a name for yourself arrives, which it will very soon. Your mind may be overflowing with big ideas but there is no way you can do justice to them all, so take some time out today to identify your top three goals for the rest of the year – and don't let anyone or anything distract you from them. If there is an issue you feel strongly about you must make it your business to let those around you know that you intend doing something about it. The fact that you are so passionate about the matter will make finding a solution so much easier. Your razor-sharp mind will come up with solutions to problems that your rivals are unaware even exist. While they are struggling to make sense of events you will be working toward finding the kind of answers that can make those problems go away. The next few days will bring news that excites and delights you. The sun's move into the most adventurous and imaginative area of your chart tomorrow will make it easy for you to see that your glass is not just half full but actually overflowing. If you are in the market for romance there is a real chance that you will find it today, so stay alert when out and about and don't be shy about making the first move if a special someone catches your eye. They are looking at you too! You may have a great many duties and responsibilities to take care of but you can still make time for amusement. Even if you are on the go from early until late, events in your immediate environment will bring opportunities to have some fun. The more others say they need and deserve your support the more suspicious you must be. Maybe they do need a hand and maybe you can do something for them but the planets indicate they really should be doing more for themselves. Discover more about yourself at
