Causes And Treatment Of Feline Acne

Feline acne is a typically mild skin condition that some cats develop. Acne in cats is not much different than acne in humans. Feline acne affects the faces of cats and is most common on the cat’s chin.

Acne in cats often looks like blackheads on the cat’s lips and chin. The blackheads may not be clearly visible in which cases the acne may make the chin look dirty. The acne may cause abscesses which open and crust over.

Most cases of feline acne are minor and cause no complications. Severe cases can cause hair loss, skin irritation, swelling, open sores, and infection. The risk of these complications increases if the cat is scratching the area.

Common causes of acne in cats include poor grooming, stress, allergic reactions, and dirt or food caught in skin folds of the cat’s face. Cat acne can be due to overactive oil glands in the cat’s skin.

Light-colored cats often experience changes in skin coloring which can cause black dots on the chin. These dots can resemble feline acne. Other skin conditions like bacterial infections, ringworm, yeast infections, and mange are sometimes mistaken for cat acne.

Because other skin conditions of the chin could be mistaken for feline acne, the cat should be examined by a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. A biopsy, skin scraping, or other diagnostic tests may be performed.

The veterinarian may prescribe a special shampoo, mild soap, or wet compresses with an Epsom salt solution. A topical ointment, fatty acid supplements, or antibiotics may be prescribed. Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used for the treatment of this condition.

Some cases of acne in cats can be prevented. The cat’s face may need to be cleaned more regularly by the cat owner, especially after the cat eats.

Feline acne from allergies may occur on the face if the food bowls are triggering the allergic reaction. Stainless steel or ceramic food and water dishes are often recommended over plastic ones to prevent skin allergic reactions.

The cat owner should refrain from squeezing the blackheads which could make the cat’s skin susceptible to infection. If the cat acne does not clear up with treatment, the cat should be examined by the veterinarian again. Another type of treatment may be needed.

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