kittens
Feline acne is a form of acne that occurs in some cats; dogs can also get their own version, known as canine acne. Like human acne, feline acne has a variety of causes and treatment options and can appear just once or can affect a cat for life. Since some more serious health conditions can be mistaken for acne, it’s a good idea to take a cat to the vet to rule out these conditions if the acne looks really bad or doesn’t go away after home treatment.
Veterinarian inspecting a cat with feline acne.
In feline acne, blackheads form under the chin, and in Persian cats, blackheads may also appear in the creases of the face, especially around the eyes. At first glance, a cat with acne may simply appear to have a dirty chin, with bits of black cloth clinging around the chin and sometimes the lips as well. The formal term for these blackheads is “comedones” and they are caused by a buildup of oils in the follicles and pores.
In a mild case of acne, comedones may go away on their own, but sometimes they can become infected, crack, split, and cause open sores to appear. The chin area may be swollen and tender, and the cat may scratch in an attempt to deal with the itchiness associated with the condition. The cat’s efforts can cause a deeper infection to develop, causing even more pain and making the disease more difficult to treat.
Several things are linked to feline acne, including stress, poor grooming habits, dermatitis, overproduction of plain oil, and plastic water containers, which can harbor bacteria. The best treatment for feline acne is a gentle antibacterial wash, which will keep the skin clean while removing comedones. The condition should clear up in a few days; if not, the cat may have a more serious problem.
In the case of infected acne, it is advisable to go to the veterinarian. The vet may prescribe steroids to treat the inflammation and infection, reducing the cat’s pain and itching and relieving the condition quickly. If a cat has recurring acne, the vet may also recommend regular use of a topical wash to keep the cat’s chin free of bacteria and oil, with the goal of preventing another acne breakout.