Feline Acne

Feline acne is a common skin condition that affects the chins and sometimes parts of the face of cats. Cats typically groom themselves rather thoroughly including their chins. Some cats may neglect cleaning their chins. Those cats are susceptible to feline acne, though some people believe that feline acne is caused by a bacterial infection. Feline acne equally affects male and female cats of all cat breeds. Some cats are prone to feline acne and may have this condition recur after treatment.

The condition of feline acne is characterized by the presence of blackheads on the cat’s chin. Blackheads are an infection of the skin at the hair follicle. Though cat acne is often mild, it can be severe and cause pain, open sores, and hair loss. The feline acne can cause itchiness which could cause the cat to scratch the area. This could cause more irritation and open sores.

Feline acne is diagnosed by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will typically do a skin scraping or biopsy to diagnose feline acne and rule out other medical conditions such as allergies, ringworm, or yeast infection. In some cases, the veterinarian may do blood tests. Treatment may be as simple as frequently and thoroughly cleaning the cat’s chin.

There is no cure for feline acne, but there are methods of treatment. The veterinarian may recommend that mild cases be left untreated with the exception of washing the area. Antibiotics may be given to treat the bacterial infection that is causing the feline acne. Medicated shampoo or other forms of treatment may be used. Severe cases of feline acne may require corticosteroid injections. The best treatment will be determined by the veterinarian.

A cat owner can help prevent feline acne by daily wiping a cat’s chin with a wet washcloth if the cat owner notices that the cat tends to neglect that area. This grooming should be done to prevent a recurrence of feline acne as well. If the feline acne is actually an allergic reaction, the cat owner may be advised by the veterinarian to change cat food or the food and water bowls.