Feline Acne???

bellaandme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
2,001
Purraise
22
Location
Indianapolis, IN
I just noticed a couple terrible sores (scabbed over) under Bella's chin. I KNOW there have been threads about this before, but I can't find them right now. I am pretty sure it's probably feline acne. She was eating out of plastic bowls last week so I've switched those out to small china plates. Is there any thing I can use to clean her chin? Any solution I can use? So sorry for my ignorance. She is such a mellow little girl. I reached out to hold her so I could take a look at her chin and she just rolled over on her back--exposing that belly--ready to get a rub..
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
A little soap and water, or even dilute peroxide rinsed off with clean water (just don't do this very often). If there's a slightly deeper sore you could dab a tiny amount of neosporin into it.

I have one that gets acne so easily that, while I hate doing this, I just use cheap paper plates and toss them after each of his meals.

Keep her face clean. When she gets done eating her meals wipe her face and chin with a damp wash cloth or paper towel - much like you'd do with a baby.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

bellaandme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
2,001
Purraise
22
Location
Indianapolis, IN
EXCELLENT!! Thank you!! You know she has SO MUCH fur I think she's getting her wet food stuck there. I've trimmed a lot of her chin fur off so that cleaning it will now be easier. I can't believe I haven't noticed this sooner!!
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
Oh it can pop up pretty quickly.
So it's not your fault. I think part of the problem, too, is dry food. They spray it with fat to preserve it and if you've ever held catfood barehanded you've noticed how greasy your hands get. That's not good for a cat chin. Hence the suggest of wiping her face - sometimes they miss spots on their chins during their after meal wash.
 

python

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
458
Purraise
1
Location
England, UK
Two of my cats got acne last year. One was quite bad with it. We got ointment from the vet but it seemed to make it worse so we stopped using it. It cleared up itself in a few weeks and he hasn't had it back again.

Our other cat (the neighbour's cat who adopted us) had it earlier this year too but it went away by itself without any medical intervention.

Don't know what causes it but seemingly it's very similar to what humans get - and we all know that zit always comes up just before a big night out.
 

sharky

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
27,231
Purraise
38
water with a mild soap... baby wipes can work in a pinch but check the ingrediants
 

momto3cats

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
1,143
Purraise
131
Location
TX
I'm glad I found this thread. My kitty Crumbs seems to have developed chin acne - I just noticed while I was giving her neck/chin rubs. I tried using a damp cloth to wipe the black crud off her chin, but couldn't get all of it before she got fed up.

I haven't used plastic dishes in years, so I don't know why this would happen. Can stress cause it? She has been a bit stressed over the foster kitten who arrived two weeks ago.
 

sharky

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
27,231
Purraise
38
some glazes on ceramic can cause it .... stainless steel can in some cases... Zoey likes to rub against plastic and gets it ... some can get food stuck in fur and cause that
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
Originally Posted by sharky

some can get food stuck in fur and cause that
I think this is honestly the cause in many cats. They can't exactly use a napkin to wipe their mouths after eating. Just think about how messy we get and if we could never wipe our faces clean with more than our hands and some spit.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

bellaandme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
2,001
Purraise
22
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted by strange_wings

I think this is honestly the cause in many cats. They can't exactly use a napkin to wipe their mouths after eating. Just think about how messy we get and if we could never wipe our faces clean with more than our hands and some spit.
I really think that is what caused Bella's acne. She's a long-hair kitty and wears most of her meal on her chin! Just after a couple of days of keeping the area clean and dry I've noticed an improvement. Soo thanks to all for the advice.
 

momto3cats

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
1,143
Purraise
131
Location
TX
Well, Crumbs is a Cornish Rex, so her fur is very short. I'll just be more vigilant about keeping dishes clean, and wipe her chin after wet food meals, and hopefully it'll clear up.
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
I don't think it's fur length related. Messy eaters are messy eaters. I have one cat that gets his wet food on top of his nose.


I hope regular chin washings after meals helps.
 

dusty's mom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
2,176
Purraise
13
Location
California
I just noticed a scabbed over sore in the corner of Dusty's mouth. It must be kitty acne. Thanks for this thread.
 

mizmelzy

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2010
Messages
239
Purraise
4
Location
Wisconsin
Sassy gets those every once in a while. I figured that must be what it is. All though Sassy does not let me cut her nails at all. I have seen one other scab on her which was on her ear, but then went away. But I'm sure that the scabs under her chin were probably acne though. I don't do anything and they seem to go away on their own.
 
Top