Cat chin acne: symptoms, causes, and treatment

Updated 07/11/2023

Cat chin acne - is it a thing? Actually, yes, and it’s more common than you might think! Much like we humans, our feline friends can encounter the odd breakout - and while cat acne chin isn’t usually considered to be a serious condition in cats, in severe cases (or in cases of infection), it can cause your kitty some unpleasant pain and discomfort. Not good.

So, diligent cat parents - read on as we explore the (not-so-wonderful) world of feline acne - along with the common symptoms, causes, and importantly, how to treat cat chin acne.

What is cat chin acne?

Cat acne, otherwise known as follicular keratinization, is a poorly understood condition in cats where the hair follicle becomes blocked due to excess production of keratin (a protein found in the skin). The chin area tends to be the most commonly affected area, hence the term, although it can also appear around your cat’s mouth and muzzle area. Acne can develop on other parts of your cat's body, too, but it's not as common.

While popular culture often links acne with teenage years, like humans, cats can develop acne at any age. While most cases of cat under chin acne are mild and shouldn't cause your kitty too much discomfort, if infected, it can cause pain and other unpleasant symptoms - which we’ll delve into shortly.

Symptoms of cat chin acne

If you've noticed red bumps or black dots under your cat’s chin, it's possible your kitty may be dealing with a bout of feline acne. In most cases, cat acne appears as small comedones (aka, cat chin blackheads), which can easily be mistaken for dirt under the chin (especially if your kitty is the adventurous, fence-hopping type!). As such, it can be a hard condition to spot (excuse the pun) and diagnose. Here are the main symptoms to look for: 

• Small red pustules (with or without a head) or black dots under the chin (which can often be mistaken for dirt) 
• Swollen and inflamed skin around the chin/mouth area 
• Hard, crusty lesions (these tend to be seen in chronic cases of chin acne cat)

Lesions may appear on the chin, upper lip and lower lip. The lips and chin can become very swollen and inflamed. In more severe cases, cat acne can also lead to hair loss, redness, and bleeding.

Causes of chin acne in cats 

Cats are (famously) creatures of cleanliness, so what causes their cat acne on chin? Well, while there isn't a whole load of research on the topic, it's generally thought to be an excess of sebum production in the sebaceous glands. While sebum production is needed to keep the skin and fur healthy, if production is excessive, it can cause the hair follicles to become blocked. That said, there are some other common causes to consider. These include: 

Plastic food and water dishes

Plastic bowls can harbor bacteria in the tiny cracks that form over time, and despite your best cleaning efforts, can lead to irritated skin and feline acne. If you’re currently using plastic food bowls, consider switching to a glass or stainless steel one instead. 

Grooming habits

If your kitty's grooming regime isn't up to scratch, it can lead to an accumulation of oil in the hair follicles - this tends to be more common in senior felines. Poor self-grooming habits can also signal an underlying health condition, so if in doubt, be sure to contact your vet for advice. 

Stress

Things such as moving home with your cat or welcoming a new furry friend to your family can all be a source of stress for your kitty. 

Sensitivity or allergies

Being sensitive to certain foods or materials (such as plastic), hormone imbalances, or a poor immune system can all be a cause of feline acne.

Viral infections and immunosupression can also trigger or contribute to the development of feline acne. 

It can be hard to pinpoint exactly what’s causing your feline’s acne woes. While it’s easiest to start by making some lifestyle changes (such as swapping plastic bowls for glass, ceramic, or stainless steel), if your cat’s acne is causing them distress, it’s best to get it looked at by your vet. 

How does a vet diagnose cat chin acne? 

Typically, your vet will look at your kitty's medical history along with any clinical symptoms they're displaying. In some cases, medical tests (such as blood or urine analysis) may be required. In cases of unusual-looking lesions or spots, a skin biopsy or scraping may be recommended to rule out any other potential skin conditions and to check for abnormal cells. Dental X-rays might also be taken to check for any underlying dental problems.

Cat chin mites vs acne 

Is it cat acne under chin, or could it be a mite infestation? While some cats might not show any symptoms of mites, they can sometimes show symptoms such as scabbing, bumps, or red and itchy skin - which can often be confused with cat acne. While some mites can be seen with the naked eye, this isn’t the case for all mites. To make matters even trickier, mites can sometimes exacerbate (or be found alongside) cases of feline chin acne. As such, it can be hard to self-diagnose, so it’s best to consult with your vet in case of any doubt. 

Cat chin acne treatment 

The good news? In some cats, the acne will clear up on its own - in others, some simple lifestyle changes (such as swapping out your plastic food bowls) may be enough to help clear up your feline friend’s acne afflictions. Hurrah!

However, in cases where it doesn't - or to avoid a bout of severe acne - there are a few lines of treatment to take when it comes to how to get rid of cat chin acne. 

Improved hygiene practices 

Using an antibacterial wash to clean the area for a few days can help to clear up feline acne. Many of these can be bought over-the-counter, just make sure to check it’s suitable for cats and if in doubt, check with your veterinarian. 

Topical treatments

Following diagnosis, your vet may prescribe a benzoyl peroxide solution to cleanse the area and flush out the hair follicles. Medicated shampoos, antiseborrheic wipes, and/or ointments can also be effective and may be recommended by your vet.

Omega 3

Fatty acids (such as an omega-3 supplement) can also help to clear up your cat’s breakout while maintaining good skin health. 

Severe cases of cat acne

Antibiotics, steroids, and/or anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed by your vet in more severe cases to help clear up the infection and reduce redness and inflammation. Chronically or severely affected cats may benefit from a preventive treatment plan, which can be discussed with your veterinarian. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

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