Cat acne is found almost exclusively on the chin and lower lip of your cat, where the hair follicles become plugged with a greasy material called sebum.
Some cats may only have a single case of acne while others have a life-long, recurring problem.
Acne in cats can be caused by poor grooming habits or abnormalities in your cat’s skin, oil production or immune-barrier function. It can also be caused by excessive grooming where the chin is repeatedly rubbed on the fur.
Feline acne almost always affects the chin, and occasionally the lower or upper lip – not the nose. It happens when the sebaceous glands under a cat’s chin produce too much oily secretion (sebum), which becomes trapped in a hair follicle and forms a blackhead. If a blackhead becomes infected, it can develop into a pustule, and in more severe cases, several affected follicles can lead to a swollen, sore chin. Contributing factors can include plastic food or water bowls, an underlying allergy, stress, poor grooming, or food residue left on the chin after eating.
Early signs include small flecks of black, greasy material under the chin, which owners sometimes mistake for dirt or flea dirt, along with blackheads or small pimples on the chin or lips. If left for a few weeks, the affected skin can become red, thickened, and even crusty to the touch – but this crusting is specific to the chin and lip area. If your cat has a crusty or black nose rather than a crusty chin, it’s unlikely to be acne. More common causes of nose crusting include dried nasal discharge from a cold-like infection, dried dirt from exploring outdoors, dry or cracked skin, an allergic reaction, or sunburn – the last of which is a particular risk for white or pale-nosed cats and should always be checked by a vet. A large area of scabbing on the nose, especially in white cats, can also be an early sign of a type of skin cancer, so this should always be checked by a vet too.
If the crust is new, doesn’t wipe away easily, comes with sneezing or eye discharge (which can point to cat flu), or your cat seems unwell, book a vet appointment so the cause can be properly diagnosed.
Some cats may only have a single case of acne while others have a life-long, recurring problem.
Acne in cats can be caused by poor grooming habits or abnormalities in your cat’s skin, oil production or immune-barrier function. It can also be caused by excessive grooming where the chin is repeatedly rubbed on the fur.
Symptoms of acne can include blackheads or whiteheads, mild red pimples, watery crusts that can develop on the chin and (less commonly) lips, and swelling of your cat’s chin.
In more severe cases, your cat may develop nodules, bleeding crusts, pustules, hair loss, a severe redness of the skin and be in pain, which can indicate boils.
Your vet may perform skin scraping to look for mites and fungal infected hairs or take a fungal culture. A microscopic examination of the cells and a biopsy is rarely needed but is sometimes necessary.
The treatment consists of regular cleaning of the infected area with an antiseptic cleanser, plus antibiotics and topical shampoos. This should help to clear the acne.
If the outbreaks of acne reduce as a result of this treatment, gradually reduce it over a two-to three-week period. If the acne is continual throughout the treatment or reoccurs frequently, your vet will give you a regular cleaning schedule. Life-long treatment, twice a week, is sometimes necessary.
If there is a bacterial infection on the skin, your vet will prescribe oral antibiotics. It’s a good idea to discuss costs with your vet before starting any treatment.
Treatment focuses on removing the excess sebum causing the blockage. Your vet may recommend an antibacterial wash such as chlorhexidine, and in more severe cases, a course of oral antibiotics.
An omega-3 fatty acid supplement can also help support your cat’s skin barrier.
Most cases improve with better hygiene alone: gently wiping your cat’s chin with a warm, damp cloth can help between vet visits, but never use human soap, alcohol wipes, or other harsh cleaners on your cat’s face.
Switching from plastic food and water bowls to stainless steel, ceramic, or glass can also help, as plastic is more prone to harbouring bacteria.
Never squeeze or express the blackheads or pimples yourself – this is painful for your cat and can spread the infection. This routine is for general chin hygiene and mild cat acne only. It isn’t a way to manage crusting elsewhere, such as on the nose, without a vet first checking what’s causing it.
Close-up of a cat’s chin showing cat acne while eating from a bowl.
After the treatment is discontinued, monitor your cat for relapses. Maintenance cleansing programs can also be used to extend the time between episodes of acne.
Make sure you review the clinical history of your new cat and ask for more details on how the condition has been treated. You’ll need to sign a disclaimer to confirm you’ve been made aware of the condition. Any cat who’s had treatment is likely to have pet insurance exclusions, so it’s worth discussing potential on-going costs with your vet.
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