a cat with pimples?

Question

Hi,
my cat gets "pimples" once in a while, little red spots on her chin where the hair falls out. it LOOKS like it would hurt but doesn't seem to bother her at all. then, after about a week, the redness goes away and the hair starts to grow back. it doesn't happen very often and always happens on the bottom of her mouth - her "chin".
is this bad? is there anything I can do to prevent this or heal it once it has started? or should I just not worry about it?
she is about 13 so maybe it's just an old age thing or something...?
thanks!

thanks everyone! I do use plastic bowls for her food/ water so that could definately be the cause. I will change to metal!

Answer 1

It is called kitty acne.

Anyone who has wrestled with adolescent acne will remember how difficult it can be to eradicate. Cats are often afflicted with a similar condition, called "feline acne" or, more commonly, "chin acne" or "kitty acne". Like acne in humans, its causes can vary, including food allergies, contact allergies, and (some experts believe), stress.

Plastic food dishes have long been suspected as a culprit in chin acne. Plastic is a magnet for bacteria and dirt that work their way into scratches and nicks, reinfecting your cat and/or spreading bacteria to other cats in the household. Veterinarians and other feline experts recommend using only glass or metal food bowls, and daily washing of those, in order to help prevent this common condition.

Stress-related acne can be treated by finding the causes of the stress and eliminating or ameliorating them, if possible. Emotionally cause stress may be relieved by medication, flower essences, or pherome-based products, such as Feliway.

Environmentally caused stress might be solved by doing whatever possible to change the environment (move the furniture back that you just moved, or back off and gradually re-introduce that new cat or dog.)
Feline acne starts as small, oily black plugs in the chin, much like blackheads, which may progress to red, itchy bumps, which may become infected. Treatment varies, but most veterinarians will recommend daily cleaning with an antibiotic soap, followed by a topical ointment, either antibiotic, or anti-fungal. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed, as well as a scrub with hydrogen peroxide.

Severe cases of feline acne may be difficult to eradicate, so you'll want to take your cat to the veterinarian at the first sign of black spots on the chin. Although cats are not embarrassed by acne, as humans are, the condition is still potentially serious, and not to be ignored.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I would guess that it is just an ingrown hair folicle (that humans and animals can get), and that it just has tried to grow in incorrectly. (this will fix itself).
Do not try to use any "people" creams or remedies without first checking with your vet if it can be used on your cat. They are different sizes, and the same dose to them could be a serious reaction.
Good luck.
If your cat doesn't seem to mind it, it probably is nothing serious, but a quick phone call to your vet will put your mind at ease.
:-)

Answer 4

Sometimes this is caused by bacteria in the food and water bowls. If you have plastic bowls, switch to metal or ceramic.

Answer 5

Its called feline acne. And it always appears on a cta's chin. Have it treated by the vet. I understand it is a fairly simple treatment.

Answer 6

Never heard of it but dont worry it would get better soon just use cat acne wash it may per a lot but its okay

Answer 7

Its feline acne.....keep it clean, use stridex pads, and do this every day. It works for my cat. Yes , do change bowls to ceramic, glass or metal. Good luck

Answer 8

why couldnt cats get pimples too? i dont think proactive will work, but im sure a vet would know some meds to give her.

Answer 9

We use to have a cat who had acne and we would clean it and put polysporin to keep clean n clear it up faster.

Answer 10

well she is a teenager.. he he. why not take her to a vet--- or buy her some proactive--- it's probably tested on animals anyways.