My 1 year old tortoise shell cat is always getting a dirty chin. (Her chin is white, so it is very noticeable) - she is an inside cat. It seems to be particles of dirt or food creating a very dirty patch under her chin. any ideas why? or suggestions to help stop this?
2007-03-12 17:36:33 · 10 answers · asked by Ali 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
We have a cat who has the same thing. I thought it was a sore coming or fleas and it could have been either but I asked the vet at her check up and the vet said she just doesn't wash her face well. I watched and she doesn't. She gets food on it as she eats and the food plus saliva makes dirt. With her it doesn't matter what she eats from paper plate, styrofoam, plastic, metal or even a glass bowl like a baby she gets food on her chin, She's sort of a sloppy eater whom likes to take her food out of the dish. She isn't thrilled for me to clean it gently with a wash cloth or damp paper towel but will tolerate that if I insist. She is a little more content for me to gently come it out. She likes to be combed and knows that this is part of it. Use a very gentle plastic comb if you try this and stop if your cat dislikes it. This isn't an emergency but if you are sure she does not have fleas and she doesn't seem to have a sore or bumps there and changing her dish doesn't clear it up it's something to ask the vet about when she has her check up and shots. Don't be insulted if she reacts like my vet did and grins and says the medical term for this is "she has a dirty face".
2007-03-12 19:23:51 · answer #1 · answered by A F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be from the bowl if its plastic, it can irritate the skin greatly. Check the cat's teeth, if the teeth are having a problem and the cat is drooling, it could cause stains or things to stick a lot.
Try some eye wipes to keep it clean, or warm water and a clean cloth. If you change the bowl and it persists or you find it is stained and not coming off, check with your vet.
If your cat is a tortoise shell, she can not have a white chin. White is not a toroise shell colour.
2007-03-12 18:41:39 · answer #2 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like feline acne, from eating in plastic bowls that hold bacteria or excessive grooming or stress or diet change or sometimes for no reason at all.
You can use benzole perioxide like Oxy wash or Clearcil pads to keep clean. You can also use Neosporin. If gets real bad and begins to bleed the vet can give you an ointment or oral antibiotics
Sometimes this condition can go away with little or no treatment at all.
2007-03-12 18:14:46 · answer #3 · answered by KittyCondos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be cat acne, cat's chins can accumulate oil and get pimples like us!! If it is not that is could be that they are scratching or rubbing their chin on the floor for fun or for an itch or irritation.
2007-03-12 20:31:47 · answer #4 · answered by Shewy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had a white cat who had this. It's just the cat being lazy. And it is food particles. We always tried to get ours to clean, but he wouldn't. So we did it ourselves, just kind of brushed it out when it was dry, then made the cat mad on purpose by scrubbing it strongly with a warm damp cloth -- hopefully for him to catch on that HE needs to clean it. I know it's frustrating, but I don't know how easily to change this behaviour.
2007-03-13 04:40:17 · answer #5 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your cat may have fleas,the "Dirt" on her chin could very well be fleas or flea poop. Is she scratching at her chin a lot, do you see little specks that hop around? If so, than your kitty has fleas.
2007-03-12 17:46:47 · answer #6 · answered by Future Top Chef 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh wow my cat is a tortoise shell and she had the same problem! we were worried so we asked a lady that worked in the pet shop she didnt know so we left it for a while and she just stop. So if i were you i wouldnt worry about a thing, she should stop soon. good luck
ps.i wonder why they do that lol
2007-03-12 17:42:11 · answer #7 · answered by cutie pie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's crusty, it may be feline acne. If so, try washing her chin in a benzoyl peroxide solution.
2007-03-13 00:59:32 · answer #8 · answered by st_mel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is difficult for her to clean that area you might help her out or she will get kitty acne and you will have to take her to the vet and get it drained. It will be filled with pus
2007-03-12 18:04:32 · answer #9 · answered by katie d 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow!! Well we have the same problem!!! Well i think it is normal but i am wondering why. I dont think it is a problem at all unless the vet says so.
2007-03-13 12:33:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋