What is this black stuff under my cats chin?

Question

There is little black things under my cats chin. It looks like flea poop or something. Its making his skin turn red. What is this, and how do I get rid of it?

Answer 1

Sounds like cat acne. If they rub their chin on their food bowl it can clog the pores and make blackheads and irritate the skin around it.

You can feed from bowls that are glass, metal or ceramic - cats seem to get acne when using bowls made of plastic. Or you can feed them off a plate so that their chins won't be rubbing against anything when they eat.

Use a slightly soapy washcloth on their chin and rinse with a wet washcloth to get all the soap off. Do the rinse several times. But don't scrub, you'll make the skin more red if you do. Cats can't clean under their chin because their tongues don't reach that far, and most don't figure out how to rub it with a wet paw.

Flea poop doesn't usually show up under the chin, so I'm pretty sure it's not fleas. Your description matches acne all the way.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You are doing a good job of describing feline acne. It is a bacterial infection, and if your cats have plastic bowls, bacteria gather on the edge of the bowl, and as they eat, their chin contacts the bacteria. Switching to ceramic or metal will often stop the feline acne formation. Using a Stridex pad often helps heal and kills the bacteria, once you have changed bowls.

Answer 4

It sounds like feline acne, which is fairly common. You need to see your vet about getting some antibiotics to treat it. In the meantime, wash your cat's food bowl regularly. Accumulated crud in the bowl isn't helping him any, and that could be how he got it in the first place.

Answer 5

Yes, it sounds like Feline Acne. My cat had it (get's it again from time to time). Ask your vet, but a simple topical ointment he gives you will take care of it.

Answer 6

Call the vet and ask right away. It might be just an allergie, or something serious. Best call the vet.