Acne. One of those tough parts of our teenage years (and maybe longer). Did you know that cats get acne, too. Yep, but it’s not the same as it is for us. Some cats are more affected than others, just like their human counterparts. For some it’s genetic, and for some it’s due to a contact allergy. Let’s find out more!
So, you won’t notice your cat’s acne simply by looking at him or her face-on. They don’t get the tell tale red bumps on their face like we do. No, you have to look a little closer. In fact, you have to tip them over to find it usually. See, cats get acne under their chin. Little black dots that may cover the whole chin, half the chin, or some may develop a red bump that becomes infected.
Why do these form? Well, genetically some cats are more prone to "clogged pores" leading to acne. Others will get it as the response to a contact irritant. Did you know that many cats are allergic to plastic? Plastic food or water bowls, toys, bags, etc, can all be the cause. Symptoms of a plastic allergy may show up as these little block dots on your cat’s chin, or you may also notice them rubbing their chin more on surfaces or scratching at their chin more out of discomfort.
The protein in your cat’s food could also be the culprit. Food allergies can present in a variety of forms, but skin irritation or infection is a big symptom.
Changing the protein, not the grain, can help tremendously for some cats. Check out the ingredient list on the bag of the cat food. If the primary protein in your cat’s food is chicken, slowly (over a few weeks), convert them to a fish-based diet, or vice versa.
Be careful, though, some pet foods are sneaky. They may say that the protein is fish, but chicken meal may also be listed in the ingredients. Some cats a very sensitive to a variety of proteins and need more of a NOVEL (new, not common) diet. These cats often do well on a Rabbit-based diet. Royal Canin makes a great hypoallergenic diet for cats in a variety of flavors, with Rabbit being one of them.
So, you won’t notice your cat’s acne simply by looking at him or her face-on. They don’t get the tell tale red bumps on their face like we do. No, you have to look a little closer. In fact, you have to tip them over to find it usually. See, cats get acne under their chin. Little black dots that may cover the whole chin, half the chin, or some may develop a red bump that becomes infected.
Why do these form? Well, genetically some cats are more prone to "clogged pores" leading to acne. Others will get it as the response to a contact irritant. Did you know that many cats are allergic to plastic? Plastic food or water bowls, toys, bags, etc, can all be the cause. Symptoms of a plastic allergy may show up as these little block dots on your cat’s chin, or you may also notice them rubbing their chin more on surfaces or scratching at their chin more out of discomfort.
The protein in your cat’s food could also be the culprit. Food allergies can present in a variety of forms, but skin irritation or infection is a big symptom.
Changing the protein, not the grain, can help tremendously for some cats. Check out the ingredient list on the bag of the cat food. If the primary protein in your cat’s food is chicken, slowly (over a few weeks), convert them to a fish-based diet, or vice versa.
Be careful, though, some pet foods are sneaky. They may say that the protein is fish, but chicken meal may also be listed in the ingredients. Some cats a very sensitive to a variety of proteins and need more of a NOVEL (new, not common) diet. These cats often do well on a Rabbit-based diet. Royal Canin makes a great hypoallergenic diet for cats in a variety of flavors, with Rabbit being one of them.
What can you do? Just like with humans, do not pop them! This can drive the material further under the skin, leading to infection. A warm (not hot) compress can help open the pores and allow the material to exit the pores better. Also, GENTLE scratching with a fingernail can help release the black debris as well. 
If your cat’s chin looks red, irritated, or infected in any way, the first step is to schedule an exam with your Veterinarian. Sometimes all your cat will need is a topical medication applied once or twice daily. Mupirocin topical ointment is one of my favorites. It helps to flush out the follicle and has an antibiotic that works well against many Staph species of bacteria. Other times, if it looks like the area is infected, your Veterinarian may prescribe an oral or injectable antibiotic for a week or so, along with warm compresses on the area.
In addition, I recommend changing the food and water bowl to stainless steel or ceramic. These tend to be much less irritating to cats. Also, cleaning the bowls well at least weekly will help remove surface bacteria that may accumulate from the cats mouth or skin as they rub on the bowl while they are eating.
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