Cat Acne Is Real. Here’s How to Help Your Little Bud

What is cat acne?  

Cat acne is exactly what it sounds like: swelling caused by clogged cat hair follicles, similar to clogged pores in humans. Dr. Preston Turano, DVM, a licensed vet and advisor for Felix Cat Insurance, tells us these clogs can happen when the hair follicles produce too much keratin, the protein that makes up hair, skin and nails. You’ll be able to tell if it’s cat acne, or feline acne, if you see red bumps, red swelling, pustules or blackheads on the chin or upper lips.  

“Other causes may need to be ruled out,” Dr. Turano says. Think: allergies to food, mange, mites, skin tumors (which are very rare) and eosinophilic granuloma complex (an allergic response to bug bites that produces large bumps or oozing masses, according to Cornell University’s Feline Health Center). “[Cat acne] can happen to males and females, any breed and at any age,” Dr. Turano says.

Is cat acne the same as chin mites?  

No, cat acne is not the same as chin mites. PangoVet, a veterinary telehealth platform, says chin mites are just tiny bugs that have taken up residence on a cat’s chin, but could be found on other parts of a cat’s body. A vet will be able to diagnose cat acne versus chin mites, but if your cat is scratching multiple areas excessively (especially the ears) or develops dry patches and inflammation beyond the chin, it may be mites.  

What are the treatments for cat acne? 

When our vet initially diagnosed our cat Foxy with feline acne, she recommended we make sure to serve meals and water in stainless steel bowls. This is because plastic harbors more bacteria than stainless steel. Dr. Turano says materials like glass and ceramic may also help resolve cat acne. 

However, Foxy’s acne returned, so we had to put her on a liquid antibiotic. Luckily, this cleared up her cat acne and got rid of the swelling, but Dr. Turano says that in some cases, wipes, ointments or shampoos can help clear it up. If the cat acne is severe, you may need to use medicated shampoos or even have the vet shave the chin to do a deep clean.  

How can I prevent cat acne? 

Beyond making sure your cat’s bowls aren’t made of plastic, Dr. Turano says you’ve got to wash their bowls regularly. Don’t give your cat a bath unless otherwise instructed (they groom themselves and don’t really need baths unless they get into something). “Other [cats] may require maintenance cleaning using topical wipes or shampoos,” Dr. Turano adds. “Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about appropriate wipes and shampoos for your cat and do not use human products, as they can be harmful.” 

Could cat acne signal a larger health issue? 

Cat acne alone doesn’t typically mean your cat is suffering from other internal illnesses. VCA Animal Hospitals says there’s still some uncertainty around what causes the extra keratin that leads to cat acne, so it’s possible that stress, immune issues or a virus could be the culprit. More often than not, the remedies we mentioned above will help clear things up.  

When in doubt, Dr. Turano says you should go see the vet. “They will be your best source to determine whether it’s truly feline acne or another skin issue.” 

Happy to report that Foxy has been acne-free for seven years now!