This Weird Little Cat Problem Is More Common Than You Think

Wait, Cats Can Get Acne? Yep, and It’s More Common Than You Think

If you’ve ever noticed little black specks on your cat’s chin and thought, “Is that dirt?” or “Did they somehow get into something weird?” or "Do we have a flee problem?" there’s actually a decent chance it could actually be cat acne.

It's funny how I found out but yes, cat acne is a real thing. For the Fourth of July weekend I decided to go home and I got a text from the lady watching my cats saying that one of my cats turned on the faucet to the kitchen sink and my counter is soaked. After all the water was cleaned up I started thinking "Penny rubs her face on the sink handle a lot I wonder why?" I then noticed her chin and why she keeps rubbing it on the handle of the sink, and while it might sound kind of funny at first, it’s actually a pretty common skin issue in cats.

Canva

So What Exactly is Cat Acne?

Cat acne usually shows up on the chin and sometimes around the lips. It can look like tiny black dots, almost like blackheads, or in more irritated cases, red bumps, swelling, scabbing, or even little pustules.

In mild cases, it may not seem to bother your cat at all. In more severe cases, though, it can get irritated, inflamed, and uncomfortable.

Why do Cats Get it?

There isn’t always one clear reason, but veterinarians say cat acne can be linked to a few things, including:

• Overactive oil production
• Hair follicles getting clogged
• Stress
• Allergies or skin irritation
• Poor grooming in that area
• Bacteria buildup
• Plastic food and water bowls, which can trap bacteria and irritate the skin

That last one is a big one. If your cat eats or drinks out of plastic bowls, switching to stainless steel, ceramic, or glass may help cut down on irritation and bacteria.

Getty Images

What Does it Look Like?

Cat acne can range from barely noticeable to pretty irritated. Some common signs include:

• Black specks on the chin
• Crusty or dirty-looking skin under the mouth
• Redness or swelling
• Hair loss on the chin
• Pimples or bumps
• Sensitivity when you touch the area
• Or in my case, when your counter is wet because your cat accidentally turned out the faucet by scratching her chin on the sink.

If it gets infected, it can look more inflamed and may even seem painful.

Can you treat it at home?

If it looks mild, there are a few simple things cat owners can do:

Canva

Swap out Plastic Bowls

Try stainless steel, glass, or ceramic bowls instead, and wash them regularly.

Keep the Area Clean

Your vet may recommend gently wiping the area with a pet-safe antiseptic solution or medicated wipe, but it’s important not to just grab random human skincare products and start experimenting on your cat’s face.

Watch for Changes

If the chin starts looking red, swollen, painful, or starts oozing, it’s time to call the vet.

What NOT to do

This is the big one: do not pop it like a human pimple.

Also, don’t use acne creams, benzoyl peroxide products, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, or other home remedies unless your veterinarian specifically tells you to. A cat’s skin is sensitive, and some ingredients that are common in human skincare can make things worse or even be toxic.

Canva

When Should You See a Vet?

It’s a good idea to have your cat checked out if:

• The acne looks painful or infected
• The area is swollen, bleeding, or oozing
• Your cat keeps scratching at it
• It’s getting worse instead of better
• It keeps coming back

A vet can make sure it’s actually acne and not something else like mites, ringworm, allergies, or another skin condition. Depending on how bad it is, treatment could include medicated wipes, topical treatment, antibiotics, or a plan to prevent flare-ups.

The Good News

The good news is that cat acne is usually manageable, and in a lot of cases, it’s more annoying than dangerous. With a few changes at home and a vet visit if it gets irritated, most cats do just fine.

So if your cat’s chin suddenly looks a little crusty or peppered with tiny black dots, don’t panic. It might just be feline acne, which somehow feels unfair because cats are already dramatic enough without having to deal with breakouts too.

Get our free mobile app