Feline Acne

Acne in teenagers might be a common issue and we all faced those stubborn pimples atleast once in our life as well. Believe me or not, acne in cats is also a thing and it’s not a teen-aged cat disease either. It can happen at any age, in any breed and gender. Unlike humans, feline acne is a serious skin disorder as bacterial infection generally grows in it, making the acne feel very itchy, painful and hair loss as well.

Let’s Define Feline Acne

Generally occurs around cat’s chin, eyelids and lips, acne in cats appear first as small blackheads, growing into pimples that finally may evolve into whiteheads or burst out. If you will pay close attention, you will notice different varieties of acne ranging from small, red or discolored bulgy bumps to large crusty discharge. Keep a check on your cat’s activities if she scratches her chin more often. Advance level of feline acne may lead to hair loss around the infected area and can be quite painful as well.

What causes acne in cats?

Plastic Food Bowls

Plastic food bowls are considered to be the common factor of feline acne as bacterial level found in plastic bowls are very high due to their poor build quality. Switching to ceramic and high-quality stainless steel food bowls can be helpful. To know more about Pet Food Bowl Safety, please visit this link.

Poor Grooming Techniques

The cat’s skin surface is generally more delicate than other pets especially the chin portion. Due to excessive rubbing around the chin, it can be painful for senior or adult cats which may lead to the production of acne.

Sebaceous Glands and Stress

These two terms are connected to each other. Stress activates the ejection of adrenaline and cortisol which initiate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Sebum is a greasy substance which is largely present around the chin, lips, scrotum and responsible for originating acne in cats.

Allergies

Allergies are generally of two types:

1. Food Allergies ( allergic to specific food items such as eggs, seafood, wheat, poultry, and soy)
2. Chemical Specific Allergies (allergic to certain chemicals in shampoos or household cleaners developing acne)

 

Treatment

Treatment of acne in cats depends on the gravity of the situation. For controlled feline acne, we are giving you tips to cure such skin diseases. If the infected area contains serious inflammation and pain, it is highly recommended to visit your veterinarian for further assistance.

• Clean the infected area daily (with Betadine, an ointment or gel containing benzoyl peroxide, Salicylic acid or diluted chlorhexidine)
• Change in Diet (reduce the number of grains, poultry products, and sea-food in daily diet)
• Intake Omega fatty acids ( reduce inflammation)
• Aloe Vera Gel ( helps in reducing the inflammation, speeds up the healing process and soothes the skin)
• Avoid using Plastic Food Bowls ( replace them with high-quality stainless steel or ceramic food bowls)

 

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