Acne In Cats

Yes, acne in cats is a reality, not a myth. Most of the times, when we think of acne, human beings especially teenagers come to our mind. We do not imagine that our lovely pets can get acne like us. Cats and dogs both get acne, but their age is not specific. They can get acne at any age and any time. Most of the time acne in cats does not annoy our pets. However, feline acne is not so common; it starts at around a year old and has a tendency to show up and disappear.

How to recognize acne in cats?

Acne in cats and dogs appear as the small red bumps and blackheads localized around the lips and chin. Sometimes, these spots look like dirt particles and other times, may lead to swollen, red, pustules, that may cause bleeding and irritation. Chin of cat becomes lumpy with "pimples" and cat rubs chin against the wall or any hard object. But, it is always recommended that one should go to veterinarian to make sure that the problem is not more serious than a few zits or pimples.

Causes of acne in cats:

There are many factors that lead to the production of pimples in cats.

1.  Over-secretion of sebaceous glands or oil glands:

Acne in cats appears when oil glands in animals are over-active and produce oil in excess. This is what causes acne in humans as well.

2.  Use of plastic food bowls:

This is one of the most common causes of acne in cats. Plastic is porous and has high tendency to provide safe haven for bacteria to grow. When a cat comes in contact with this plastic bowl, bacteria are transferred to cat’s chin and an infection results.

3.  Frequent use of dry cat food:

Dry cat food is another major reason of stimulating acne in cats. Try to avoid feeding dry food to your cats.

4.  Stress:

Hormonal disturbances during the phase of frustration and anxiety cause pimples in cats.

5.  Poor grooming habits:

Poor groomed cats have more chances to get itchiness, allergies, inflammatory diseases, fleas or other skin parasites, and bacterial or fungal infections. Hence, cats should be groomed well to stay healthy.

How to prevent acne in cats:

Solutions are very simple if you want to prevent acne in your lovely cats.

• Switch to glass or ceramic food bowls.
• Feed on a flat plate.
• All the food utensils should be washed immediately after use and before the use in hot, soapy water or dishwasher.
• Disposable plates are good options.
• Give your pet stress-free life.
• Investigate food allergies in your cats.

It is not that difficult to get rid of acne in cats. There is just need of proper guidance and your cat will always stay healthy.