How to Spot the Signs of Feline Acne

Feline acne, also commonly known as “kitty acne” or “chin acne” is an affliction that some cats suffer from. As with human acne, feline acne is caused by a variety of environmental factors such as allergies, bacterial infections and even stress. If you suspect that your beloved kitty has feline acne, there are some simple ways to check your cat for this condition.

Grooming

Regular grooming allows cat owners time to relax and bond with their cats. But it offers more than simple one-to-one contact with cat owners and their cats. Use the time you spend grooming your cat’s fur to check its body for signs of feline acne, paying particular attention to the chin area, where feline acne is most visible. According to Franny Syufy, who writes for About.com, feline acne starts off as small black plugs in the chin, which can then turn into itchy bumps if the affected area becomes infected. Keep in mind that if you have a dark coloured longhair cat, that it will be harder to notice the presence of feline acne than if you have a lighter coloured shorthair cat. So be extra vigilant when checking your cat for signs of feline acne.

Excessive Scratching

Has your cat started scratching excessively lately for no apparent reason? The first thing many cat owners think of is fleas. A flea infestation could well be the root cause of your cat’s uncontrollable scratching and should be ruled out before you purchase flea treatment. The best way to rule out the possibility of fleas is to use a clean fine toothed comb to brush back the fur and check for evidence of fleas. If after several brushes, there is no flea dirt or evidence of live fleas, the presence of fleas can be ruled out. But if you find small black specks (with no parasites in sight) in or around the cat’s chin, this is a sure sign of feline acne.

Feline acne is not a condition that cats will complain about; nor will it be blatantly obvious that your cat has this condition. But, feline acne can be a cause for alarm if it is left untreated and the affected area of the cat’s chin becomes infected. Check your cat’s fur regularly during grooming sessions and investigate every instance of excessive scratching, as this could indicate the presence of feline acne, rather than fleas.