Mary Allen
Acne is not a purely human condition. Your fluffy friend can also be affected. So you can recognize and treat the disease.
Although fur covers the skin of most cat breeds, they can be affected by a condition called feline acne. Most cases of this disease are so mild that they go unnoticed. However, there are more severe cases that are unsightly and easy to notice. These cases may be a bit more difficult to treat.
What is cat acne?
A cat’s skin contains a variety of glands, such as sweat glands and sebaceous glands. Most of the sebaceous glands are connected to the hair follicles and produce sebum, an oily secretion that waterproofs the hair and keeps the skin smooth. A collection of larger oil glands are found on your cat’s lips, eyelids and chin, at the base of the tail, scrotum, and foreskin.
The oily secretion of these large glands is important for the cat’s scent marking as it rubs the chin, lips, temple area, and base of the tail on objects and favorite people.
Feline acne is caused by over-activity of the glands on the chin, causing excessive oiliness of the skin and overlying fur. In light-coated cats, this can show up as a yellow and greasy discoloration, occasionally with black spots.
The condition is caused by excessive sebum and keratin production by the hair follicles. These follicles become clogged with black sebum and form comedones, or “blackheads,” which can lead to bacterial infection and inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis). In severe cases, a skin infection (pyoderma) can develop, which can cause swelling, inflammation, and discomfort in your cat.
How is cat acne treated?
A veterinarian has several options for treating feline acne. The earlier you recognize the disease, the better. Treating feline acne involves removing excess sebum to prevent comedones and secondary infections from forming.
To do this, use an antibacterial wash lotion once or twice a day. In mild cases, this is the only necessary treatment, but in severe cases, antibiotic therapy or additional treatment for fungal infections is required.
Studies have reported that using ceramic or metal bowls instead of plastic bowls can help. Helping your cat keep its chin clean may also reduce the problem.