Like humans, cats too are affected by acne. “Feline acne” is what people call the acne of cats. It is generally a common disorder of the cats which also forms blackheads or comedones on the lower lip of the cat, face and chin. Acne is onset by the over activity of enlarged sebaceous glands around the cat’s face. These glands are in the influence of hormones and the jaw marking pheromone producers that cats use to mark their region by means of bunting.

Specifically, the facial sebaceous glands of the cat get activated when they rub their face against various household objects i.e, marking. This oily secretion that helps to waterproof a cat’s coat and guard the elasticity of their skin.

However, there are lots of cats whose sebaceous glands overproduce these oily secretions. These oily secretions then produce a greasy layer on the fur of the cat and its skin which results in a feline acne. One can observe feline acne in on pale or white colored cats i.e. a yellow and greasy discoloration on cats. Several studies have shown that in the minor cases of feline acne, the follicles around the mouth and chin may get clogged with a black sebaceous material which results in onset of the blackheads. Later on another secondary infection may come up, i.e. the inflammation of hair follicles and formation of pustules and papules from which pus is excreted. And in the major cases of acne, the area may become inflamed, cystic, swollen or scarred. For example, a symmetrical design of waxy black material may be produced by the affected Persians on the hairs of the chin and face, which indicates severe acne.

There is no age limit for feline acne in cats. It can affect at any stage and trouble the life of the cat. Sometimes severe acne can easily develop and almost gets difficult to get rid of it. For such cases, some treatments were developed for feline acne. Some of them greatly vary in forms. In the general cases of feline acne, using an antibiotic soap, human acne pads or benzyl peroxide can help in clearing the infection. Oral antibiotics are also helpful in some severe cases of feline acne. Some experts also suggest feeding the cat in ceramic or metal dishes and not in plastics. Plastics are thought as the breeding ground of the bacteria. Feline dishes can be limited by washing the dishes on regular basis, and wiping the cats face time to time and after the meal. But still the best way to prevent and get rid of feline acne is to visit a veterinarian when you first see the sign of black spots in the chin. This is a chronic condition and shouldn’t be ignored.

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