Have you ever looked at the fur on your cat’s chin and noticed little black dots or tiny flecks of dirt? Have you noticed the skin on your cat’s chin losing fur, developing black heads, or appearing irritated? Then it’s time to discuss Chin Acne!
Chin acne in cats has no relation to acne in people. It’s a poorly understood but common condition where the skin on the chin overproduces a protein called keratin. Keratin builds up on the skin, in pores, and on the fur. In turn, bacteria that feed on keratin begin to proliferate. Soon small black dots that are made up of keratin, bacteria, and body oil begin to appear.
Chin Acne does not usually cause significant problems. It progresses slowly and is usually easily managed at home. The concern presented by Chin Acne is that an abundance of bacteria in the area will cause a secondary skin infection, in which case an antibiotic from your veterinarian is often needed for the chin to heal properly. If you notice the skin on the chin appears red, inflamed, or scabby, speak with your veterinarian on how best to treat.
If you notice little black dots on your cat’s chin, it is best to clean the chin 1x/day. There are many over-the-counter products to choose from for cleaning and treating the chin. Vetericyn Facial Therapy is a great choice for at home use because it disinfects, soothes, and promotes healing.
Why do cats get chin acne in the first place? The short answer is nobody knows. It is generally thought that stagnant water, dirty water bowls, and porous surfaces like plastics promote Chin Acne. Bacteria proliferate in standing water, in dirty water bowls, and on the surface of porous plastics. To prevent Chin Acne, consider switching from plastic bowls to stainless steel bowls. Wash bowls daily and change drinking water daily. Consider switching from a water bowl to a water fountain with proper filtration. If your cat rubs their face or head on surfaces like plastic trash cans, consider switching to a metal trash can or placing the plastic trash bin someplace inaccessible to your cat.
Remember, chin acne is not usually serious, but does need to be treated to ensure that the chin tissue remains healthy.