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26 May Feline Acne? Yes, It Is Real!
This may sound like a joke but cats can get acne just like humans. It is not just a problem experienced by teenagers. It is a glandular issue that is affected when the glands become over active. Feline acne occurs when an excess of a substance called sebum is excreted from the sebaceous glands of the face and chin.
Yes, this will cause pimples and blackheads to form on your cats face and chin. It appears just as human acne does. If your cat has oily skin then they become prone to feline acne more so than cats with non oily skin. Their glands become overactive and the sebum causes the cat’s coat to become shiny and waterproof.
Have you ever noticed how your cat will rub their jaw and chin on you? This is a way of marking you as their territory by rubbing the sebum oil onto your skin and clothes. Every cat has sebum coming from the glands of their face and it has a scent that only other cats can smell.
This scent is used in marking. Your cat may seem to have feline acne but it is always best to have it checked by a veterinarian if it becomes severe. Feline acne has been mistaken for other conditions such as a yeast infection of the chin, demodetic mange, or a deep follicle infection. So use caution when assuming the condition or trying to treat it at home.
In the case that your cat has been diagnosed with acne you can easily treat the affected area by gently cleansing the area with a mild antibacterial soap and warm water.
Liquid antibacterial soap is easier to use and will soak thoroughly to the skin. The best part is that this simple treatment will not only rib your cat of the excess sebum secretions but it will kill the bacteria and germs along the affected spot.
If your cat has any scabs or sore spots from scratching then you should refrain from washing the area until it has healed. Open sores will burn when antibacterial soap is applied. Use caution.