Health A-Z
Feline Acne
Owner and veterinary guidance with linked treatments and source citations.
Feline Acne
Species: Cat
Breeds Affected: All breeds
Clinical review: Veterinary reviewer metadata is not available yet.
Guidance by audience
Use the global Pet owner/Vet toggle in the header. Each mode shows only what that audience needs.
For Pet Owners
Quick summary
Disorder of follicular keratinization on the chin, leading to comedones (blackheads) and sometimes bacterial infection. It appears as “dirty” black material on the chin and lower lip. Not caused by poor hygiene alone; stress or plastic bowls may contribute. Track appetite, hydration, stool/urine changes, energy level, and symptom pattern over time.
Red flags
Call your vet today: Persistent or worsening symptoms. Emergency now: Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain.
What to expect at the vet
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Prevention checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
For Veterinarians
Diagnostics
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Differentials
Differential diagnosis considerations are not available yet.
Treatment considerations
Improve hygiene of the chin. Gently cleanse with an antiseborrheic shampoo or benzoyl peroxide wash to unplug hair follicles. If infection is present, clean the area and apply topical antibiotics. Switch from plastic food/water bowls to ceramic or steel to reduce bacterial buildup. Severe or refractory cases may require more aggressive therapy (oral antibiotics or isotretinoin) under veterinary guidance.
Follow-up strategy
Follow-up strategy is not available yet.
What To Do Now
Escalate care quickly if symptoms worsen, persist, or include emergency warning signs.
| Urgency | Signs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Call your vet today | Persistent or worsening symptoms | Call your veterinarian the same day for guidance and exam scheduling. |
| Emergency now | Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain | Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. |
Prevention Checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
Treatments and Medication Links
Use these medication pages as a reference for options your veterinarian may discuss.
Detailed treatment strategy remains in the Vet view to avoid duplicate narrative blocks.
No linked medications are available yet.
Find a Vet Near YouFrequently Asked Questions
FAQ content is not available for this condition yet.
Data Sources
Last updated: February 16, 2026, 11:11 AM UTC
View source list
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Owner_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Feline+AcneReference search for condition background. -
Triage · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Feline+AcneClinical triage framing. -
Vet_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Feline+AcneClinical workflow reference. -
Diagnosis · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=Feline+AcneGuideline discovery link. -
Prevention · public_health
https://www.cdc.gov/search/?query=Feline+AcnePublic health discovery link. -
Treatment_overview · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=Feline+AcneTreatment guideline discovery link.
Revision History
View revision log
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:10 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 04:45 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-12 22:47 · etl
Related Media
Related media is not available for this condition yet.
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