How to Treat Feline Acne at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your cat, like mine, has developed red, itchy bumps under the chin, it could be suffering from a condition known as feline acne. As a pet owner and veterinarian, I’ve dealt with this condition firsthand and found natural and effective treatments that can help your cat. In this article, I’ll share the exact steps you can take to treat feline acne at home and prevent it from coming back.

Recognizing Feline Acne

About a week and a half ago, I noticed red, itchy, painful bumps under my cat Cassian’s chin. When I gently lifted his head, I saw that the base of his chin had some black crust. He had been itching at the area, and upon closer inspection, I noticed clogged hair follicles and blackish, infected-looking tissue around the affected area. The skin was red and irritated, and it very much resembled acne – which is exactly what it was: feline acne.

Feline acne is common in cats, though the exact cause isn’t always clear. It could be triggered by several factors such as:

• An overproduction of sebum (oil) produced by the sebaceous glands
• Allergies, particularly food or environmental allergies
• Exposure to plastic food bowls

For my cat Cassian, I suspected that food allergies were a contributing factor, as he had been eating food that included fish, a common allergen for many cats.

Step 1: Clean the Chin Thoroughly

The first step in treating feline acne is to clean the affected area properly. Start by trimming the hair around the base of your cat’s chin to expose the acne and clogged hair follicles. I use clippers, but if you’re not comfortable with them, blunt scissors can work too. Make sure to be gentle and, if needed, have an extra pair of hands to help restrain your cat.

After the hair is removed, you can clean the chin with a topical antiseptic. I recommend using chlorhexidine, which is available at most pharmacies. It’s commonly used as a surgical scrub in veterinary clinics and works wonders for cleaning the affected skin. Soak a piece of gauze or a makeup remover pad with chlorhexidine and scrub the acne area thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean all the pus-filled pustules!

Step 2: Apply Topical Antibacterial Treatment

Once the chin is clean, the next step is to apply a topical antibacterial to help fight infection and prevent future flare-ups. While prescription topical antibacterials like Bacitracin are excellent, there’s a natural alternative that works just as well: propolis spray.

Propolis, or bee glue, is produced by honeybees and has widely documented antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s safe for cats even if they happen to lick it off. I suggest applying the propolis spray directly to the affected area twice a day for 7 to 10 days. This will help kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Step 3: Treat the Underlying Cause (Allergies)

Since allergies are a common underlying cause of feline acne, it’s crucial to address this issue as well. One option is to use a topical treatment like hydrocortisone with aloe. I’ve found that Gold Bond’s 1% hydrocortisone formulation works great for reducing inflammation and soothing the skin. Apply a small amount twice a day for 5 to 7 days.

In addition to topical treatments, I’ve changed Cassian’s food. He was eating a food that included fish, which I suspected might be a trigger for his acne. I switched him to a single-ingredient canned turkey diet, which helps minimize allergens in his food.

Step 4: Prevent Future Breakouts

To prevent future breakouts, there are a few key changes you can make:

• Switch to Stainless Steel Bowls: Plastic bowls can be a significant allergen for cats. I switched Cassian to a stainless steel food bowl, which reduces the risk of further irritation.
• Maintain Bowl Hygiene: Regularly clean your cat’s food bowl to ensure it’s free of bacteria. A dirty bowl can exacerbate acne by allowing bacteria to come in contact with the skin.

Additionally, I’ve added an essential fatty acid supplement in the form of krill oil to Cassian’s diet. Krill oil has anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for both environmental and food allergies. I plan to keep him on this long-term, as it may help prevent future flare-ups.

Conclusion

By following these steps – cleaning the chin, applying topical antibacterial treatments, addressing any underlying allergies, and maintaining proper hygiene – you can successfully treat your cat’s acne at home. This method not only treats the condition but also helps prevent it from recurring in the future. Cassian has already shown significant improvement, and I believe these steps can help your cat as well.

Thank you for following along, and remember, if your cat suffers from recurring feline acne, it’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to rule out any other health issues.

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