How I Stopped My Cat’s Mild Chin Acne Before It Got Worse

My cat Sophie is turning 9 years old this year and she never had any type of allergy on her skin, until a few weeks ago. She got a mild case of feline chin acne that I never expected to happen. But why does this occur? According to VCA Animal Hospital cats get chin acne due to various reasons, allergy, poor immune system, stress, among other reasons. However, none of these have been clinically proven to be the cause of cat chin acne. Instead, there may be a correlation between the use of water and food plastic bowls with feline chin acne in cats. Fortunately, my cat’s chin acne was mild, it was just starting so I could stop it on time. Here I will tell my story on how I noticed the issue and how I stopped the problem in my cat before it became worse.

How I Noticed My Cat’s Chin Acne

It all started with my cat, Sophie, scratching her chin a lot. Cats scratch here and there, but Sophie took it up a notch, scratching several times every day. And it’s not like the scratching she did when she had fleas, this was only focused on her chin. When I felt under her chin, I found two little bumps that felt like scabs. It was tricky to see them clearly because Sophie didn’t like keeping her chin up for long. But those bumps definitely felt like scabs.

What really tipped me off was Sophie’s behavior. She wasn’t just scratching randomly; she practically begged us to scratch her chin. And when we did, you could see the relief on her face. Cats love chin scratches, but this was different. It was obvious she was really struggling with itchiness.

Examining My Cat’s Chin: A Visual Overview

The sides of her mouth were getting more pink than usual and the fur on her chin’s area looked more separated due to the excessive scratching. In that moment I knew I was dealing with an onset of chin acne on my cat. If I didn’t do anything, it will get worse. Fortunately, her chin didn’t have pimples or inflamed lips, just a very pink chin, a little fur separation due to scratching, and like I said, tiny scabs under her chin.

How I Stopped My Cat’s Chin Acne Before It Became Worse

After researching what to do, I found the steps necessary to eliminate my cat’s feline chin acne:

1. Switching my cat’s water and food bowls to ceramic was the next step in combating feline chin acne. Alternatively, stainless steel or glass bowls can also be used. Since my cat typically alternated between automatic feeders and ceramic raised bowls, I made the decision to temporarily discontinue the use of the automatic feeders with plastic trays. Instead, I exclusively provided water, food, and wet food in ceramic elevated bowls.

1. Daily cleaning of the water and food bowls became a ritual. I washed them with antimicrobial soap and thoroughly rinsed them with hot water followed by cold water to ensure cleanliness and hygiene.
2. Cleaning my cat’s chin several times a day became a top priority. Unsure of which solution to use, I turned to the internet and found one with rave reviews, specially designed for mild cases of feline chin acne and skin irritation. The solution I chose was “Vetericyn Facial Therapy,” containing Hypochlorous Acid (0.009%). The good thing about this solution is that is safe if ingested by your cat. I diligently rubbed my cat’s chin three times a day, using a cotton pad. Initially, the pads revealed debris, but as days passed, they came away cleaner. Consistency was key—this routine had to be maintained three times daily for at least two weeks. Get “Vetericyn Facial Feline Therapy” on Chewy here.

Cleaning my cat’s chin with Vetericyn solution

Not All Cases Can Be Cured Without Veterinary Consultation

When it comes to stop a cat’s chin acne at home it’s important to temper expectations. What worked for us might not do the trick for moderate or severe cases of feline chin acne. So, while early intervention saved the day for us, it’s always best to seek professional advice if things start to get out of hand.

Thanks to our early detection and prompt steps, I noticed a significant improvement in my cat’s chin after two weeks. The incessant scratching had stopped, and her lips and chin had returned to their normal pink color. Those annoying little scabs? Gone without a trace. I couldn’t have been happier that things hadn’t escalated. This whole ordeal served as a stark reminder of the importance of keeping a close eye on our pets’ behavior. If I hadn’t been so attentive, I’m certain the chin acne would have worsened, possibly leading to a dreaded vet visit.

My Final Thoughts on Mild Cat Chin Acne

This condition can pop up at any point in your cat’s life. I used to scroll through pictures of cats dealing with this skin hassle and smugly think, “Well, at least Sophie’s spared from that.” But life had other plans. Turns out, as cats age, they can pick up more allergies or skin troubles. Lesson learned: always keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary with your furry friend.

The more attentive we are, the better chance we have of catching potential issues before they escalate. So, picture this: if you notice your cat obsessively scratching their chin, visibly relieved when you give it a good scratch, and sporting tiny scabs or a rosy hue under their lips and chin with a slight fur alteration, it could very well be the beginnings of feline chin acne. The good news? You can stop it in its tracks—I did.