Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My cat has a red, swollen, itchy lip sore. Does she need a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 2 years and 2 months old | 9 lbs

On the lower lip near the corner of my female cats lip, a soar has developed. It is slightly red and dry and swollen . It has the appearance of what a human lip would look like if it was licked to much and a rash formed. It does not seem to bother her at all except that it must be itchy sometimes and she tries to scratch it, then pulls away realizing that that hurts when she does that. Is there anything I can put on it or should I take her to the vet? Thank you.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Emily Luisana DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 10th, 2017

I am sorry to hear that! I do think going to the vet would be a good idea. Cats can get many types of lumps at their mouths. From your description one thing I would want to rule out is eosinophilic plaques. These can be caused by allergies so getting on a low allergen food (I would recommend prescription due to cross-contamination at the manufacturing level) and medications can be vital! Of course it is hard to tell without looking at her so your vet may want to rule tests or take a biopsy first! I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 29th, 2016

    Poor Moonlight! I would take her to the vet. It's important to discover what is causing the sores. If you don't treat the underlying cause, then the sores can keep coming back. These sores could be due to allergies, a skin infection, autoimmune disease, or a combination of these potential causes. The vet can do a physical exam, routine blood tests, and a urinalysis to diagnose what is causing these sores, and can treat accordingly. While at the vet, the lump hanging off her lip can be examined as well. It may need to be removed if it's causing Moonlight discomfort, or if it is growing bigger.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat (2yo) has a sore with what appears to be a scab peeling off on her lower lip. The area appears swollen and painful. What could this be?
Poor Lou. Thank you for the picture of the sore on her lip, it's very helpful. This sore could be from an injury or it could be something known as a feline eosinophilic granuloma complex. The exact cause of feline eosinophilic granuloma complex is unknown, but research studies suggest that a form of allergic response (hypersensitivity reaction) may be involved in the majority of cases. Unfortunately I cannot make a diagnosis from a picture alone, so I do suggest having her seen by a vet for this issue, who can diagnose it and treat it. I would give her vet a call now to make her an appointment. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a red patch on the upper side lip. At first it was just red and warm to the touch. Now it has gotten swollen and is spreading to her lower lip area. It is also starting to possibly scab.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! These types of lesions are usually due to allergies or something called eosiophilic granulomas. The cause is unknown though most of the time it is triggered by things like allergies. To effectively treat it you have to get to the bottom of the inciting cause but most of the time steroids are used. There are other possible diseases that can look like that like potentially just mild mucositis or inflammation of the lip. I advise you have her evaluated by her veterinarian to check for an examination and further diagnostics as indicated based on his examination. Further treatment is going to be dependent on what is found. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
Should I take my cat to the vet? There’s this sore by his mouth that started bleeding last night. It’s stopped now but his lip still looks a little funky. He’s about 6 years old, definitely overweight but on a diet. The second and third image are fro
I am very sorry that Kitty has his sore near her lip. Thank you for proving pictures, it is difficult to know precisely what caused this lesion it may have been a cat scratch, a traumatic puncture from for example a fence, or possible a primary skin like feline acne, or allergic disease. At this stage it appears to be slightly crusted and inflamed and I would suggest a trip to the veterinarian. The vet will most likely clean the wound and debris any necrotic material. The vet may also send home pain relief, anti inflammatory medications and / or antibiotics. The vet will also be able examine the area and reach a diagnosis. Best of luck to you both and thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat Zatara and her sister Zatanna both started vomiting every time i fed them the HEB brand kitten and cat food. so i changed it to can food and they seem fine. Now i don't know if Zatara is allergic to the new food because two days ago i noticed
Allergic reactions can cause swelling, however if the area is also blistering or oozing debris it is possible there could be an abscess (infection), virus, burn, ulceration, or other issue causing her symptoms. It would be best to bring her into your vet to have the area examined, especially if the swelling is in the face/mouth.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a fat lip with bumps on the inside of his lip that look like sharp hooks, almost like the texture of his tongue. Bringing him into the vet tomorrow but just wanted to know what I was maybe dealing with.
This could be a few different things, but eosinophilic plaques/rodent ulcers, injuries, or infections would be high on my list. I think it is a good idea that you are going to the vet as some medications and a diet change could bring him relief! The good thing is most of these differentials are very treatable! I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat Xena (1 year old) has a bit of a swollen bottom lip that we just noticed yesterday morning. We read it may be an allergic reaction but not sure to what. Currently we feed her Wegmans nature brand salmon and tuna grain and corn free wet canned
From the photos it looks like Xena has a "rodent ulcer" (aka: eosinophilic granuloma complex). It is best to have her checked out by your regular veterinarian to get a definitive diagnosis and treatment. ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951528 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my cat keeps getting a swollen bottom lip but as of tonight her mouth at the side is very swollen, she has be de-fleaed with Bravecto and has been wormed, I have attached photo, it doesn’t seem to bother her, but it feels hard, can you help
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! That is a great picture and I can see what you are referring to clearly. I am concerned that this could be a growth for example. Another possibility is that her canine tooth is rubbing on the gum tissue and causing inflammation and an examination would help determine if that seems likely. I highly recommend that you have Saffy evaluated by a veterinarian to have this sampled. This can be done via a fine needle aspirate or a biopsy to determine what this is exactly. Then therapy can be directed at that specifically. Hoping that this is benign. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat's upper lip is swollen, there's no wounds or scanning on it and nothing wrong inside of her mouth. It just randomly got swollen. I don't know what's wrong and I can't afford a trip to the vet at the moment.
She could have an eosinophilic granuloma which is common in cats and can be caused by an allergic response. The lesion may become ulcerated and is typically treated with a corticosteroid. If she has any fleas then she should be treated for fleas. You could also put her on a hypoallergenic diet and see if that helps. Try to find a low cost clinic or a vet that would take a payment plan so you can get her treated. If she just needs a corticosteroid then it shouldn't be very expensive. Hope she gets better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Hi my 8 month old kittens lips are red and swollen. They just recently happened to get this way.
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Sage! Possible causes are: allergies, trauma from excessive grooming (rodent ulcer), allergic reaction, or from licking a caustic toxic substance. Without seeing a picture or examining Sage it is hard to tell you much more. Since cats can not tolerate human medications it is best to have Sage examined by a Vet today so she can be treated. I hope this helps and I wish you and Sage the very best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my cat has developed various sizes ( from the size of a Nickle to bigger than a quarter) all over her body. she currently has 4 one on her back about half way down her spine, two on her right shoulder and on her neck maybe an inch and a half from her
Poor Moonlight! I would take her to the vet. It's important to discover what is causing the sores. If you don't treat the underlying cause, then the sores can keep coming back. These sores could be due to allergies, a skin infection, autoimmune disease, or a combination of these potential causes. The vet can do a physical exam, routine blood tests, and a urinalysis to diagnose what is causing these sores, and can treat accordingly. While at the vet, the lump hanging off her lip can be examined as well. It may need to be removed if it's causing Moonlight discomfort, or if it is growing bigger.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored