Why is my male cat's nipple hard, crusty, scabbing, or bleeding?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 2 years and 6 months old | 17 lbs
My male cat's nipple is all hard and crusty and there's scabbing around it. It has bled we think. Any ideas what it could be?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 24th, 2017
This looks like the nipple and surrounding skin is inflammed from an injury or contact with something irritating. You can clean the area with a warm wet cloth. I wouldn't put anything on it as that may make him lick it. This should improve over the next few days. If it gets worse, more discharge or he's itching the area then I would take him in for an exam. He may need an antibiotic injection and something to reduce the inflammation. From the photo this is nothing to be overly concerned about. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Harper.
6Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on July 15th, 2019
Yes, I would be somewhat worried. I don't know if he is doing this because something is bothering him in that location or if it is a behavioral issue. I suggest you put a "cone" collar on him - you should be able to buy one from your local pet shop but if not, you can easily make one at home from a paper plate - to stop him from licking it. See this YouTube link. It will never heal if he does not stop licking it. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1A5tzFwRqk ) Once the nipple heals up, take the collar off and if he starts licking it again then you need to have your vet examine him to see if there is an underlying issue.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
His nipple looked like this yesterday and now it looks like this. Should i take him to the vet?
My neutered male cat has a swollen, red, crusty nipple. We've been watching it and it has gotten bigger. Is it most likely an infection or cancer..?
I have a 5 year old male fixed cat. I've noticed lately one of his nipples in enlarged white and hard.
Hi, what do I need to for this? Does he need to go to the vet? Or does it just need to heal? It’s one of his nipples. He’s a cat
Can cat nipples fall off? I thought her nipple felt very scabby. Rub it a few times and then it came off. Theres a small red legion but no pain
Hi I have a 2 months old kitten and i found that 2 of his nipples are red and like dried and hard, it something i have to worry about?
My cat’s nipple is irritated and has weird scabs around it. Should I be worried?
I am concerned about my cat’s nipple. It looks very red and swollen and might be losing some hair around it. I believe there was a scab around it the other day (but I am not 100 percent sure).
My male 2-year old cat has a redness around one of his teats. It looks red and raw. I have taken him to the vet who suspected a food allergy. She said the most common one is chicken although I have read that it is beef, dairy and seafood. I have been
my 8, almost 9 year old female cat has what looks like dried blood on one of her nipples. she was spayed.
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
