Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

What is this brown lump on my cat's stomach? Should I worry?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 11 lbs

I was rubbing my cats stomach and felt something that at first I thought was his nipple but it stuck out more. It was brownish blackish and kind looked like a tick. I pulled on it lightly and my cat (male, age 5, indoor cat) and he didn't react and it came out easily followed by a trail of white flimsy stuff that came out of the skin. It left a hole in the skin but it feels like there is something hard under the skin in that spot still. What was the thing I pulled out? Should I worry?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

Veterinarian

Published on January 29th, 2017

It should be just a cyst, it will fill up again with time. It shouldn't cause him any discomfort nor become red or inflamed . For the time being, you can keep an eye on it , obviously if you are worried have Kody assessed by your vet.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 12th, 2019

    It is not possible to say what this is without a hands-on exam. I suggest you make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam. He will palpate the lump and may take a little sample with a needle to look at under the microscope. This could be a cyst or an abscess or a benign or malignant tumor. SO have it looked at by your vet for peace of mind.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, My cat is about 3 yrs old (female) and is fixed. I noticed about 2 weeks ago that she has a bump on her stomach, towards the back, almost at the end of her stomach in the back. It has been their for about 2 weeks, does not bother her at all and
It is not possible to say what this is without a hands-on exam. I suggest you make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam. He will palpate the lump and may take a little sample with a needle to look at under the microscope. This could be a cyst or an abscess or a benign or malignant tumor. SO have it looked at by your vet for peace of mind.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a lump under his stomach what does this mean?
It is very difficult to assess this mass without a hands-on clinical exam. This could be just accumulated body fat (cats collect fat on and in their abdomen), a large hernia or a cyst or abscess. Your will need to take Otis to your veterinarian for an exam. Your vet will be able to tell you what this mass is. I am a bit worried about the area being hairless, he may be licking it a lot, which could be a sign of irritation or pain or overgrooming due to stress.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a small pea size lump in his abdomen on his right side. We brought him to the vet today but the vet couldn't feel it. My cat was all tensed up when he was there and I have only been able to feel it when he is sprawled out, so I think my ve
It may just be a sebaceous cyst (a collection of oily debts under the skin) or a small area of inflammation from another cause. If its not painful and he isn't licking at it, I recommend that you make point once a week to measure it at home. If its changing in size over a couple of months or if it becomes bothersome, have it checked out at your vet. If your cat is too upset for a thorough exam, a little sedation may be recommended by your vet so that he/she can see what it is that you're seeing and make the appropriate recommendations. Thank for asking Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a red bump under her body, located on the right stomach area. And I’m a little worried. She doesn’t seemed bothered when I touch it. I just wanted to know what could it be? I haven’t noticed any other symptoms and she seems fine. The size
This kind of lump/growth needs to be ideally assessed by your veterinarian to have a definitive and specific answer. Usually there are two ways your vet can do that a part from examining it directly during physical examination. A biopsy can be taken under local or general anesthetic, otherwise a smaller sample through a fine needle can be aspirated (this technique is called FNA= fine needle aspiration). Differentials include skin cysts, infections, benign or more sinister type of tumors. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Okay I was rubbing my cats left shoulder area and I noticed a raised bubble under the skin. I felt the other side as well and there is nothing like that on that side. Do I need to be concerned
Hello there! A small lump or bubble under the skin that is not painful is probably nothing to be concerned about, but it should still be looked at by a vet at some point - especially if it gets larger, changes color, or if Tater starts scratching or bothering it. At his young age, I'm not terribly concerned about anything serious - a bug bite, foreign object, or a sebaceous cyst could be the culprit. Also, if he's had his vaccinations recently (within the last few weeks), this could also be a local vaccine reaction (which is also usually nothing to worry about and generally resolves in a month or so). The shoulder region is a common injection location. If anything changes or gets worse, a vet visit is in order. Otherwise, it's probably fine to keep an eye on it. Good luck, and I hope Tater keeps having a wonderful life! :)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
When we shaved her we notice that her tummy has grown wieredly. She has a ball like shape under her tummy. Is it a serious matter please check photograph. Our vet said to hve sonography if it does not reduces in a month.
I would be concerned about this lump in your cat. It could just be some fatty tissue in her mammary glands, which is very common to have, if it is the same on both sides. It's however the lump is only on one side of her tummy then that increases my suspicion that it is a tumor of some sort. I would recommend having a fine needle aspirate and cytology done at your vet. This is when a small sample of cells is taken from the mass and looked at under the microscope. This can help your vet determine if the mass is something benign or malignant (cancerous). If it is a malignant mass it needs to be removed sooner rather than later because it is already fairly large.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a brown lump on her face which is firm to the touch but not a scab. Is it something that we should be worried about and should get checked straight away?
Hello there and thank you for posting your question and picture. From the picture, it appears to be a benign skin mass that usually develop in older pets. These typically have this appearance and sometimes will not change in size or will increase in size. Most of these do not bother the animal and can be monitored. If you would like to confirm it is benign, your vet can perform additional tests on this mass. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via text / phone consultation if needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 11 month old male cat. Has an irregular shaped lump in the middle of his abdomen that I can feel. Is this something I should about?
I would definitely have this lump checked out by a vet, as it could be a cyst or a benign tumor. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Simba seen by a vet tomorrow to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated if needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has this weird pimple/bump on it for some time and it doesn't hurt it(the cat). Is it something to worry about?
Without a physical exam or diagnostics, it is difficulty to determine if this lump is something to worry over. You can monitor it at home for rapid change or growth or if it begins to cause pain. Your veterinarian can perform a fine needle aspirate in the clinic to collect samples for pathology. This may provide a diagnosis. Treatment options can be discussed after results are returned.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has some bumps on her stomach, they're red and round and recently she has started to bite them so in turn there is some bleeding. I read online that it could just be fatty tumor, what can I do? She also lost a tooth a while back, her gums seem
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. Based on its location, this could also be a mammary gland tumor which in most cases are malignant. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
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