What is this black stuff on my cat's chin and why is it bleeding?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 5 lbs
My cat got something on his chin
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 20th, 2019
This could be feline acne, and Taz may be scratching his chin so much that he is causing it to bleed. Have him seen by a vet for this in the next few days. If he does have feline acne, the vet can prescribe a medicated wash for him to treat it. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 19th, 2018
This could be a bleeding feline acne lesion or a bite from another animal or your cat scratched herself open when it itched. In order to diagnose this properly this will need to be cleaned, the hair around it shaved, so that the lesion itself can be thoroughly inspected. I suggeest you have this examined by your veterinarian. Here is some information on feline acne, one of the possible causes: https://www.petcoach.co/article/feline-acne-signs-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-chin-blackheads-in-c/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my cat has had a problem with little brown spots being caked on his chin for a month or 2 now, we thought it was flea dirt so we put him on better flea protection but over last monday I noticed he was bleeding on his chin quite a lot and today he
It looks like feline chin acne. If he eats from plastic bowls, switch them out for glass, steel or ceramic bowls. Some cats are allergic to plastic. You can clean his chin twice daily with a Stridex acne pad (NOT the kind with salicylic acid, but the kind with benzoyl peroxide), or you can use a cotton ball with regular hydrogen peroxide to clean his chin. If it does not improve significantly in a few days or gets worse, please get him in to see your vet as this could indicate a more serious condition.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has two sores on his chin and one sore at the corner of his mouth. He is acting fine- eating well, good energy- but scratches the sores every now and then. They are bloody and raw. What does he have??
The lesions on Chubbs' chin and mouth could be feline acne, viral in origin, among others. Make sure that Chubbs is eating from stainless steel or glass bowls rather than plastic or ceramic, as these materials are more porous and can harbor bacteria, leading to irritation of the chin and feline acne. You can also use dilute antiseptic solution (such as betadine or chlorhexidine) to clean his chin 1-2 times per day, but take care to rinse and dry the areas thoroughly. If he continues to scratch, you can put an e-collar (cone) on him. However, if the lesions persist or worsen, Chubbs may need to go to his vet for further evaluation and medication, such as antibiotics and/or steroids. I hope that he's on the mend soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My male cat of 7 years has been scratching his chin excessively the past few days to the point it has no fur, is bleeding, scabbing, and is swollen. Since this has started, he's become severely depressed. He sits in one spot all day and does not move
Hi, and thanks for your question. This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. Feline acne is a possibility but a picture of it would help to confirm it. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). 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 di
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I noticed some black spots on my cat's chin. They look like little black spots on strawberries. I'm cleening it everyday at night, but they seem to come back the next morning. It doesn't seem to bother him, he's eating and drinking normally but I sti
This looks like feline acne, although flea dirt could also look similar. Feline acne can be related to allergies or can also be a reaction to food dishes - I would recommend changing to a shallow glass or ceramic bowl and cleaning the bowl frequently if you do not already do this. If the surrounding skin isn't particularly red there may not be any additional treatment required. If you have seen fleas or see black spots anywhere else I'd recommend having Dexter examined by your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has broken out with black head looking scabs all around his mouth and now has a slight foul odor to his breath. What is it and what home remedy can i use to help him. Thank u so much!
It looks like feline acne from what I can see in the photo. If he eats or drinks from plastic dishes, get rid of them and use glass, steel or ceramic instead. Cats are sometimes allergic to plastic bowls. If you have acne pads with benzyl peroxide (don't use the kind with salicylic acid) you can use them to clean off the affected area twice daily. Or you can use a cotton ball and regular hydrogen peroxide to clean his chin. If it does not significantly improve in a few days, get him in to see your vet as this may indicate a more serious problem.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a lesion or a few bumps/lesions on her chin. We tried wound spray and she keeps licking her paw and then cleaning the paw. She does have blood on her white paw every time she touches it against her chin. She is very sensitive and does not
This is chin acne. I would make sure you are feeding Peaches out of stainless steel or ceramic bowls and they are being cleaned daily. Even the water bowl should be cleaned daily or even multiple times a day. I would recommend wiping her chin clean also. Sometimes these cases need antibiotics, so if it doesn't resolve with cleaning everything then I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What is this regenerating bug that imbeds itself in my cats chin? It’s the only one and my other cat has nothing and they are indoor cats. After THREE attempts to remove it her chin has begun to turn black. It’s the holidays and I have hardly any m
Hello, and thank you for your question. The black spots look suspicious for chin acne, which is common in cats. It is not a bug at all, but in fact sebaceous secretions that plug up the hair follicles on the cat's chin. These can become infected, so the best thing to do would be to take Little to the vet to see if she needs antibiotics. For mild cases of chin acne, however, you can try wiping the area twice a day with hydrogen peroxide. This may help to open up the hair follicles and prevent them from getting clogged up again. Other possibilities for the chin issue may be infection, or tumours. Again, it would be best to get this checked out by a vet eventually to confirm the diagnosis. I hope this advice helps in the meantime!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I see blood and matted hair underneath my cat's chin in one spot. I removed what felt like a scab or bump and I could tell my cat was in pain or discomfort when I did it, but I managed to get it off her. When I looked more closely at what I pulled of
Hello, Thanks for the good photo. This looks like it may be either a bad chin acne lesion or a small abscess or infection. You can gently clean the area with a warm saline or epsom salt water solution. Otherwise, keep it dry and don't apply any ointments, as these can sometimes trap bacteria and worsen infections. If it's not significantly improved within a week, I'd have Freya seen by her veterinarian when possible. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Fluffy has suddenly got black stuff under his chin, cant be fleas as he doesnt itch at all, or any visible fleas so i guess its acne, and i tried wiping it with baby wipes they are coming off but i feel like it spreading, how do i treat it. Also, i
You should use a plate for Fluffy’s food and clean it frequently since oils from food or a reaction to plastic bowls can lead to acne. Occasionally medicated benzoyl peroxide wipes or ointments like mupirocin are needed to help with acne. Depression shouldn’t be related and can be a sign of a number of diseases so if it continues and you’re concerned your should see a veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Is this cat acne? What can I do? My cat suddenly developed pink swelling around her mouth and chin, and it has black spots.
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about C and for providing pictures, they are very helpful! Yes, this could be feline acne, but I can't say for certain without seeing her in person. I'd take her into the vet in the morning to get this diagnosed. If she does have feline acne, the vet can prescribe a medicated wash to treat it. I would also change her food and water bowls from plastic to metal, as plastic bowls exacerbate feline acne. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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