My cats nipple appears to be black. Hes an inside 8 year old. I dont think it's a tick no movement when touched . Seems soft . It doesn't seem to bother him. Eating and drinking normally. No change in behavior. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 17 lbs

This does look very dark, and I agree that in your picture it doesn't look like a tick. I'd recommend having your vet take a look in person to make sure the nipple has not become infected or that this isn't something like a skin tumor.

Why is my cat's nipple black & soft? Tick or something else?

Health & Wellbeing

My cat has one enlarged hard black nipple. I noticed a few weeks ago, and so far has not changed. It is stuff to the touch. She does not seem to mind when I touch it, so no pain. It is much bigger than her other nipples and appears to be a weird shap

Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. This mass looks pretty serious. Any type of color change, especially dark like this one, makes us suspicious of cancer. I suggest you take her to your vet for an exam. Likely this mass will need to be surgically removed and sent to a laboratory for histopathology testing. I don't mean to scare you but I don't think this is something to ignore. I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Hi! My 9 year old male cat has a dark spot on one of his nipples (the actual nipple is partially dark because of the spot, not dark spots around the areola). Do you know what this is? Picture is attached. Other info: he is overweight, he is mostly in

This is likely just a pigment change but of course I cannot say for sure with just a picture. I would watch it closely. If it starts to get larger or becomes ulcerated, I would have it examined. Or if you are just worried, I would have your vet take a peek at it. Your vet should be able to determine whether it needs to be biopsied or removed. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I found a strange growth on my cat. Almost looks like a skin tag, fleshy colored. I don’t see any legs so I’m hoping it’s not a tick. He doesn’t go outside, indoor only.

This looks like a nipple to me - look above and below it and you should see more nipples in a line if that’s what it is. If not I’d guess this is something like a skin tag or other skin growth and it would be a good idea to have your vet take a look when you get a chance to see if it’s something that should be removed. It does not look like a tick to me.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I have a 5 year old male fixed cat. I've noticed lately one of his nipples in enlarged white and hard.

In your picture this looks like a fairly normal nipple, although it does seem a bit large. It's possible that this nipple is inflamed, or that there is a growth or tumor associated with it. I'd recommend having your vet examine the nipple in person to help determine what might be going on.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Hello, my cats one nipple looks dark around, hard and dry. Is it something I need to worry about? Is there anything I can do to make it better? Or should I take her to our vet

Hello, it looks like the hair follicles around the nipples could be plugged. You do not need to worry about it, besides making sure that Oreo is bathed and grooming on her own. There are some diets with increased essential fatty acids that may improve the over all coat health of your cat. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Hi. My cat gave birth about a month back and the kittens are still drinking milk. But I've noticed recently that the hair around her nipples are getting black and flaky. I don't know if I should be worried or not.

Hello, you can clean her underside with a damp cloth and see if this removes the debris. It could be that the kittens are causing irritation of the nipples and she could be oozing some blood. This is also more likely if the kittens are now older and developing some teeth. If the debris does not clear up, then monitor her mammary glands for firm, swollen, pain and discharge which could indicate mastitis. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My cat has got one nipple with a black ring around the base and one with lots of little black specks/spots around it - she’s 7 years old and definitely not pregnant (Couldn’t get a picture of the black ring around the base)

It is very possible that the pigment around her nipples are a normal variation. However, if the sizes of Cindy's mammary glands differ or if you feel any hard lumps (even tiny ones) near her nipples, she should be examined by a vet.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My cat just giving birth 5 days ago, and today i noticed something on one of her nipples. There's like some dirt(?) at the tip of the nip. I'm worried is this the start of mastitis or just a dirt cause by the babies?

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! At least based on these pictures I can tell you that mastitis seems unlikely as they typically also have visible swelling of the mammary glands and there is usually discharge. This may be due to dirt from them nursing or perhaps due to a mild skin infection. If it does not resolve on its own in the next 5 days or it worsens, have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day!

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I removed a tick and now the area has black ink stained marks but I just noticed the same marks on the other side of his neck is this harmful to my cat? ? & is it caused by the tick removal or something else maybe?

I recommend you ask your vet nurse to check it or post a picture here - it is possible part of the tick may still be embedded. I recommend using a monthly tick prevention such as stronghold plus or broadline to prevent future botes during the spring-summer months

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Iv had my cat for years and she always had this thing on her nipple she’s gotten it removed before but it came back a few months later. But it looks like this now . It like coming out. Should I pull it out ? She’s an inside cat so I don’t know what t

Lesions like that can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, a mass/tumour, or a combination of the above. I recommend making an appointment to have Pookie seen by your veterinarian to help determine the cause of the lesions you’ve noticed and to make sure they are treated appropriately. The vet will likely want to look at a sample from the area under the microscope to determine if there is an infection and to figure out what medication is appropriate for treatment. In the meantime, you can bathe Pookie in hypoallergenic shampoo for dogs to clean the area, and put an e-collar (cone) on Pookie to help reduce the risk of scratching at the area, but this will likely not resolve the lesions.I do not recommend pulling it out, as this could lead to injury and/or infection.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Why is my cat's nipple black and soft? Is it a tick or something else?

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Related Answers from Veterinarians

Why is my cat's nipple black and soft? Is it a tick or something else?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Related Questions

My cat has one enlarged hard black nipple. I noticed a few weeks ago, and so far has not changed. It is stuff to the touch. She does not seem to mind when I touch it, so no pain. It is much bigger than her other nipples and appears to be a weird shap

Hi! My 9 year old male cat has a dark spot on one of his nipples (the actual nipple is partially dark because of the spot, not dark spots around the areola). Do you know what this is? Picture is attached. Other info: he is overweight, he is mostly in

I found a strange growth on my cat. Almost looks like a skin tag, fleshy colored. I don’t see any legs so I’m hoping it’s not a tick. He doesn’t go outside, indoor only.

I have a 5 year old male fixed cat. I've noticed lately one of his nipples in enlarged white and hard.

Hello, my cats one nipple looks dark around, hard and dry. Is it something I need to worry about? Is there anything I can do to make it better? Or should I take her to our vet

Hi. My cat gave birth about a month back and the kittens are still drinking milk. But I've noticed recently that the hair around her nipples are getting black and flaky. I don't know if I should be worried or not.

My cat has got one nipple with a black ring around the base and one with lots of little black specks/spots around it - she’s 7 years old and definitely not pregnant (Couldn’t get a picture of the black ring around the base)

My cat just giving birth 5 days ago, and today i noticed something on one of her nipples. There's like some dirt(?) at the tip of the nip. I'm worried is this the start of mastitis or just a dirt cause by the babies?

I removed a tick and now the area has black ink stained marks but I just noticed the same marks on the other side of his neck is this harmful to my cat? ? & is it caused by the tick removal or something else maybe?

Iv had my cat for years and she always had this thing on her nipple she’s gotten it removed before but it came back a few months later. But it looks like this now . It like coming out. Should I pull it out ? She’s an inside cat so I don’t know what t

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