My kitten has this on his chin? please help

Question

My 10-month old kitty has weird looking dark black projections on his chin and a few dark black marks. What the heck is this? They don't seem to bother him at all... my other cats don't have this.

Answer 1

It sounds like acne. One of my cats had this frequently, until he became about twelve years old. He's fifteen now, and no longer gets acne. Do a little internet research. You'll probably find some picture of feline acne.

Answer 2

Hi Julie,

There are several causes of what you are describing. Ranging from an allergic reaction to plastic, which many food dishes are made of, to ringworm and yeast, follicle infections, and mange, so a thorough examination of these marks on his chin is in order, by your veterinarian.

http://www.vetinfo4cats.com/cacne.html#F... Acne

Some cats are far more sensitive to plastic dishes and form this acne condition, while other cats don't seem to be bothered with it at all.

Treatment, of course is dependent upon the diagnosis. However, this being said, what has worked for me with a cat that turned out to be allergic to plastic, was to switch to china or melamac or metal feeding dishes. Once we had the condition "cured", he never broke out in them again.

So a visit to the vet may be prudent to rule out anything else that is less simple.

Hope this helps,

Troublesniffer

Owned by cats for over 40 years

Former breeder of Oriental Shorthairs and Siamese cats

http://frequentlyfeline.blogspot.com/

Answer 3

Sounds like cat acne. Don't use plastic feeding dishes.

Answer 4

Two possibilites.

1) Fleas.  Check for fleas under his chin and neck.  They like this soft tender area, and leave behind black "dirt" specks which are actually the dried blood they've sucked out of him.  You'll need to see your vet or get some Frontline or Advantage to combat it.

2) Kitty acne.  My cat used to get this.  His chin has been touching something that irritates him, and his skin essentially breaks out in irritation.  The most common culprit is a plastic food dish.  The plastic can hold bacteria, even if it looks clean to you.  Switch to a simple stainless steel bowl for both his food and water.

Answer 5

I'm sorry, but I think it would help if you gave a little more information about the projections--size, number, etc., and maybe a picture? If you are very worried about it, you could take him to your veterinarian. Good luck.