If you have noticed tiny black specks on your cat’s chin that look like dirt but do not brush off, your cat may have feline acne, one of the more frequent skin diagnoses in cats. Some cats only ever have a few blackheads, while others develop red, swollen, crusty or itchy chins that need treatment.
This guide explains what chin acne looks like, what else it can be, and what to expect at the vet.
What feline acne looks like
A 2026 review of sebaceous (oil) gland diseases in animals describes feline acne as acne-like changes on the chin of cats: blackheads (comedones) that can turn into small red bumps and pus-filled spots, sometimes with patches of hair loss. [1]
In a study of 22 affected cats, the most common signs were: [2]
- Blackheads (73% of cats)
- Hair loss (68%)
- Crusts (55%)
- Small red bumps (45%)
- Redness (41%)
Itching was reported in 35% of the cats. [2] Another study of 25 cats found the chin was the most common area, but the lower lip, upper lip and the corners of the mouth were also often affected. In that study, crusts were the most common sign, followed by blackheads, redness, hair loss, itching and, less often, deeper lumps or draining tracts. [3]
How common is it, and which cats get it?
In a review of 1,407 cats with skin disease seen at Cornell University’s teaching hospital, feline acne (74 cats) was sixth on the list of the 10 most common skin diagnoses. [4]
Feline acne is not a teenage problem the way it often is in people. The 2026 review points out that, unlike in people, it is not tied to adolescence, and that it is seen in cats of any age, in males and females alike. [1][5] In the 22-cat study, the age it started ranged from 6 months to 14 years, with a median of 4 years. [2]
What causes it?
The exact cause is not fully understood. The review groups feline acne with sebaceous gland diseases of unknown origin, and says hormones do not appear to play a part. [1]
Studies have found other problems mixed in with chin acne in some cats: [2][3]
- Bacteria were grown from 10 of 22 affected cats (45%). [2]
- Malassezia yeast was seen in 4 of 22 cats (18%). [2]
- Ringworm fungus was found in one cat in one study and two cats in another. [2][3]
A University of Minnesota veterinary dermatology handbook explains that some cats with chin acne develop a bacterial infection of the hair follicles. If infected follicles burst, the infection can reach deeper skin and cause firm lumps, marked swelling, draining spots, crusts and pain. [5] This is why a chin that becomes swollen, painful or crusty needs a vet check rather than home care.
What else can it be?
Bumps or crusts on a cat’s chin are not always acne. Other possibilities include:
- Ringworm, a fungal infection that was found in some cats with chin acne and can spread to people and other pets. The handbook adds that, rarely, ringworm or Demodex mites can stay limited to the chin and look just like acne. [2][3][5] See ringworm in dogs and cats.
- Eosinophilic granuloma complex, which can also affect a cat’s chin. The Minnesota handbook notes that when the chin is badly swollen without other acne signs, your vet may take a biopsy to rule out an eosinophilic granuloma. [5]
- Allergies and mites, which can make the face itchy. See why is my cat itchy or overgrooming? and cat ear mites and ear problems.
What your vet will check
In the 25-cat study, every cat had deep skin scrapings for parasites, cytology from the skin surface, and a fungal culture from the chin before treatment. [3] Your vet may do some of the same tests:
- Skin scrapings to look for mites
- Cytology (a sample under the microscope) for bacteria and yeast
- A fungal culture for ringworm
- A biopsy if the lesions are deep, unusual, or do not respond to treatment
How chin acne is treated
Treatment depends on how severe it is and whether infection or yeast is involved. Your vet will tell you whether treatment is needed.
When treatment is needed, it is usually applied to the chin. In the 25-cat study, a prescription antibiotic ointment used as the only treatment gave an excellent response in 15 cats and a good response in 9. [3] One cat had a skin reaction to the ointment and had to stop. [3] If bacterial infection, yeast or ringworm is found, your vet will treat that too.
What not to do:
- Do not squeeze the bumps. Leave them alone and let your vet look at them.
- Do not use human acne products or leftover medicines. Cats lick their faces, so only use what your vet prescribes.
When to see your vet
Book a visit if your cat’s chin:
- Is swollen, red, crusty or bleeding
- Has pimples, lumps or draining spots
- Is itchy, or your cat keeps rubbing or scratching it
- Is losing hair
- Has not improved, or keeps coming back
Also see your vet if there are similar crusts or hair loss elsewhere on your cat, or if anyone in the home develops an itchy, ring-shaped rash.
FAQ
What are the black spots on my cat’s chin?
They are often blackheads (comedones), the most common sign of feline acne in one study (73% of affected cats). [2] Flea dirt can look similar, so your vet can confirm what they are.
Is cat chin acne contagious?
Ringworm was found in some cats with chin acne in these studies, and ringworm does spread to people and pets, so it is worth having your vet check. [2][3] See ringworm in dogs and cats.
Can I pop my cat’s chin pimples?
No. Leave them alone and ask your vet about treatment instead.
Do only young cats get chin acne?
No. It occurs in cats of all ages, and in one study it started anywhere from 6 months to 14 years of age. [1][2]
Will it go away?
In one study, 24 of 25 cats had a good or excellent response to treatment from the vet. [3] Let your vet know if it comes back.
The bottom line
Feline chin acne can range from a few harmless-looking blackheads to a sore, crusty, infected chin. Because ringworm, yeast and other skin problems can look similar, your vet’s tests are the best way to know what you are dealing with and what treatment, if any, your cat needs.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your cat has bumps, crusts or hair loss on the chin, please see your veterinarian.
Sources
- Pfannkuche H, Maus J, Engel KM, Schiller J, Schneider MR. Decoding sebaceous gland functions and diseases: insights from domestic animals. Vet Res Commun. 2026;50(3). doi:10.1007/s11259-026-11128-0. PMID 41824006. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12987846/
- Jazic E, Coyner KS, Loeffler DG, Lewis TP. An evaluation of the clinical, cytological, infectious and histopathological features of feline acne. Vet Dermatol. 2006;17(2):134-40. PMID 16515656. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16515656/
- White SD, Bordeau PB, Blumstein P, et al. Feline acne and results of treatment with mupirocin in an open clinical trial: 25 cases (1994-96). Vet Dermatol. 1997;8(3):157-164. PMID 34644839. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34644839/
- Scott DW, Miller WH, Erb HN. Feline dermatology at Cornell University: 1407 cases (1988-2003). J Feline Med Surg. 2013;15(4):307-16. PMID 23186638. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10816771/
- Torres SMF. Feline Acne. Small and Large Animal Dermatology Handbook, Vol. 2. University of Minnesota, 2025 (CC BY 4.0). https://open.lib.umn.edu/animaldermatology2/chapter/idiopathic-keratinization-disorders-feline-acne/