By the Pethocyn editorial team. Published November 1, 2026. Updated November 1, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the article.

A lipoma is a lump made of fat cells. It is a benign tumour, which means it is not cancer and does not spread to other parts of the body [1].

If you find a new lump on your cat, or a lump that grows, see your vet.

Which cats get them

Lipomas are among the benign lumps that pathology labs see most often in the skin and the tissue just under it in cats [1][2]. In a ten-year study of tumour samples from cats in Korea, the skin lipomas were found in cats that were about eight years old on average, and males and females were affected in roughly equal numbers [1].

What they look and feel like

A lipoma usually sits under the skin as a soft, rounded lump. The trouble is that you cannot tell what a lump is by looking at it or feeling it. Many different growths can sit in the same place and feel much the same.

Why a lipoma should not be ignored

In cats, a large share of skin and under-skin tumours are cancers: researchers put the figure at about half or more, which is a higher share than in dogs [3]. In the Korean study, the share of tumours that were malignant also went up as cats got older [1]. Malignant means it is a cancer.

So a lump that seems harmless may not be. A sample of the lump, checked under a microscope, is what confirms what it is. Most pet owners in one survey knew that a biopsy is needed, and that looking at a lump is not enough [3].

Only a vet can tell a lipoma from other kinds of lump.

For lipomas in dogs, see lipomas in dogs.

Treatment

Your vet will advise on what to do about a lump.

At home, as directed by a vet:

  • do not squeeze or try to open a lump yourself;
  • do not give your cat human or leftover medicines unless your vet says so;
  • go back for any recheck your vet books.

When to see your vet

See your vet if your cat has:

  • a new lump anywhere on the body;
  • a lump that grows or changes;
  • more than one lump;
  • a lump that feels firm or fixed in place;
  • any lump you are unsure about.

The bottom line

A lipoma is a harmless fatty lump, and it is one of the more common benign lumps in cats. But many skin lumps in cats are cancers, and they can look and feel alike. Only a vet, usually with a sample of the lump, can tell which kind your cat has.

This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your veterinarian. If your cat has a lump, see your vet.

Sources

  1. Seung BJ, Bae MK, Sur JH. Regional Variations in and Key Predictors of Feline Tumor Malignancy: A Decade-Long Retrospective Study in Korea. Animals. 2024. CC BY 4.0. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11503808/
  2. Di Teodoro G, Cito F, Salini R, et al. Pathology-Based Animal Cancer Registry of Abruzzo and Molise Regions (Central Italy): A Ten-Year Retrospective Study (2014-2023). Veterinary Sciences. 2024. CC BY 4.0. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11598987/
  3. Cardoso C, Files R, Silva F, Barbedo P, Prada J, Pires I. Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes, and Practices of Dog and Cat Owners Regarding Skin Tumors: A Cross-Sectional Study. Veterinary Sciences. 2025. CC BY 4.0. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12656767/