Friday, December 12, 2008

Help for Feline Acne

PhotobucketI thought I would address a very common problem among many cat owners: Feline Acne.  Ever go to scratch your kitty and feel some scabs under their chin?  This is a very frequent problem called Feline Acne.  It is often caused by bacteria that they pick up as they eat.  The first thing to do when you notice this problem is examine his/her bowls.  Pets should eat out of ceramic or stainless steel dishes as they harbor less bacteria than plastic bowls.  Also, be sure to wash your pets' dishes often.  As for the acne itself, here is a suggestion from Vera (via earthclinic.com):
"In the morning, I cleaned my cat's chin with a cotton square soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide. He did not seem to mind much at all, and there were no residues to worry about. At night (or sometimes right after), I treated the sores with 2% iodine tincture (the yellow kind), then rubbed it in with my finger so he would not lick it. He liked this less than the peroxide, but all in all, it was a trouble-free treatment, easy on us both. There was a visible improvement within days. In 2-3 weeks, he was completely cured. It recurred a month or two later; I started treatment right away, it disappeared in several days, and he has been free of it for over 2 years. (Be sure to also switch to clean ceramic or metal cat dishes, the plastic kind harbor bacteria.)"

I have had success with this method.  Both products clean and dry out the acne and clear it up quite well.  My kitty, Tyson, had feline acne earlier this year and I was able to clear it up with the 3% hydrogen peroxide.  I also switched his food to Innova EVO (eliminating grains from his diet) and his fur has grown thick and soft.