Don’t stress too much if your pet develops chin acne — it’s a relatively common problem in dogs and cats!
One of the most common causes for chin acne is allergies. A pet may be allergic to fleas, foods, plastic in bowls, or inhaled particles like pollen and mold spores. Dealing with the allergy can make a big difference in many cases of chin acne.
- Treat your pet with a monthly flea/tick preventative like Frontline, Advantage, Sentinel, or Revolution.
- Spray your home and yard to clear up flea infestations if one is present or suspected.
- Eliminate plastic food and water bowls. Switch to glass, ceramic, or metal instead.
- Wash food and water bowls daily with soap and warm water. This will help keep bacteria away from your pets. Bacterial infections can cause or worsen chin acne!
- Eliminate plastic toys.
- Talk to your veterinarian about allergy testing. If a food allergy is suspected, you may need to experiment with different low-allergen foods in order to find something that does not trigger your pet’s allergies.
While your pet’s chin is broken out, your vet may ask you to administer oral or topical antibiotics. A warm compress two or three times per day can help keep the area clean and promote healing.
In some cases, your vet may want to clip/shave the affected area. This helps make the acne more visible for cleaning and treatment. Don’t worry — the hair will grow back as the area heals. Large, infected lesions may need special attention from your veterinarian. Expressing the pus may be painful for pets, as the chin and muzzle can be especially sensitive.
Many pets respond well to quick, easy fixes like those listed above. For some pets, it takes longer to figure out the allergy triggers and for treatments to take effect. Be patient! Extreme cases of chin acne may take several months to get under control.