Dog Acne and Cat Acne

Symptoms of Dog Acne and Cat Acne:

Blemishes or red bumps resembling human acne on lower lip area.
Skin inflammation, scabbed sores on chin.

What Causes Acne in Our Pets?

Allergies
Bacteria on food dish
Hormones (in dogs, but not the case in cats)
Hair follicle trauma
Environment

Just as humans, dogs and cats get acne! The only difference is that they do not get self conscious about it.

Acne can show up in dogs from 5 months old to 3 years old. It usually disappears in adulthood. Cat acne can be a lifelong skin complication.

Short haired dogs, such as Boxers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes are more prone to dog acne than other breeds.

Why short haired dogs?

With short haired dogs, the hair may break off beneath the skin’s surface causing the hair follicle to become infected.

Dog acne and cat acne can cause itching and irritation, which may have your pet rubbing against whatever can satisfy the itch.

Here’s What You Can Do For Cats and Dogs

Keep it Clean

Warm a cloth with medium to hot water (not scalding). Apply a mild soap or pet shampoo and scrub the infected area gently. This will help remove the clogging bacteria. To remove the soap, rinse the area with warm water.

Use Heat

Wet a cloth with hot water (not scalding) and press against infected area. Gently press against the area for up to five minutes or until the cloth is cool. It is good to do this once per day.

Use Echinacea

You can get this in tablet or liquid form. This antibiotic acting herb can help rid acne. Please check with your veterinarian before giving to cats.

Recommended Doses:

1/2 the human dose to large dogs

1/4 the human dose to medium dogs

1/8 the human dose to small dogs

Calendula

This anti-viral and anti-inflammatory extract comes from pot marigold, which is in the daisy family, Asteraceae (aster, daisy or sunflower family). Mix a few drops (about 6) with an ounce of water, then apply this mixture with a cotton ball twice per day.

Aloe Vera

This healing plant will soothe any discomfort acne maybe causing. It is preferable to use gel straight from an aloe vera plant, but if you use a gel, spray, pill, ointment or lotion, please look at the ingredients to be sure aloe is listed first or near the top of the list.

Other Things to Be Aware Of

If acne persists, it could be your pet’s environment, such as certain chemicals around the house or even a flea collar. It could also be a hormonal imbalance. Is your pet neutered or spayed? It could help if your pet is neutered or spayed.

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References:

Shojai, Amy D and the editors of Prevention for Pets. New Choices in Natural Healing For Dogs & Cats: Over 1,000 At-Home Remedies for Your Pet’s Problems. Emmaus, PA:Rodale Press, Inc., 1999.

The Doctors of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats: Over 1,000 Solutions to Your Pet’sProblems – From Top Vets, Trainers, Breeders and Other Animal Experts. Ed. Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books and Matthew Hoffman. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, Inc., 1996.