Black dots in cats: why they appear and how to deal with them

Just like in humans, comedones in cats indicate problems in care and features of the body. I will tell you about the three most popular reasons why cats have such inflammations.

• Reason #1. Skin pollution

Black dots often appear in cats due to the fact that excess sebum accumulates on the skin. The pet’s sebaceous glands produce a skin secret to moisturize the coat. And that’s okay. However, some produce too much of it. This is often seen in sphinxes. There is almost no hair on their body, but the secret is still produced and settles on the skin. That is, hairless cats get dirty faster. Even if the cat never walks, house dust gets on her skin. Pollution and excess sebum clog pores, and comedones appear.

• Reason number 2. Wrong care

Comedones appear if the cat is rarely bathed, non-professional care products are used, and grooming procedures are not performed. At the same time, it would also be a mistake to enroll a pet for all such procedures at once. Haircut is contraindicated for cats. The only exception is the appointment of a veterinarian. The ban is due to the fact that the haircut violates thermoregulation in cats, worsens the quality of wool and stimulates increased production of skin secretions that will clog pores.

Swimming is the opposite. The cells of the epidermis in a cat are updated approximately once every 21 days. Therefore, I recommend bathing your pet at least once a month. Hairless cats are washed even more often. And in order to remove excess secretion and clean the skin folds, they regularly wipe the skin with a special napkin. In long-haired cats, the pores sometimes get clogged under mats. This happens if the hair is rarely combed out, and the skin does not breathe.

If you wash a cat with soap or human shampoo, unpleasant “surprises” with skin and hair will not keep you waiting. These are acne, dandruff and an allergic reaction. To avoid this, match your cat’s shampoo, conditioner, and brush to your cat’s coat type.

• Reason number 3. Diseases

Sometimes acne is a symptom of a hormonal imbalance or another medical condition. Therefore, if your cat suddenly has black dots, I recommend not to delay and consult with a veterinarian.

Rashes are a signal that pet care can and should be improved.

Black dots in cats are an aesthetic problem. The cat does not experience discomfort because of them. Comedones are not dangerous and are not transmitted to other pets and people. But they spoil the appearance of the cat, and this worries the owners.

You can remove comedones from a cat yourself, at home. To do this, wipe the skin with a cotton pad moistened with an antiseptic 2-3 times a day. This will help clear the pores. The main thing – do not try to squeeze black dots on your own: this way you risk injuring the skin. In addition, no cat will be delighted with such manipulation.

If your cat is prone to acne, she needs special care. Use professional shampoo and conditioner from the same brand: they work well together and enhance the effect. Additionally, exfoliating with a mild exfoliating scrub such as Mineral Red Derma Exrteme in ISB will be helpful.

If a cat has a lot of blackheads, self-treatment can be dangerous. In this case, I recommend contacting a veterinarian or a groomer: he will gently and carefully clean the pores and explain how to prevent acne in the future. Healthy and clean skin for your pets!