Molly has acne. 

It’s not acne like you and I like to think about it, but there are pimples on her chin.  She doesn’t seem to worry about them.  It doesn’t appear as though she is upset that they’re there.  I suppose she doesn’t much care about boys or complexion or anything like that.  She does, after all, happen to be a cat.

However, after deciding to take her to the vet to find out why exactly she has pimples on her chin, I did a quick google search to see if the internet could enlighten me.

As it turns out, it could.

Feline acne, I have learned, is caused by a build up of bacteria on one of the most difficult parts of a cats body for them to clean – their own chin.  Feline acne is basically the same thing human acne is: a blockage of a pore or hair follicle, aggrivated by bacteria that ends up forming a pustule.  However, in cats, if the acne isn’t taken care of it doesn’t just lead to scars (emotional and physical.)  It can actually cause a systemic bacterial infection that ends in death.

This is a little alarming.

The cure is quick and simple.  Bacteria thrive in plastic bowls.  I will be shopping for some cute, new ceramic kitty bowls tomorrow.  These bowls must be washed out every day.  I can handle that.  I can also help her out by cleaning her chin for her a few times a week.  Stridex pads will work wonders.  We’ll clean her up yet.  She’ll be the Homecoming Queen, you wait and see.