Cats tend to be pretty self-sufficient pets, and they don’t often show that they’re in pain. So, cat owners need to be observant and check their cats’ physical condition periodically to ensure they’re healthy. When you scan your cat’s body, you may occasionally notice that its nipples are scabby. These scabs may or may not cause concern depending on their cause. Here are some common reasons cats may have scabs on or near their nipples.
The Top 5 Reasons Your Cat Might Have scabby Nipples 1. Improper Cleaning Most cats do a great job of grooming themselves. However, every once in a while, they might miss a spot. Sometimes, natural oils and sebum can cause buildup around the nipples. If you notice a crust around your cat’s nipples and it’s not dried blood, it’s a good chance that it’s sebum buildup. This issue is more commonly found in overweight and obese cats that may have trouble reaching and self-grooming their belly area. Image Credit: Lenar Musin, Shutterstock
Minor Scratches and Wounds Since a cat’s belly has less hair and is more exposed, it’s more susceptible to scratches and wounds. While cats can do a great job of protecting their vulnerable areas, they can still get into some accidents and end up scraping their nipples. If you only see a scab and the skin around it isn’t inflamed or looks infected, you don’t have to worry too much. If you want to be extra cautious, you can apply a pet-safe topical treatment. However, this issue often resolves itself.
Dry Skin Sometimes, your cat’s skin can look scabby due to dryness. You might notice this happening more in the fall and winter if you live in a climate that becomes very dry in these seasons. You can help alleviate any itchiness and dryness by applying moisturizer around your cat’s belly. Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay
Mastitis Mastitis occurs when a cat’s mammary gland becomes inflamed. It’s often caused by a bacterial infection when bacteria enter through the nipple and infect the mammary gland. This can occur when female cats are nursing, but cats living in unsanitary conditions can also contract mastitis. Mastitis has a generally favorable prognosis and can be treated with antibiotics and pain medication but needs to be treated promptly. Nursing cats may require hand-milking to prevent exacerbating the infection.
Miliary Dermatitis Miliary dermatitis is a general skin condition often caused by an allergic reaction. This condition causes itchy rashes, so you may notice increased licking and grooming from your cat. The most common allergen that causes miliary dermatitis is fleas. However, cats can also develop this condition from food allergies. So, if you’ve checked your cat’s coat and it’s free of fleas, there’s a viable possibility that your cat has a food allergy or sensitivity. Image Credit: 9lnw, Shutterstock Never Pick Off Your Cat’s Scabs If you notice scabs on your cat’s skin, it’s vital to resist the urge to pick them off. Picking off scabs can be painful for cats, and it will also reopen wounds and disrupt the healing process. It’s best to leave them alone and let them fall off naturally. If you notice your cat licking or scratching the scabs excessively, you can try using an anti-itch spray to alleviate the irritation. When To Go to the Veterinarian If you only see a couple of small scabs on your cat’s nipples, it probably won’t warrant a visit to the vet’s office. Just monitor your cat’s condition for the next several days to ensure the scabs are healing properly. If the scabs become a repeated occurrence, pay special attention to your cat’s behavior to see if there’s anything abnormal causing these scabs. If you notice increased itching, redness, inflammation, or swelling, consult with your veterinarian to see if further examination is needed. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the issue and determine if your cat needs any antibiotics or other medication. Image Credit: Aleksandar Cvetanovic, Unsplash Last Thoughts There are several reasons why your cat’s nipples may be scabby. It can be difficult finding the cause of these scabs, but they often heal on their own. So, if you don’t notice any skin irritation, infections, or other significant symptoms, just keep monitoring your cat’s condition and make sure that the scabs are healing correctly. If the wounds aren’t healing, or if you notice other symptoms, contact your veterinarian to diagnose the issue and help your cat get the proper treatment it needs.
Featured Image Credit: Rashid Valitov, Shutterstock
Cats tend to be pretty self-sufficient pets, and they don’t often show that they’re in pain. So, cat owners need to be observant and check their cats’ physical condition periodically to ensure they’re healthy.
When you scan your cat’s body, you may occasionally notice that its nipples are scabby. These scabs may or may not cause concern depending on their cause. Here are some common reasons cats may have scabs on or near their nipples.
The Top 5 Reasons Your Cat Might Have scabby Nipples
1. Improper Cleaning
Most cats do a great job of grooming themselves. However, every once in a while, they might miss a spot. Sometimes, natural oils and sebum can cause buildup around the nipples. If you notice a crust around your cat’s nipples and it’s not dried blood, it’s a good chance that it’s sebum buildup.
This issue is more commonly found in overweight and obese cats that may have trouble reaching and self-grooming their belly area.
2. Minor Scratches and Wounds
Since a cat’s belly has less hair and is more exposed, it’s more susceptible to scratches and wounds. While cats can do a great job of protecting their vulnerable areas, they can still get into some accidents and end up scraping their nipples.
If you only see a scab and the skin around it isn’t inflamed or looks infected, you don’t have to worry too much. If you want to be extra cautious, you can apply a pet-safe topical treatment. However, this issue often resolves itself.
3. Dry Skin
Sometimes, your cat’s skin can look scabby due to dryness. You might notice this happening more in the fall and winter if you live in a climate that becomes very dry in these seasons. You can help alleviate any itchiness and dryness by applying moisturizer around your cat’s belly.
4. Mastitis
Mastitis occurs when a cat’s mammary gland becomes inflamed. It’s often caused by a bacterial infection when bacteria enter through the nipple and infect the mammary gland. This can occur when female cats are nursing, but cats living in unsanitary conditions can also contract mastitis.
Mastitis has a generally favorable prognosis and can be treated with antibiotics and pain medication but needs to be treated promptly. Nursing cats may require hand-milking to prevent exacerbating the infection.
5. Miliary Dermatitis
Miliary dermatitis is a general skin condition often caused by an allergic reaction. This condition causes itchy rashes, so you may notice increased licking and grooming from your cat.
The most common allergen that causes miliary dermatitis is fleas. However, cats can also develop this condition from food allergies. So, if you’ve checked your cat’s coat and it’s free of fleas, there’s a viable possibility that your cat has a food allergy or sensitivity.
Never Pick Off Your Cat’s Scabs
If you notice scabs on your cat’s skin, it’s vital to resist the urge to pick them off. Picking off scabs can be painful for cats, and it will also reopen wounds and disrupt the healing process. It’s best to leave them alone and let them fall off naturally.
If you notice your cat licking or scratching the scabs excessively, you can try using an anti-itch spray to alleviate the irritation.
When To Go to the Veterinarian
If you only see a couple of small scabs on your cat’s nipples, it probably won’t warrant a visit to the vet’s office. Just monitor your cat’s condition for the next several days to ensure the scabs are healing properly. If the scabs become a repeated occurrence, pay special attention to your cat’s behavior to see if there’s anything abnormal causing these scabs.
If you notice increased itching, redness, inflammation, or swelling, consult with your veterinarian to see if further examination is needed. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the issue and determine if your cat needs any antibiotics or other medication.
Last Thoughts
There are several reasons why your cat’s nipples may be scabby. It can be difficult finding the cause of these scabs, but they often heal on their own. So, if you don’t notice any skin irritation, infections, or other significant symptoms, just keep monitoring your cat’s condition and make sure that the scabs are healing correctly.
If the wounds aren’t healing, or if you notice other symptoms, contact your veterinarian to diagnose the issue and help your cat get the proper treatment it needs.
Featured Image Credit: Rashid Valitov, Shutterstock
