Andy Walters
If you notice your cat licking its nipples, it could be a sign of a more serious health problem. Bleeding from a nipple can be a sign of trauma, mastitis, mammary cancer, or other potentially serious health problems. If you notice scabs on your cat's nipples, it could be a sign of a skin lesion, or a build-up of natural oils or sebum. If you notice your cat licking or scratching the scabs excessively, you should consult your veterinarian.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | A piece of an ovary being left behind during a spay, hormone exposure through medications, tumours that produce hormones, mammary cancer, trauma, mastitis, or other potentially serious health problems |
| Treatment | A short course of antibiotics and pain medication |
| Prevention | Consult a veterinarian if you notice your cat licking or scratching the scabs excessively, or if the scabs become a repeated occurrence |
What You'll Learn
Mastitis
If you notice your cat licking or scratching the scabs excessively, you should get a protective collar and consult your veterinarian. If you only see a couple of small scabs on your cat's nipples, it probably won't warrant an urgent 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 behaviour to see if there's anything abnormal causing these scabs. If you notice itching, redness, inflammation, or swelling, consult with a veterinarian to see if further examination is needed.
If you notice a crust around your cat's nipples and it's not dried blood, it's likely to be sebum buildup. However, bleeding from a nipple can be a sign of trauma, mastitis, mammary cancer, or other potentially serious health problems. Unless the problem is minor and easily managed at home (a small abrasion or scrape, for example), a cat with a bleeding nipple should be seen by a veterinarian.
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Mammary cancer
Bleeding from a cat's nipple can be a sign of mammary cancer. Other possible causes include trauma, mastitis, or other potentially serious health problems. If you notice your cat licking or scratching at scabs on their nipples, you should consult your veterinarian. While a couple of small scabs on a cat's nipples may not warrant an urgent visit to the vet, you should monitor your cat's condition to ensure the scabs are healing properly. If the scabs become a repeated occurrence, pay attention to your cat's behaviour to see if there is anything abnormal causing them. If you notice itching, redness, inflammation, or swelling, consult your veterinarian to see if further examination is needed.
If your cat is spayed, you should also get them examined by a veterinarian if their nipples become swollen. Possible causes include a piece of an ovary being left behind during the spaying procedure, hormone exposure through medications, or tumours that produce hormones.
Mastitis is often caused by a bacterial infection when bacteria enter through the nipple and infect the mammary gland. When caught on time, mastitis can be treated with a short course of antibiotics and pain medication. However, if left untreated, it will require longer treatment and can make your cat very ill.
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Sebum buildup
Cats are usually very good at grooming themselves, but sometimes they can miss a spot. Natural oils or sebum can cause a buildup around the nipples, which can lead to scabbing. Sebum is an oily, waxy substance that is produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. It helps to keep the skin and hair moisturised and protected, but sometimes it can build up and cause problems.
If you notice a crust or scab around your cat's nipples, it's important to determine whether it's dried blood or sebum buildup. Sebum buildup is usually not a cause for concern, but it's always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to be sure. They may recommend a change in diet or grooming habits to help reduce the buildup.
If your cat is licking or scratching the scabs excessively, it's important to get a protective collar and consult with your veterinarian. Excessive licking or scratching can lead to skin irritation, redness, and inflammation, which can make the problem worse. It may also be a sign of an underlying health issue, such as mastitis or mammary cancer.
Mastitis is often caused by a bacterial infection that enters through the nipple and infects the mammary gland. It can usually be treated with a short course of antibiotics and pain medication, but if left untreated, it can make your cat very ill. Miliary dermatitis is another skin condition that can affect cats, causing tiny, crusty lesions and itchy rashes. This may also lead to increased licking and grooming behaviour.
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Skin allergies
Cats are usually very good at grooming themselves, but sometimes they can miss a spot. If you notice your cat licking its nipples, it could be due to skin allergies. Miliary dermatitis is a sign of skin allergies unique to cats. It usually causes tiny, crusty lesions in different parts of your cat's body. It also causes itchy rashes, so you may notice increased licking and grooming from your cat.
If you see your cat licking or scratching scabs excessively, you should get a protective collar and consult your veterinarian. If you only see a couple of small scabs on your cat's nipples, it probably won't warrant an urgent 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 behaviour to see if there's anything abnormal causing these scabs. If you notice itching, redness, inflammation, or swelling, consult with a veterinarian to see if further examination is needed.
If you notice a crust around your cat's nipples and it's not dried blood, it's likely to be sebum buildup. However, bleeding from a nipple can be a sign of trauma, mastitis, mammary cancer, or other potentially serious health problems. Unless the problem is minor and easily managed at home (a small abrasion or scrape, for example), a cat with a bleeding nipple should be seen by a veterinarian.
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Skin irritation
Another potential cause of skin irritation is Malassezia dermatitis, a type of yeast infection that can affect cats. This condition typically causes small, crusty lesions on different parts of the cat's body, as well as itchy rashes, which may lead to increased licking and grooming behaviour.
If you notice your cat excessively licking or scratching at scabs on their nipples, it is important to consult your veterinarian. In the meantime, you can use a protective collar to prevent further irritation. Small scabs on the nipples may not require an urgent visit to the vet, but it is important to monitor your cat's condition to ensure proper healing.
It is also important to be aware of other signs of skin irritation, such as itching, redness, inflammation, or swelling. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian to determine if further examination or treatment is necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Bleeding from a nipple can be a sign of trauma, mastitis, mammary cancer, or other potentially serious health problems. Unless the problem is minor and easily managed at home (a small abrasion or scrape, for example), a cat with a bleeding nipple should be seen by a veterinarian.
If you notice your cat licking or scratching the scabs excessively, you should get a protective collar and consult with your veterinarian. If you only see a couple of small scabs on your cat’s nipples, it probably won’t warrant an urgent 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 behaviour to see if there’s anything abnormal causing these scabs. If you notice itching, redness, inflammation, or swelling, consult with a veterinarian to see if further examination is needed.
If you notice a crust around your cat’s nipples and it’s not dried blood, it’s likely to be sebum buildup. However, if you notice any skin irritation, licking, overgrooming, itching, redness, or signs of infection, just keep monitoring your cat’s condition for the next couple of days and make sure that the crusts are healing correctly. If the wounds aren’t healing, or if you notice other signs, contact your veterinarian to diagnose the issue and help your cat get the proper treatment they need.
