Dogs and cats don't get self-conscious about their pimples, but they can be as acne-prone as any bunch of human teenagers. And when pets get acne, they usually take it on the chin. That is where these eruptions appear, causing their chins to get bumpy, itchy, and sore.

Dogs usually get acne during their "teenage" years, in part because changing hormone levels cause oil-producing glands in the skin to become overactive. This can clog their pores. In cats, acne usually occurs during their adult years.

No one really knows for sure why pets get acne. In dogs, there appears to be a genetic link since it tends to occur in short-coated breeds, such as Great Danes, Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, and boxers, says Patricia Ashley, D.V.M., a veterinary resident in dermatology at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville. Dogs can also get acne from allergies or from rubbing against objects that irritate the skin. In cats, acne may be triggered by allergies, ringworm, or even by problems with the immune system, she says.

Dogs usually get rid of it by the time they are about eight months old, and cats generally aren't bothered by it at all, according to Dr. Ashley. In some cases, however, the skin gets infected and swollen, and pets will rub their faces on the carpet or other rough surfaces to ease the irritation, says James Pelura III, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Davidsonville, Maryland. If the infection spreads, your pet may get a fever and feel sick as well.

See Your Vet If...

• Your pet is rubbing her face on the floor or on other rough surfaces
  
• Her chin is bumpy, itchy, and sore
  
• She has started acting depressed and lethargic
  
• Your pet is shedding or scratching more than usual
  
• He has scales, bald patches, or a rash
  
• He has severe dandruff or dry skin
  
• His fur is greasy or smelly even after baths
  
• Your pet has broken out in hives and is having trouble breathing
  
• He has a bad sunburn
  
• There has been a significant change in skin color, or the skin seems loose
  
• There is a lump or swelling beneath his skin
  
• Your pet has a sore on the skin that won't heal
  
• The skin of the lips, abdomen, or rectal area is yellow
  
• There are red or purple dots or splotches on his skin

Next Steps:

• What you can do for your pet
  
• What your vet can do
  
• Find out other causes of acne

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