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What should I do if my cat's mouth is dark?

Cat's mouth dark may be due to dirt, fungal infection, or folliculitis. Owners can try to wipe it with a wet tissue or cotton swab. If the dark spot can be removed, it may be just dirt on the cat's mouth, and there is no need to worry too much. If it cannot be cleaned off or if the skin around the cat's mouth shows symptoms such as hair loss, redness, and itching, it may be caused by fungal infection or folliculitis, and timely consultation with a pet doctor for medication is necessary.

  1. Dirt

If the dark spot on the cat's mouth can be wiped off, it may be dirt collected after playing outside. This is not a big problem. You can use a cotton swab dipped in warm water or a wet tissue to gently wipe it. As long as there are no abnormalities in the skin around the cat's mouth, cleaning it off is enough.

  1. Fungal infection

If the cat has a dark mouth along with symptoms such as hair loss, redness, and itching, it may be a skin disease caused by fungal infection. If conditions permit, it is recommended to take the cat to the pet hospital for a scraping examination. If diagnosed with fungal infection, antibacterial or antifungal sprays or ointments should be applied.

  1. Folliculitis

If the cat's food is oily or plastic bowls are used for feeding, it can cause the skin around the cat's mouth to become dark and have a coal-like substance. This is a manifestation of folliculitis, commonly known as black chin. If not treated in time, it will become inflamed and even suppurate. Therefore, if the cat's symptoms are mild, the owner can treat it by improving the cat's diet and cleaning it with a medicated shampoo. If the symptoms are severe, antibiotics are also required.