Expert: Jessica - 1/18/2012

Question
First off, I have two cats. I recently noticed that both of them have tiny black flecks on their chins and upon closer inspection, what looked like tiny blackhead clogged pores. I read some of your older answers and I think it may be due to the porcelain bowls that I use for them. I am now planning on switching to metal bowls ASAP. Do you think that the metal bowls will help the acne go away on its own? Should I gently cleanse their chins with antibacterial soap on a wet cloth?
Secondly, my older cat, Kiki, has hair loss on the backs of her front legs. I noticed it about 6 months ago. All of the hair is significantly shorter from the surrounding fur, it's down to patchy bits of baby fuzz and I can see her calico colored skin. When I try to look at it closer, she gets really upset and tense (she hates to be manhandled in anyway as she used to be feral) I'm really stumped about it. I was thinking that it could be a stress reaction, although I'm not sure to what. She was completely feral when I got her but she's really friendly now (when she wants to be). I've been giving her more attention lately, thinking that it would help soothe her, I've seen some hair grow back, but it's still pretty bad! I haven't noticed any incessant grooming, but sometimes she hides out for long periods of time so she could be. I worry for her and this hair loss. If it is a stress reaction, are there things I can do to ease her stress? Are there other things that could cause this kind of hair loss? I hope it's not serious or life threatening.
She has been a really great friend to be so any opinion/answer you have is valuable to us. Even if you just tell me to go to the vet, I appreciate your time!
Thanks,
Alex

Answer
Hi Alex,

Switching to stainless steel bowls will likely be enough to resolve the feline acne, but be sure they're stainless steel and not some other metal. Aluminum and softer metals scratch just as easily as plastic and don't have the hypo-allergenic qualities that stainless steel does. If the cats tolerate it well, a mild antibacterial soap diluted with water won't hurt to wash with once a day.

As for the fur missing on the BACK of the front legs, this is an unusual spot for fur to disappear as a stress response. If a cat is stressed, she will usually lick fur off on the front of her front legs. For fur to be missing on the back of her front legs would suggest that she is more likely scratching them with her hind legs, indicating itchiness. The most common reason for this is allergies, either to a food ingredient, fleas or something in the environment. But there can be other reasons like mites or autoimmune conditions.

If you happened to switch foods around the time you noticed to the problem, she may be reacting to an ingredient in the new food. Still, cats can develop allergies to foods they've eaten for years. Also, even indoor cats can get one flea bite - enough to cause an allergic reaction. Your safest bet is to keep a flea preventative on them, just in case. To get to the bottom of this one, you'll probably need to work by process of elimination with the help of your vet.

Good luck!
Jessica