What workarounds did people try for "Unremovable black spots on cat's face"?

Community members documented 73 workarounds: 1. searching online 2. trying giving her a flea bath 3. use a comb and a cup of water and dishwashing soap mixed in to comb them out 4. applying topical treatment to the back of kitty's neck 5. wiping it off very gently with a damp cotton round 6. going to the vet for treatment 7. washing the cat's face every morning 8. Using ceramic bowls 9. Asking online communities for visual identification 10. Consulting a vet to safely examine and remove the bump 11. Checking if the bump will pop out gently at home 12. guessing the cause 13. using over-the-counter medicated shampoos or sprays 14. putting a cone on the cat to stop licking 15. visiting a vet for testing or a biopsy 16. monitoring them to see if they grow larger 17. consulting a vet if they become uncomfortable or need trimming 18. brushing the cat's fur to make the flakes noticeable 19. using a softer brush like silicone 20. taking the cat for professional groomer sessions 21. bathing the cat at home with soap meant for dry skin 22. Searching online image forums to find visual matches for the unknown growth 23. Calling the veterinarian and waiting for a callback 24. Wiping the spots with a paper towel or damp paper towel to check for residue 25. Keeping an eye on the spots to see if they grow, turn red, or cause discomfort 26. Delaying a vet visit due to budget constraints 27. checking the cat's fur and stool 28. changing bowls to stainless steel 29. cleaning the mouth area right after eating 30. using Betadine 10% and Fucicort ointment 31. gently brushing or cleaning with a soft toothbrush or warm wet towel 32. combing through with a flea comb 33. Waiting to have a vet look it over 34. Getting a skin scrape or biopsy 35. Waiting to see how it develops 36. Taking the pet to get checked out by a professional 37. waiting to see if the bump changes size 38. taking the cat to the veterinarian for an examination, biopsy, or removal 39. waiting for a scheduled or upcoming vet appointment 40. inspecting the pet's body further for additional bumps 41. monitoring the growths to see if they grow or change shape 42. Switching from plastic food bowls to other materials 43. Using vet-prescribed cleaning wipes or special shampoos 44. Waiting for the condition to disappear on its own 45. Checking the spot with a black light to see if it glows 46. Waiting to see if the cat stops or continues grooming 47. Visiting a veterinarian for a professional diagnosis 48. Trying to take pictures or videos of the spot 49. Waiting to see if it heals on its own 50. Planning a veterinary visit 51. Taking the dog to the vet for an examination 52. Preventing the dog from licking the affected area to avoid infection 53. cleaning the spots off with a damp or warm paper towel 54. switching to stainless steel or ceramic food bowls 55. investigating whether the spots are cat acne, freckles, or harmless discharge 56. Switching cat food in case it is an allergic reaction 57. Hiding electrical cords 58. Getting on a cancellation waitlist at the vet 59. Switching from plastic water bowls to ceramic or stainless steel bowls 60. monitoring the lump for changes in size, shape, color, or texture 61. seeking a second opinion from a different veterinarian 62. leaving it alone if the cat shows no signs of pain or discomfort 63. trying to clean the spots with a wet paper towel 64. monitoring the spots to see if anything changes before deciding to visit the vet 65. Guessing potential causes like allergies or insect bites 66. Having a vet pop the buildup like a zit 67. Squeezing them out at home and cleaning the area with an alcohol wipe or diluted betadine 68. Keeping an eye on the area to ensure it heals properly 69. Deterring the cat from shoving its face through screens or carriers 70. Switch from plastic food and water bowls to stainless steel or ceramic bowls 71. Change the cat's water bowl more frequently 72. Use special cleaning wipes prescribed by a vet to clean the cat's chin 73. Wash the fur around the chin

Unremovable black spots on cat's face

These unremovable black spots are often feline acne or localized skin pigmentation rather than flea dirt, which typically washes away easily. Because cats with these spots cannot be easily wiped and owners want to avoid stressful vet trips for minor issues, distinguishing between harmless marks and conditions requiring treatment becomes a primary concern.

Overview

Last updated Nov 1, 2026

People affected42 accounts across 2 forums

Workarounds found73 items attempted

Community agreement426 total upvotes

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

Most of it landed at once — the busiest month was September 2026, with 31 people.
This comes up 14.7× more often in r/cats than across the site as a whole.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

73 items+ Contribute

Found another way around this?

Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.

1
searching online
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
2
trying giving her a flea bath
Did this help you?
3
use a comb and a cup of water and dishwashing soap mixed in to comb them out
Did this help you?
4
applying topical treatment to the back of kitty's neck
Did this help you?
5
wiping it off very gently with a damp cotton round
Did this help you?
6
going to the vet for treatment
Did this help you?
7
washing the cat's face every morning
Did this help you?
8
Using ceramic bowls
Did this help you?
9
Asking online communities for visual identification
Did this help you?
10
Consulting a vet to safely examine and remove the bump
Did this help you?
11
Checking if the bump will pop out gently at home
Did this help you?
12
guessing the cause
Did this help you?
13
using over-the-counter medicated shampoos or sprays
Did this help you?
14
putting a cone on the cat to stop licking
Did this help you?
15
visiting a vet for testing or a biopsy
Did this help you?
16
monitoring them to see if they grow larger
Did this help you?
17
consulting a vet if they become uncomfortable or need trimming
Did this help you?
18
brushing the cat's fur to make the flakes noticeable
Did this help you?
19
using a softer brush like silicone
Did this help you?
20
taking the cat for professional groomer sessions
Did this help you?
21
bathing the cat at home with soap meant for dry skin
Did this help you?
22
Searching online image forums to find visual matches for the unknown growth
Did this help you?
23
Calling the veterinarian and waiting for a callback
Did this help you?
24
Wiping the spots with a paper towel or damp paper towel to check for residue
Did this help you?
25
Keeping an eye on the spots to see if they grow, turn red, or cause discomfort
Did this help you?
26
Delaying a vet visit due to budget constraints
Did this help you?
27
checking the cat's fur and stool
Did this help you?
28
changing bowls to stainless steel
Did this help you?
29
cleaning the mouth area right after eating
Did this help you?
30
using Betadine 10% and Fucicort ointment
Did this help you?
31
gently brushing or cleaning with a soft toothbrush or warm wet towel
Did this help you?
32
combing through with a flea comb
Did this help you?
33
Waiting to have a vet look it over
Did this help you?
34
Getting a skin scrape or biopsy
Did this help you?
35
Waiting to see how it develops
Did this help you?
36
Taking the pet to get checked out by a professional
Did this help you?
37
waiting to see if the bump changes size
Did this help you?
38
taking the cat to the veterinarian for an examination, biopsy, or removal
Did this help you?
39
waiting for a scheduled or upcoming vet appointment
Did this help you?
40
inspecting the pet's body further for additional bumps
Did this help you?
41
monitoring the growths to see if they grow or change shape
Did this help you?
42
Switching from plastic food bowls to other materials
Did this help you?
43
Using vet-prescribed cleaning wipes or special shampoos
Did this help you?
44
Waiting for the condition to disappear on its own
Did this help you?
45
Checking the spot with a black light to see if it glows
Did this help you?
46
Waiting to see if the cat stops or continues grooming
Did this help you?
47
Visiting a veterinarian for a professional diagnosis
Did this help you?
48
Trying to take pictures or videos of the spot
Did this help you?
49
Waiting to see if it heals on its own
Did this help you?
50
Planning a veterinary visit
Did this help you?
51
Taking the dog to the vet for an examination
Did this help you?
52
Preventing the dog from licking the affected area to avoid infection
Did this help you?
53
cleaning the spots off with a damp or warm paper towel
Did this help you?
54
switching to stainless steel or ceramic food bowls
Did this help you?
55
investigating whether the spots are cat acne, freckles, or harmless discharge
Did this help you?
56
Switching cat food in case it is an allergic reaction
Did this help you?
57
Hiding electrical cords
Did this help you?
58
Getting on a cancellation waitlist at the vet
Did this help you?
59
Switching from plastic water bowls to ceramic or stainless steel bowls
Did this help you?
60
monitoring the lump for changes in size, shape, color, or texture
Did this help you?
61
seeking a second opinion from a different veterinarian
Did this help you?
62
leaving it alone if the cat shows no signs of pain or discomfort
Did this help you?
63
trying to clean the spots with a wet paper towel
Did this help you?
64
monitoring the spots to see if anything changes before deciding to visit the vet
Did this help you?
65
Guessing potential causes like allergies or insect bites
Did this help you?
66
Having a vet pop the buildup like a zit
Did this help you?
67
Squeezing them out at home and cleaning the area with an alcohol wipe or diluted betadine
Did this help you?
68
Keeping an eye on the area to ensure it heals properly
Did this help you?
69
Deterring the cat from shoving its face through screens or carriers
Did this help you?
70
Switch from plastic food and water bowls to stainless steel or ceramic bowls
Did this help you?
71
Change the cat's water bowl more frequently
Did this help you?
72
Use special cleaning wipes prescribed by a vet to clean the cat's chin
Did this help you?
73
Wash the fur around the chin
Did this help you?

Tried another approach not listed above?+ Share your workaround ↑

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/cats41 people · September 2026 – November 2026

“I shaved the area and used Curesept Aqua spray as recommended by a vet, but there was no improvement. It actually seemed to get worse, and I later noticed another black area above his mouth.”source ↗

“I’m not sure what’s causing this, so I’d really appreciate some help.”source ↗

razioi · r/cats · 35 upvotes

“Hi! I'm curious as to what is causing these black spots on my cats nose. It comes and goes. Occasionally, it'll be on her lips too.”source ↗

mrsseaguardiian · r/cats · 33 upvotes

“my moms tuxedo kitten (\~7 months old) started developing a black spot on her nose about two weeks ago. it was gradually getting bigger. yesterday morning my mom noticed it was smaller, then by last night it had completely vanished!!!”source ↗

“we thought it was a genuine spot but now we don’t know? maybe a scab or something? we never noticed an injury or anything like that.”source ↗

RaspberryNearby5 · r/cats · 30 upvotes

“I gently squeezed the skin around it, and this THING came out, dry and solid on the darker side (hence the poke), and soft white tissue at the end. It was like a giant blackhead or something.”source ↗

PrincessGoop · r/cats · 28 upvotes

“She’s 12. I am getting her checked soon but I wanted to ask as I wanted to know whether these are normal.”source ↗

“She never goes outside but the one in her head I am not sure, cause it could be ticks or an illness/injury.”source ↗

coolkindness · r/cats · 23 upvotes

“Yeah it’s nip goop. My guys would get full in one and the vet would pop it like a zit for us.”source ↗

CloverClover97 · r/cats · 21 upvotes

“Well I found her VERY recently (only a week before) and she was like that since I brought her in. I just noticed that thing 2 or 3 days ago cuz she's very scared of me and wouldn't go outside her house no matter what”source ↗

BinLadenWasAFaker · r/cats · 20 upvotes

“Inverted nipple oil goop. They produce oil to keep them protected (like us). Nothing is wrong. My cat has 2 of them.”source ↗

Glittering_East1730 · r/cats · 18 upvotes

“my cat used to have a white chin but over the last couple of months she developed this brown spot on her chin.”source ↗

“my friend suggested that it might be cat acne. so now i’m doubting if this is it.”source ↗

girlandcatanddog · r/cats · 18 upvotes

“I was removing a mat near the tail and found this warty thing. It has an opening in the center and does not resemble a skin tag. I thought scar? Worm?”source ↗

“I called my vet but they haven't called back. I am wondering if any of you have had similar skin issues.”source ↗

Groovyjoker · r/cats · 13 upvotes

“I couldn't really get a clear picture or video because he just moves every time I try. It's been on him for a few days and feels like it's something on the skin/attached to it rather than something I can just pick off like dried food that got there somehow. Back of the neck, small, firm kinda? I can't get a good look at it because of his fur and constant movement. He's about 5 weeks old”source ↗

xxloevie · r/cats · 12 upvotes

“I haven't because she is ✨spicy✨ and will tear me up lol but it's enough I'll have to investigate”source ↗

mrsseaguardiian · r/cats · 11 upvotes

“My borderline identical kitten is constantly trying to shove her face through things (screen, carrier) and rubs the skin right off the tip of her nose.”source ↗

dianthus-magenta · r/cats · 11 upvotes

“Happened to my cat too.”source ↗

Hippieinarobotworld · r/cats · 10 upvotes

“My cat Wendall ( 14 years old ) has always had this little knub on his face , as long as I can remember for at least a few years I’d say .”source ↗

Lat03 · r/cats · 9 upvotes

“This has been coming and going for a month or two”source ↗

“It’s hard to get a good picture of it”source ↗

mazzuccoqi · r/cats · 9 upvotes

“Ive noticed these little white things appeared on his front toe pads, and im assuming they are callouses. They are really hard and dry and only on the front paws, i dont notice any on his back paws and im just curious as to what they could be”source ↗

Radiant_Ad2032 · r/cats · 8 upvotes

“It appeared out of the blue no dietary or behavioural changes noted. I am very worried, she is 7 months old and has all of the vaccines needed so shouldn’t be anything like that.”source ↗

Miserable_Educator31 · r/cats · 8 upvotes

“I noticed my boy licking at his belly a lot so I decided to take a look, theres these little red patches here and was wondering if anyone can tell me what this might be and what could be causing it?”source ↗

“How can I help this?”source ↗

Impossible_Nail9728 · r/cats · 8 upvotes

“My cat has had a small pimple-like bump near the base of his tail for a week now.”source ↗

“My cat had a similar pimple on his tail. It got bigger, so a took him to the vet.”source ↗

impaired_attic · r/cats · 7 upvotes

“What is this mark? I have heard is might cat acne but let me know he eats from a stainless bowl that I clean daily.”source ↗

Fresh_Heron_3707 · r/cats · 7 upvotes

“couple months ago he got this weird black pimples around his eyes and under his nose that can't be wiped.”source ↗

“I wanted to know if these pimples are something to be concerned about before we stress the old man with a long trip to the vet.”source ↗

TrickNerve6004 · r/cats · 6 upvotes

“So my lad Ares is 7 years old, and has had this little mark on his chin for a few months now.”source ↗

DarkLuxio92 · r/cats · 6 upvotes

“It almost looks and feels like an extremely clogged pore, but really hard. Like a blackhead full of packed dirt.”source ↗

“He seems to be doing fine but I’m still a little worried. Any thoughts?”source ↗

abstractiish · r/cats · 6 upvotes

“I just noticed this spot on my cat. It must be pretty new.. maybe a week tops.”source ↗

VastZealousideal5185 · r/cats · 6 upvotes

“tonight i noticed something when i was checking my cat to make sure there was no poop in his hair (he’s a long hair) i noticed these little light brown specks and a quick google search said possible worms?”source ↗

mangocat2480 · r/cats · 6 upvotes

“I have never noticed this on my tom cat before! How in the hell did he even do that?!”source ↗

“I made him a vet appt but she says it’s gonna be a three week wait :/”source ↗

LoveLyndsey420 · r/cats · 5 upvotes

“I'm talking about the pink spot on his upper lip. He's 9 months old, doesn't seem to be in pain and he eats and plays normally but it's new. I can't find anything on the internet and in a few days I'm gonna be going away for a while so I would like to get a better idea of what it is before I leave.”source ↗

Icy-Resist-2364 · r/cats · 4 upvotes

“My cat had this then something brown started to grow out of it its a cutanious horn i think the vet said”source ↗

Difficult_Falcon_109 · r/cats · 4 upvotes

“does anyone know what this growth on the tip of my cat’s toe pad is? it’s a bit hard kind of like a nail.”source ↗

MarigoldField18 · r/cats · 4 upvotes

“she has a BUNCH of these little white spots on the dorky little bald patch near the ear”source ↗

“Is it a medical condition or just random harmless spotting?”source ↗

Unknown_Code101 · r/cats · 4 upvotes

“i called my vet and described what i saw they immediately jumped to tapeworms and i don’t think that’s what this is.”source ↗

“google said it could be cat lice. what do you guys think?”source ↗

“anybody else’s cat ever had this?”source ↗

Fabulous_Mechanic504 · r/cats · 3 upvotes

“anyone got any idea what these are? There’s none anywhere else just these three spots and I’m entirely unsure what they are and whether to be concerned.”source ↗

MelMartinezFan · r/cats · 3 upvotes

“My senior kitty had two small fleshy lumps, one at the base of his neck and one on the top of his foot.”source ↗

barbatus_vulture · r/cats · 3 upvotes

“I don’t know if it’s ringworm or not. Maybe it’s just irritation.”source ↗

“I have noticed her itching a bit more, but she is on flea meds so I’m not sure if it could be fleas or what.”source ↗

OminousPercussions · r/cats · 3 upvotes

“Hi, I recently noticed this black spots on my cats nose and near eye. I don't think it hurts him, he doesn't have a problem with me touching it. Same thing goes to those dots near his eye, but I have no idea what is going on. I was trying to clean it but nothing happens :( Should I go with him to the vet? Or just wait?”source ↗

Dark_Soul55555 · r/cats · 3 upvotes

“i’m stressed about it and so does he”source ↗

razioi · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“I'm just a little concerned about it”source ↗

xxloevie · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“Hey I had the similar scab looking thing on my cat and took him to the vet just a couple weeks ago.”source ↗

“For me I had brought a stray cat home and fed him and I think they had a fight and this same cat gave my cat fleas so I had to put medication on him. Stupid decision on my end but everything is good now.”source ↗

Aggressive_Bowler782 · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“She has a stainless steel water bowl and ceramic food bowl. They're both shared with my other 2 cats, this doesn't happen to them though”source ↗

mrsseaguardiian · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“Yeah it’s mostly the part above her nose that is weird. Like the other comment said it could be boogers but it being on top of her nose too is interesting.”source ↗

thrownaboutokay · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“has anyone ever noticed a bump/lump like this on their cat?”source ↗

“My cat is around 3 1/2 or 4 but he’s had this since he was a kitten. I got him from the shelter and they never mentioned it so i don’t think it’s anything to worry about but it hasn’t gone away and it doesn’t grow.”source ↗

“It only changed size as he got bigger as if it’s just part of him. It doesn’t hurt him when I touch him and he acts like a normal cat but I just wanted to know if anyone has seen something like this before?”source ↗

extremekoda · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“One of my cats will scrape up her nose really bad on her carrier anytime she has to go to the vet. The scab looked almost exactly the one on this cat.”source ↗

shinyidolomantis · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“My cat has some if i peel away his coat to check his skin.”source ↗

Shinodacs · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“Not in our budget but I’ll keep an eye on it like said, thanks for the advice”source ↗

MelMartinezFan · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“i’m pretty sure the thing in her chin isn’t a tick but not sure what it is, or what the other thing is either, so ill get her checked out”source ↗

coolkindness · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“We’ve been to the vet but because it was there when he was a kitten they don’t think it was anything to be worried about but i’ll find a different vet to go to and get another opinion”source ↗

extremekoda · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“my two cats have one of these- doesn't seem to hurt or bother them. If that changes then i will take them to Vet.”source ↗

clipped_wings14 · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“Oh I didn't know that, I had a few cats and that's the first time I see this. He's two years old so maybe that's it”source ↗

Dark_Soul55555 · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“I mean they are definitely not raised, but they appeared just a few days ago. I think I'll just keep looking at him and if something changes we'll go to the vet”source ↗

Dark_Soul55555 · r/cats · 1 upvotes

r/dogs1 person · September 2026

“This just appeared recently and he has been licking it and when I touch it he gets annoyed. It has been there for the past week and hasn’t been getting better.”source ↗

OpenRespond4700 · r/dogs