What Should I Do About My Cat’s Swollen Lip?

Lip swelling causes include the following, according to Dr. Sarah Jacobs, DVM, an emergency veterinarian at Veterinary Emergency Group in Clifton, NJ:

Common Causes of Lip Swelling in Cats:

• Eosinophilic granuloma complex
• An abscess
• Feline acne
• Oral tumors and facial tumors

Not a Cause: If you’re looking to rule out potential reasons for the swelling, the following conditions are infrequently or never the underlying cause of a cat’s swollen lip, according to Dr. Jacobs:

• Autoimmune disease
• Fungal infections
• Stomatitis
• Dental disease or dental problems

Now let’s take a look at each of the four common potential causes, symptoms to look for and possible treatment options. Keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive, and it’s always possible another issue is the underlying cause of your cat’s swollen lip. Check in with your vet.

Eosinophilic granuloma complex, sometimes referred to as a “rodent ulcer,” is a broad name for three different conditions that cats can experience on various body parts.

This skin condition presents itself usually in one of three ways: indolent ulcer, eosinophilic granuloma, or eosinophilic plaque, says Arnold Plotnick, DVM, a now-retired vet who was formerly the founder of Manhattan Cat Specialists, a feline-exclusive veterinary practice in New York City.

The eosinophilic granuloma form “occasionally presents itself as a cat’s ‘fat lip’ involving the lower lip,” he says.

According to Cornell, the most likely cause of an eosinophilic granuloma in a cat is an allergic reaction following a bite from a mosquito, flea or mite. However, other possible causes include pollen, a food allergy, or a reaction to medications such as antibiotics, or those used for heart conditions.

Eosinophilic granuloma complex will resemble a raised lesion, and it can be on the upper and/or bottom lip “at the margin between haired skin and the inside of the mouth,” Dr. Jacobs says.

Eosinophilic granuloma complex treatment generally requires steroids, or other immunomodulatory medications, like Atopica.

An abscess is basically a pocket of pus. Your cat can develop one anywhere on their body.

A skin infection that causes an abscess could be the cause of your cat’s swollen lip when the abscess is around or on their mouth.

An abscess often looks like a swollen lump. If you see it, you may notice it’s red. It can feel either hard or compressible to the touch.

An abscess usually needs lancing and draining, and treatment will include pain meds and antibiotics for your cat.

Feline acne is a bacterial infection of the hair follicles, Dr. Plotnick explains. It occurs when the hair follicles on a cat’s skin become blocked.

Like humans, cats can develop whiteheads and blackheads that can turn into pimples if they experience infected hair follicles. Cat chin acne can be a source of swelling on the cat’s chin, Dr. Plotnick notes, and that can extend and result in a swollen bottom lip.

Feline acne often appears on the cat’s chin. You may notice bumps, but it can also look like spots of dirt. If there’s swelling involved, you should be able to see it.

Feline acne treatment often requires disinfecting or changing the cat’s food bowl at home. A common culprit of feline acne is a dirty food bowl or water bowl.

Bacteria can grow on the bowl and that can infect your cat’s skin. This happens more with plastic bowls than stainless steel bowls. Ceramic dishes can also develop cracks, which can trap bacteria and lead to cat acne.

Your vet may also clean the affected area and trim the firm and apply a topical treatment.

Facial and oral tumors occur when cells begin to grow abnormally on the face or in the mouth. They can be cancerous or non-cancerous, and when they are on or near a cat’s mouth, they can be the source of the cat’s swollen lip.

Because cancer is a scary word, cat lovers who have discovered lip swelling often look up the worst-case scenario. Squamous cell carcinoma, a type of cancer that can be very aggressive, is the most common type of oral tumor in cats and can develop anywhere in their mouth. Squamous cell carcinoma tumors look more like open wounds, Dr. Jacobs says.

Oral tumors and facial tumors can look like open wounds. A cat may also be uncomfortable or unable to close their mouth all the way or they may drop food, according to Dr. Jacobs.

Oral tumors that are potentially cancerous will usually need to be addressed by a specialist, so your vet will make a referral.

Before the appointment, consider your cat’s energy level, appetite and whether the cat is having any issues with food. This information will help your vet, who will examine your cat, including their top lip and bottom lip, and try to determine the culprit. If there’s a lesion, the vet will observe it and see if they can draw any conclusions.

The vet will also evaluate the cat’s response to treatment.

“For example, an eosinophilic granuloma should respond well to immunomodulatory medications/steroids, but a cancerous mass often worsens despite treatment,” Dr. Jacobs says. Symptoms such as oozing, scabbing or open wounds on the face may be a sign of squamous cell carcinoma.

Your cat may need additional tests such as bloodwork, X-rays, a biopsy or fine needle aspirate to nail down the cause of your cat’s lip swelling. A referral to a specialist, like a dermatologist, may also be in order.

Discovering your cat’s swollen lip may feel alarming, but know that your vet can help you get to the bottom of it. While lip swelling isn’t usually an immediate emergency, you should call your vet as soon as possible so they can determine the underlying cause. And while you’re at the vet, consider asking some of these six pet health questions to ensure your feline friend is getting the care they need.

Check in with your veterinarian, since treatment depends on the cause. A swollen cat lip can be associated with eosinophilic granuloma complex, an abscess, feline acne, or facial and oral tumors.

A swollen upper or lower lip on a cat can be associated with eosinophilic granuloma complex, an abscess around or on the mouth, feline acne that extends to the lip, or facial and oral tumors.

There may be other causes so a vet should evaluate the swelling to pinpoint the underlying cause. 

A swollen bottom lip on your cat may is most commonly due to eosinophilic granuloma complex, which can sometimes look like a cat’s “fat lip,” or feline acne on the chin that extends to the bottom lip. Other causes may include an abscess or a  facial or oral tumor. Your veterinarian can determine the cause.