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Why does my older cat have a red, bleeding lump on his chin?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

hey my cat has a red lump on his chin , he's older and it looks like it was bleeding at some point ? seems to have yellowing around it.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on December 2nd, 2017

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 29th, 2022
It could be a cyst, infection, or a cutaneous tumor, possibly a mast cell tumor. The only way to determine the exact cause is to have your vet exam your cat and perform a fine needle aspirate and/or biopsy, if indicated.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on September 7th, 2017
It may be chin acne or a mass of some kind. Without a physical exam, it is difficult to determine. You can monitor it for rapid change or growth then see your veterinarian if necessary or you can have Jesse examined sooner. Either way, your vet may perform a fine needle aspirate of the lump to collect a sample for pathology. If it is chin acne, an aspirate will not be necessary as it can be treated topically in most cases.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 30th, 2018
I am sorry to hear about your kitty! There are several different possibilities we could have here, including an eosinophilic granuloma, a fungal kerion from ringworm, a bacterial infection causing a small abscess or infected hair follicle, and less likely a skin tumor. I would make an appointment for your vet to examine Nova, to try to determine what is causing this lesion and start treatment to help her!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 7th, 2017
Hello! Thank you for using Pet Coach! Judging from the pictures and your description, it looks like and sounds like it could be one of several possibilities. This could be feline acne, but it is slightly farther back than flare ups typically occur. An abscess is another possibility or a tumor of some type. This is something I would have a veterinarian examine and do further testing on. A vet can insert a needle into the mass and pull out cells or material in order to help determine what it could possibly be. I hope this helps. Please contact me if you have any further questions / concerns.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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