Cats are not supposed to have swollen lips.
When this does happen, it’s a real cause for concern as it likely indicates a medical issue. You will want to immediately inspect the cat’s lips, figure out what the root cause is, and consult with a vet.
In some cases, the reason for a cat’s swollen lips might not be clear.
When this happens, it’s important to figure out what’s going on and what might have transpired over the course of the day.
Some reasons for a cat having swollen lips include dental issues, feline acne, allergies, eosinophilic granuloma complex, or cancer. In some cases, it might be a natural injury sustained by the cat.
Regardless of the reason, it’s mandatory to consult with a vet for further diagnosis. This should not be taken lightly as swollen lips in cats can be a serious concern.
Here is a look at some of the main reasons why cats can have swollen lips.
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Reasons Cat Has Swollen Lips
1. Dental Issue
Is the cat refusing to eat during the day? Is it whining when it eats indicating struggle or general pain?
This might point to a potential dental issue the cat is dealing with.
When a cat has a dental abscess (infected gums or tooth rot), it’s possible the cat’s lips will swell in response. It is not a long-term issue but it will cause quite a bit of discomfort for the cat and should be treated by a vet.
Until the swelling goes down, the cat will not have a fun time eating. The pain will also be difficult for the cat to bear.
The best course of action in a situation such as this is to get a vet to give antibiotics. This will help with the underlying infection.
Some vets will also recommend removing the infected tissue or tooth.
2. Allergies
This is a rare cause of swollen lips in cats but it can’t be ignored.
If the cat has an allergic reaction to something whether it’s a food or a natural element, the body will react in different ways.
This can include the cat’s lips swelling up rapidly.
When this does occur, the cat will likely be dealing with inflammation caused by the allergies. This will cause a painful reaction that is spread throughout the body and that includes the lips too.
The most common allergies cats deal with include food-related ones where they eat the wrong food.
The best approach is to see what the allergy is and consult with a vet to get to the bottom of things.
3. Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex
Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex refers to small spots of inflammation on the body. This includes the cat’s lips.
The granulomas will begin to show and this causes the cat’s lips to swell up quickly. You will often recognize this as a lump around the mouth.
How do you treat Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex in cats?
The best way to treat this condition is by using anti-inflammatory drugs to bring the swelling down. This will also help calm the cat down as the discomfort goes away.
4. Feline Acne
When a cat’s hair follicles get inflamed, it’s possible for them to deal with what is known as feline acne.
This is commonly seen around the mouth area including the lips.
When the feline acne is more pronounced, it’s common for the acne to become the reason a cat’s lips begin to swell up quickly.
You will want a vet to inspect the inflamed area(s) to see what is going on around the cat’s lips. This will allow you to learn more about the cat’s body including whether or not it is dealing with allergies.
The best solution for this is to use a topical treatment to help relieve the cat’s discomfort as the inflammation gradually goes away.
5. Cancer
This is a rare reason but it is one that can be included in the list of reasons for a cat’s swollen lips.
When a cat has cancer, it’s possible a tumor will develop along the lower or upper lip. This is what the swelling is from.
In some cases, the tumor is going to be benign and can be removed with the help of a vet.
There are additional treatments available including medications and surgeries depending on the tumor. The vet’s focus is going to be to make the cat’s life as easy as possible moving forward.
Final Thoughts
These are the main reasons your cat has swollen lips.
A cat can have swollen lips due to allergies, feline acne, dental issues, Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex, or cancer.
The best strategy is to consult with a vet to learn more about what is causing the cat’s lips to swell up.
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