Companion Animals

Skin Fold Dermatitis in Cats: Welfare and Surgical Management

Managing skin fold infections in brachycephalic cats and cats with excessive skin.

Key Facts

Persian and other flat-faced cats develop skin fold dermatitis in facial folds
The warm, moist environment in folds promotes bacterial and yeast growth
Regular cleaning reduces welfare impact but does not resolve the underlying cause
Surgical fold removal is curative — the only definitive welfare solution

Welfare Considerations

Skin fold dermatitis causes chronic discomfort — infected, malodorous folds cause pain and reduce quality of life. Welfare-focused management addresses both the infection (topical antimicrobials, antifungals) and the underlying anatomy (surgical fold removal where severity warrants). Selection against extreme brachycephaly in breeding programmes reduces the prevalence of this welfare problem at population level.

What You Can Do

Clean facial folds daily in Persian and flat-faced cats to reduce infection risk
Seek veterinary assessment if folds are persistently inflamed or malodorous
Support breeding reform that selects against extreme facial flattening that causes welfare problems