Northlands Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic’s Team on Common Types of Lumps in Cats
Found a lump on your cat? Try not to panic as not every bump is a cause for alarm – but it’s always worth getting it checked out by our vets in Northampton.
Cats can develop all sorts of lumps, from harmless fatty growths to things that may need treatment. Some appear slowly, others seem to pop up from nowhere. Either way, it’s best to find out what you’re dealing with early, so book a consultation to see our veterinary team at Northlands Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic.
Common types of lumps in cats
Here are a few of the more common ones seen by our vets in Northampton:
- Lipomas: Soft, fatty lumps under the skin, often moveable and usually harmless. These are more common in older or overweight cats.
- Cysts: These are fluid or keratin-filled sacs that can appear on the skin or just underneath it. They’re often round, firm and may burst or shrink on their own – but can sometimes get infected.
- Abscesses: These often develop after a cat fight and may feel warm, swollen, and painful. They’re caused by infection and usually need treatment from a vet.
- Warts or skin tags: Small, fleshy lumps that tend to be benign, though it’s important to rule out other causes.
- Tumours: Not all tumours are cancerous, but any fast-growing, irregular, or ulcerated lump should be assessed as soon as possible.
When should I worry?
We recommend getting a check-up with our vets in Northampton if the lump is:
- New or growing quickly
- Hard, fixed in place, or oddly shaped
- Painful or bleeding
- One of several that have appeared suddenly
- Causing your cat to behave unusually (licking it, hiding, etc.)
Northlands Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic’s team may recommend a sample from a fine needle aspiration (FNA), a biopsy, or monitoring depending on the lump’s appearance. The earlier we assess it, the better the outcome – even if it turns out to be nothing to worry about.
Spotted something odd on your cat? Our friendly veterinary team are here to help. Book a vet consultation in Northampton or call us on 01604 478888 – don’t leave it to chance.