6 Causes of Swollen Lip in Cats

Does your cat have a swollen lip? Do you know what this could mean? Is a swollen lip ever a serious problem for cats, or is it something that will go away on its own eventually?

In the article below, we’ll help you learn more about swollen lips in cats. We’ll explain some of the most common causes of this symptom and make it easier to understand which issue could potentially be affecting your pet. Remember to talk to your vet for more specific information about your cat’s individual health needs as well.

Dental Abscess

Cats may sometimes experience dental abscesses. These may occur as a result of an infection or injury in the mouth, or they may sometimes happen for no underlying reason at all.

If a dental abscess occurs near the lips, it may cause swelling of the lips as well. You will likely be able to see the abscess by looking into your cat’s mouth. This problem will require help from the vet to treat, as the abscess needs to be examined and either drained or removed.

Oral Tumor

Oral tumors come in a variety of types and levels of severity. Some tumors are benign, while others may be cancerous. Cancerous tumors within the mouth will need to be removed if possible, and your cat may need to undergo cancer treatments to prevent them from recurring.

Benign tumors in the mouth may not always need to be removed. However, if your cat has a benign tumor that is large enough to cause lip swelling, it is likely going to be in the way when she eats, and will need to be removed. Your vet can give you more information.

Infected Tooth

If one of your cat’s front teeth becomes infected, damaged, broken, or rotten, it may lead to swelling of the surrounding tissue. And if that tissue includes the lips, this problem may lead to lip swelling as well.

If you suspect your cat may have a damaged or infected tooth contributing to her swollen lip, see if you can get a good look at the tooth. This way, you can check whether or not there is any visible damage. Keep in mind, however, that some infections may not be visible and will require a vet to diagnose and treat them instead.

Food Allergy

Although less common than some other causes on this list, food allergy may still sometimes cause swollen lips in cats. If your cat eats something she is allergic to, her lips may swell very quickly after eating the food item in question. This is a temporary swelling that will go down after the allergic reaction has passed.

In the event that your cat’s lips swell from a food allergy, however, you need to take her to the emergency vet. Swelling of the lips can quickly become swelling of the mouth, nose, and throat, all of which may contribute to airway obstruction if left untreated.

Injury

Injuries of the lips, teeth, and gums may sometimes cause swelling as well. Cats may become scratched or bitten on the lip if they get into fights with other cats. It is also possible that your cat could suffer a mouth injury like this from playing with household objects she shouldn’t.

Whatever the cause of the injury might be, you will likely need to take your cat to the vet to have her lip examined. From there, the vet can help you choose the best treatment method to resolve the issue. Your cat will likely also need antibiotics to prevent secondary infection.

Eosinophilic Granuloma

Finally, eosinophilic granuloma is another common cause of swelling in a cat’s lip. This problem causes large, oozing, boil-like sores that lead to swelling. The condition is a systemic one that affects the cat’s immune system, and these sores may occur anywhere on the body—not just on the lips.

This condition is caused when a cat’s immune system triggers an allergic response without the presence of any actual allergen. It can sometimes happen as a result of flea bites, but this is not the only potential cause. Your cat will need steroids and antibiotics to treat this problem.

Conclusion

Based on this information, it’s easy to see why swollen lips can sometimes be concerning in cats. Many of the potential underlying causes are moderate to severe problems that will require vet help to treat or manage. The good news is that most of these problems can be either corrected or halted if you respond to them quickly enough.

Make sure to check your cat’s mouth and gums frequently to look for signs of issues like those we’ve discussed here. The sooner you catch problems with your cat’s mouth, the faster you can take her to the vet and get started treating the issue.