Feline mastitis: what to know

In a cat, mastitis can affect one or more mammary glands, often around pregnancy or nursing. The area may become swollen, warm, painful, firm, or discoloured, and milk may look abnormal. The cat may stop eating, seem tired, or avoid her kittens. This is a veterinary problem, not a condition to manage with human medicines or leftover antibiotics. A veterinarian may examine the glands and decide whether treatment, pain relief, or care for the kittens is needed. Do not squeeze the gland or apply products unless instructed.

Arrange a veterinary appointment promptly and describe when the swelling began, whether the cat is nursing, and any change in appetite or behaviour. Keep her in a clean, quiet area and provide water. Follow the veterinarian’s instructions about nursing, expressing milk, dressings, or medication. If your question is actually about breast inflammation while you are breastfeeding, seek human medical advice; a [Lactation Consultation](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/lactation-consultation/) can help with feeding technique and breast drainage.

Seek urgent veterinary care if the gland is dark, blue, black, bleeding, or releasing pus, or if the cat is weak, feverish, vomiting, refusing food, or unable to care for her kittens. For a breastfeeding person, worsening breast redness, severe pain, fever, or feeling very unwell needs same-day medical advice. Read about [Breast Pain](/symptoms/breast-pain/) and [Painful Breastfeeding](/symptoms/painful-breastfeeding/) if those are the symptoms you meant.

For a veterinarian: could this be mastitis, and should the kittens continue nursing? What signs mean the cat needs emergency care? For a breastfeeding clinician: could feeding position or milk stasis be contributing, and what treatment is safe for me?