# Lipoma in Cats: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment A lipoma in cats is a benign tumor made of fat cells. Most feel like soft, movable lumps under the skin and do not spread or threaten your cat's health. Some lipomas grow inside the body or into nearby tissue, and those cases need more attention. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Most lipomas are harmless fatty tumors that do not need to be removed, especially in older cats [1]. - A soft, movable lump is more likely to be a lipoma, but only a veterinarian can tell for sure. - Fine needle aspiration is the usual first test. It samples cells without surgery. - Surgery is the main treatment when a lipoma grows fast, causes discomfort, or turns out to be something else [1]. - Infiltrative lipomas grow into muscle or other tissue and are harder to remove completely than simple fatty lipomas. ## What Is a Lipoma in Cats? A lipoma is a tumor that forms from fat cells. In cats, most lipomas sit in the layer of fat just under the skin. They are benign, which means they do not spread to other parts of the body the way cancer does. Vets sometimes call these fatty lipomas. The name describes what they are made of, not how they behave. A fatty lipoma is the same thing as a simple lipoma. Lipomas can also form in places you cannot see or feel from the outside. Veterinarians have reported lipomas inside the stomach wall, the colon, and even bone[2]. These deep lipomas are rare. They usually cause problems because of where they sit, not because the fat cells are dangerous. One important point: a lump that looks like a lipoma is not always a lipoma. In one reported case, a cat had a firm chest mass that was suspected to be a lipoma. Surgery revealed a plaque-like lipoma sitting on top of a well-differentiated liposarcoma, which is a malignant fat tumor [3]. That is why testing matters. ## Lipoma in Cats Symptoms: What You Will Notice ### Lumps you can feel The most common sign is a soft lump under the skin. It usually moves freely when you push it. It often feels squishy instead of firm. Many cats have more than one. Lipomas tend to grow slowly. Some stay the same size for years. Others get bigger over months. ### Signs tied to location A lipoma in an awkward spot can cause other problems. A lipoma pressing on a limb may cause limping. A lipoma in the belly can cause vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or a swollen abdomen [4][5]. One cat with a colonic lipoma had two weeks of lethargy, poor appetite, and alternating diarrhea and constipation [4]. Another cat with a gastric lipoma was seen for chronic constipation [5]. ### Signs that are not typical for a simple lipoma Watch for a lump that is firm, fixed in place, growing quickly, or painful. Also watch for weight loss, decreased appetite, or lameness that does not improve. A 15-year-old cat with a lipoma in the shoulder blade had months of poor appetite, weight loss, and mild lameness [2]. If you notice any of these, book a veterinary visit. Skin lumps in cats can also be infections, cysts, or other tumors. A cat skin infection can look like a lump or sore, and it needs different treatment. ## Lipoma in Cats Causes and Risk Factors Vets do not know exactly why some cats develop lipomas. The basic process is that fat cells multiply when they should not. What triggers that is not fully understood. ### Age Lipomas are seen most often in middle-aged and older cats. The reported cases include cats aged 7, 9, 15, and 16 years[3][2][4]. Older cats are also the group where vets are most likely to leave a benign lump alone [1]. ### Body condition and metabolism Extra body fat may play a role, though the link is not proven. One dog with an abdominal lipoma also had high blood lipids and an underactive thyroid [6]. That was a dog, not a cat, so do not assume the same applies to your cat. Still, keeping your cat at a healthy weight is good for many reasons. ### Genetics and breed There is no confirmed breed pattern for lipomas in cats. Some tumors, like the malignant plasmacytoma reported at a vaccination site in a Bengal cat, have been linked to injection sites, but that was a different tumor type [7]. Lipomas are not known to form at vaccine sites in cats. ### Infiltrative lipoma in cats An infiltrative lipoma is a lipoma that grows into nearby tissue, such as muscle. It is still made of fat cells, and it still does not spread to distant organs. The problem is local. It weaves into normal tissue, so a surgeon cannot easily pull it out in one clean piece. These tumors are more likely to grow back after surgery. ## How Vets Tell a Lipoma From Other Lumps ### Physical exam Your vet will feel the lump. They will note its size, texture, and whether it moves. They will check the rest of your cat's body for other lumps. ### Fine needle aspiration This is the most common first step. Your vet inserts a thin needle into the lump, pulls out a few cells, and looks at them under a microscope. Fat cells have a distinct look. If the sample is clearly fat, the diagnosis is often made right there. ### Imaging If the lump is inside the body, your vet may use ultrasound or CT. On ultrasound, a lipoma in a dog appeared as a bright, uniform structure with clear borders [6]. A gastric lipoma in a cat showed up as a focal mass in the stomach wall without loss of the normal wall layers [5]. CT can show a mass with the same density as fat [6][4]. ### Biopsy and histopathology Sometimes cells from a needle are not enough. A biopsy removes a piece of tissue so a pathologist can examine the full structure. This is how vets confirm a lipoma, an infiltrative lipoma, or a liposarcoma [3][4]. ### Newer tools Researchers have used short-wave infrared fluorescence imaging during surgery to tell benign fat from malignant tissue in a cat [3]. Machine learning combined with ultrasound and optical imaging has also been tested to separate benign lipomas from mast cell tumors and sarcomas [8]. These tools are not yet standard in every clinic, but they show where diagnosis is heading. | Test | What it does | When it is used | |---|---|---| | Physical exam | Feels the lump and checks the whole body | First visit | | Fine needle aspiration | Samples cells with a thin needle | Most lumps | | Ultrasound | Shows depth, size, and tissue pattern | Internal or deep lumps | | CT scan | Maps the mass and nearby organs | Planning surgery | | Biopsy | Removes tissue for lab analysis | When cells are unclear | ## Lipoma in Cats Treatment: What Are the Options? ### Monitoring For a benign lipoma that is not ulcerated and does not interfere with your cat's normal routine, treatment may not be needed at all. This can be the most sensible choice, especially in older cats [1]. Your vet will likely recheck the lump at regular visits to make sure it is not changing. ### Surgery Surgery is the most effective, least costly option with the fewest side effects for most tumors that need treatment [1]. For a simple lipoma, the surgeon removes the lump and a small margin of normal tissue. For an infiltrative lipoma, the surgeon may need to take a wider margin, and complete removal may not be possible. If a tumor cannot be removed completely, partial removal can still help your cat live longer and feel better [1]. ### Other options Laser treatment and cryotherapy (freezing) can be used for small, superficial, benign tumors [1]. Radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended for tumors that cannot be fully removed or that turn out to be malignant [1]. Your vet will pick the approach that fits your cat's age, health, and the tumor's location. ### What about liposarcoma? A liposarcoma is a malignant fat tumor. It is much less common than a lipoma. In one case, a cat with a chest mass had both a lipoma and a liposarcoma removed, and the cat recovered with no recurrence at 11 months [3]. That outcome shows that early, complete surgery can work well. ## Recovery, Outlook, and Long-Term Management Recovery after lipoma surgery is usually quick. Most cats go home the same day or the next day. You will need to keep the incision clean and stop your cat from licking it. Your vet will give you specific instructions. For a simple lipoma, the outlook is excellent. These tumors do not spread. Once removed, they rarely come back. For an infiltrative lipoma, the outlook is more guarded. Regrowth is possible because the tumor grows into normal tissue. Your vet may recommend rechecks every few months to catch any changes early. For internal lipomas, recovery depends on what was involved. One cat with a colonic lipoma had surgery to remove part of the colon and was doing well nine months later with no return of signs [4]. Another cat with a lipoma in the shoulder blade had the scapula removed and regained use of the limb [2]. Keep an eye on your cat's appetite, energy, and bathroom habits after any surgery. A drop in appetite in a cat can be serious. Feline hepatic lipidosis is a liver condition that can develop when a cat stops eating, so call your vet if your cat refuses food for more than a day. ## Can You Prevent Lipomas in Cats? There is no proven way to prevent lipomas. No diet, supplement, or lifestyle change has been shown to stop them from forming. What you can do: - Keep your cat at a healthy weight. - Check your cat's body once a month for new lumps. - Note the size and location of any lump you find. - Keep up with routine veterinary visits, especially as your cat gets older. - Mention any new lump at your next appointment, or sooner if it is growing. If your cat has other skin problems, such as a cat ear hematoma or Demodex in cats, those need their own treatment. They are not related to lipomas, but they can also cause lumps or swelling that worry owners. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can tell you what your cat's lump is. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat and runs the right tests can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian. **Contact your vet the same day if:** - A lump appeared suddenly and is growing fast. - The lump is firm, fixed, or painful. - Your cat is limping or reluctant to move. - Your cat has lost weight or stopped eating. - The lump is red, warm, or draining. **Go to an emergency clinic now if:** - Your cat is struggling to breathe. - Your cat is vomiting repeatedly or cannot keep water down. - Your cat is collapsed, weak, or unresponsive. - You see a large amount of bleeding from the lump. **Book a routine visit if:** - You find a new soft lump and your cat seems fine otherwise. - An existing lump has changed size or shape. - Your cat has a lump that has been there for months but was never checked. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is a lipoma in cats cancer? No, a lipoma is not cancer. It is a benign tumor made of fat cells. It does not spread to other organs the way malignant tumors do. That said, some malignant tumors can look like lipomas, so a vet should check any new lump. ### Can a lipoma in cats go away on its own? No, a lipoma will not disappear on its own. It may stay the same size for years or grow slowly. If it is not causing problems, your vet may suggest leaving it alone and watching it. ### Does my cat need surgery for a lipoma? Not always. Benign lipomas that do not bother your cat often need no treatment, especially in older cats. Surgery is recommended when the lump grows quickly, causes pain or movement problems, or cannot be confirmed as benign. ### Can a lipoma come back after removal? A simple lipoma rarely comes back after complete removal. An infiltrative lipoma is more likely to regrow because it grows into nearby muscle and tissue. Your vet may recommend regular rechecks to monitor the area. ### Are fatty lipomas in cats dangerous? Simple fatty lipomas are not dangerous. They are harmless fat deposits. The risk comes from lumps that are not actually lipomas, or from lipomas in spots where they press on organs or block the intestines. Testing is the only way to know which type you are dealing with. ## Related Articles - [Cat Ear Hematoma: Causes and Treatment](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-ear-hematoma) - [Cat Skin Infection: Signs and Treatment Options](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-skin-infection) - [Feline Hepatic Lipidosis: Diagnosis and Management](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/feline-hepatic-lipidosis-diagnosis-management) - [Demodex in Cats: Feline Demodicosis Diagnosis and Treatment](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasite-control/demodex-in-cats-feline-demodicosis-diagnosis-and-treatment) - [Pancreatitis In Cats Symptoms](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/pancreatitis-in-cats-symptoms) - [FIP in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and How It Is Treated Today](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/fip-in-cats-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment) - [Skin Cancer in Cats: Signs, Treatment, and Outlook](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/cat-skin-cancer-signs-treatment) - [Hemangiosarcoma in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prognosis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/hemangiosarcoma-in-cats) - [Cat Bump on the Lip or Mouth: Causes and Next Steps](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-bump-on-lip-mouth) ## References 1. [Tumors of the Skin in Cats - Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/skin-disorders-of-cats/tumors-of-the-skin-in-cats). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Rare diagnosis of intraosseous lipoma in the scapula of a 15-year-old domestic shorthair cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37197686/). JFMS open reports, 2023. 3. [Intraoperative visualization of feline liposarcoma using short-wave infrared fluorescence imaging and indocyanine green](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40500172/). The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2025. 4. [Colo-colonic intussusception secondary to a giant colonic submucosal lipoma in a cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41328445/). JFMS open reports, 2025. 5. [Ultrasonographic features of a gastric submucosal lipoma in a cat: A case study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39219613/). The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 2024. 6. [Ultrasonographic and computed tomographic findings of an intra-abdominal lipoma in a dog](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41557112/). Veterinary research communications, 2026. 7. [A Rare Case of Malignant Plasmacytoma at a Previous Injection Site in a Cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42076756/). Veterinary sciences, 2026. 8. [Differentiation of canine and feline neoplasms using multi-modal imaging and machine learning](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40425716/). Scientific reports, 2025. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)