A few years ago, my cat’s chin looked swollen and red beneath her gray fur. Her vet said she had cat acne. This surprising diagnosis definitely reminded me of being a teenager, but I was in no way prepared to treat cat acne. Zit cream? Salicylic acid cleanser? Nah. Turns out, if your cat has acne, you need to first try replacing any plastic food bowls with stainless steel. If that doesn’t work, you’ll probably need a prescription antibiotic from your vet. Who knew? 

Meet the Expert 

• Preston Turano, DVM, is a licensed veterinarian and an advisor at Felix Cat Insurance. He has owned his own vet practice, been a veterinary medical director and worked with dogs and cats since 2002.