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Scabs on cats are caused by miliary dermatitis, which takes on many forms, such as feline acne, feline eczema and flea allergy dermatitis.
Melvin Pena
Melvin is a writer, editor, and artist who has published pieces of art, poetry about goats, and literary criticism. He spent over a decade in the bonkers echo-chamber of academia as a scholar and teacher of composition and literature. Now, he’s more than happy to be writing about cats and dogs, hiking and kayaking in North Carolina, going to concerts, and giving it everything he’s got on stage at karaoke.
<strong>Full Name:</strong> Melvin Peña
<strong>Location:</strong> I bounce like a ping-pong ball between Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina.
<strong>Where You Can Find Me on the Internet:</strong> <a href="http://about.me/melvinpena">http://about.me/melvinpena</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/kittenry">@kittenry</a> on Twitter.
<strong>What I Do for a Living:</strong> Writer, Editor.
<strong>What I Do for Fun:</strong> Hike, sing karaoke, and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittenry/collections/72157626855860992/">create visual art</a>.
<strong>The Furry Members of My Household Are:</strong> The dog, Idris (named jointly for actor Idris Elba and Suranne Jones's character in "Doctor Who"), the cat, Klesko (named for a former Atlanta Braves first baseman), and three feathered friends, the chickens, Bob, Betty, and Becky (named for no one in particular).
<strong>My Favorite Things to Write About Are:</strong> Eighteenth-century British literature, “Doctor Who,” music, North Carolina, and the process of making art.
<strong>My Pet Peeves Are:</strong> Commercial breaks, spotty internet connections, people who talk incessantly during concerts, and drivers who don’t use their headlights during rainstorms.
<strong>My Guilty Pleasures Are:</strong> I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. I am pleased to celebrate anything that brings me joy, whether that is season one of “The OC,” donuts filled with pudding, or yacht rock.
<strong>How I Deal with Cat/Dog Hair:</strong> While I’m very fond of them, I'm also allergic to cats, so I immediately and thoroughly wash my hands and change shirts after playing with them, and try very hard not to touch my eyes or face before doing so. I’m not allergic to dogs, so if I find hair on my clothes after taking Idris for a walk, I just wash them, which I do anyway.
<strong>What I Want to Be When I Grow Up:</strong> Happy.
How long do cats live? How long do indoor cats live? What about the life expectancy for an outdoor cat? And what factors play into how long a cat lives? Let’s talk about cat lifespan here.
Kittens are born with blue eyes, which change depending on melanin in the iris. When do kittens’ eyes change color? Let’s learn about kittens’ eyes.
Thinking, “My cat’s ears are hot — is it normal?” You’re not alone. Find out what hot cat ears mean for your feline’s health.
A cat with a swollen or bloated stomach may have ascites. What causes abdominal fluid buildup in cats? How can ascites in cats be treated?
Can you share traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods, such as corned beef and cabbage, with your cats?
What is prednisone and why would someone use prednisone for cats? And what’s the difference between prednisone and prednisolone for cats?
Litter training cats is a process — the size and location of the litter box, as well as the quality of the litter all make a difference.
Can cats taste sweet? Do cats have taste buds? What flavors and taste sensations appeal to a cat’s discerning palate? Let’s talk about how cats taste food.
Can kittens drink cow’s milk? Is lactose-free milk okay for cats? Let’s take a look at the basics of kittens and milk.
