Why Do Cats Have Wet Noses?
Who doesn’t love those adorable, little cat noses? They’re just so cute. They’re even cuter when your feline friend cuddles up and rubs your cheek with its nose.
Yet, have you ever noticed that your cat sometimes has a wet nose? Have you ever been worried that it could be a sign of some type of health issue?
In this article, we’ll answer the question on many cat owners’ minds: why do cats have wet noses? We’ll also tell you when your cat’s wet nose is normal and when it should be cause for concern.
Read on for more.
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Why Do Cats Have Wet Noses?
This is one of the main concerns of many cat parents, especially new ones. Yet, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
Your cat’s nose can go from completely dry to wet, and vice versa, several times throughout the day. Keep reading for some possible reasons behind your feline friend’s wet nose.
Drinking
It could simply be your cat has just had a drink from its water bowl. Most cats find it difficult to determine the depth of the water in their bowl. As a result, they tend to dip their noses too much into the water bowl, getting their noses wet in the process.
Grooming
Cats are always grooming themselves. This constant licking of their faces could be one of the reasons there’s a layer of moisture on their noses.
Keeping their noses moist also helps cool them off when the weather is hot.
Sweat Glands
One of the most important reasons why your cat has a moist nose is because of the presence of sweat glands. The nose area, known as nasal planum, is one of the few areas on a cat’s body where there’s no hair. This makes it an ideal place for sweat glands.
Cats don’t sweat from their whole bodies as we do. Rather, they sweat through the sweat glands found on their noses and paws.
This process has a major role in regulating body temperature. When the moisture on their noses evaporates, their body cools down.
Tear Ducts
Another reason why your cat’s nose may be wet is due to drainage of the lower tear duct. Located in the corner of your cat’s eye, it helps drain tear fluid from the surface of the eyes onto your kitty’s nose.
Wet Noses: When Should I Be Concerned?
As we mentioned earlier, it’s normal if your cat’s nose goes from wet to dry at various times of the day. It’s a healthy and normal process of their day-to-day life.
Yet, many cat owners, especially first-timers, worry about their kitty’s well-being. You’ve probably wondered about the reason for your cat’s wet nose. You may have even brought it up with other cat parents or your vets.
So, when does a wet nose become a concern? If your cat’s nose is either wet or dry for the major portion of the day, keep an eye on other strange behaviors or symptoms.
If you sense something isn’t right with your kitty, this is when you should seek medical advice.
Upper Respiratory Infections
One symptom of upper respiratory infections (URIs) is having a wet nose all the time. If your cat is having difficulty breathing, it may be suffering from a nasal discharge or a runny nose. Both these symptoms will cause your cat’s nose to become excessively wet for a major portion of the day.
URIs are caused by viral and bacterial infections, such as feline herpesvirus or feline chlamydia bacteria.
Other URI symptoms are:
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Red, watery eyes
- Coughing
Allergies
A runny nose can also be caused by allergies. A simple test can determine the cause of your kitty’s allergic reaction.
Some allergy triggers could be a new type of food you’ve recently started giving your cat. The litter box could also be the culprit. You should also consider various neighboring environmental factors that could be causing the allergies.
Scratches
Scratches and scrapes on the nose can be a result of a recent accident. They can cause your cat’s nose to become wet.
Also, altercations with other animals can lead to scratches on the nose.
Growths
Growths within the nasal cavity can be difficult to detect. Yet, they can be one of the causes behind your cat’s wet nose.
It’s worth mentioning that most growths are benign. Still, early detection is key. If it’s not cancer, it may need to be removed to reduce discomfort.
On the other hand, if it is cancer, your kitty has a much better chance of fighting it if it’s caught early on.
Dry Noses
Now that we’ve talked about all the causes for your cat’s wet nose, let’s discuss dry noses. Here are a few reasons why your cat may have a dry nose.
Dehydration
Whether or not your cat has a dry nose can be caused by a decreased water intake. If your cat isn’t drinking enough water, it can result in a highly dry or even cracked nose.
Some other symptoms of dehydration include:
- Sunken eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Panting
- Elevated heart rate
- Lethargy
Lack of Proper Air Circulation
One of the main reasons why your cat’s nose may be dry depends on the level of humidity in the air. If your kitty’s been in a room that’s not getting enough airflow, its nose will be dry.
Also, if the air in the room where your cat spends most of its time is dry and cold, it’ll cause its nose to dry up.
Laying in the Sun
If your cat happens to spend a large part of the day in direct sunlight, this can cause their noses to dry up. It’s the same thing that happens to us when we spend too much time in the sun, as well.
Other heat sources, like heating vents or fireplaces, can also dry up your kitty’s nose.
Characteristic Trait
Some cat species have a habit of almost always having dry noses. This may make it harder to diagnose.
Ask your vet about whether your cat is one of these species that’s known for having this trait.
Fun Cat Nose Facts
Use these fun facts to impress all your cat-loving friends.
Scent Receptors
Cats are known for their fine-tuned sense of smell. They have nearly 200 million scent receptors! That’s even more than some dogs!
They use their sense of smell to stimulate their appetite, track their prey, and determine what’s safe to eat.
Individual Prints
Cats have individual nose prints that are specific to each cat. Just like our fingerprints, no two nose prints are alike.
Scent Direction
When cats breathe, air goes in through the front, round nostrils. Then, it comes out through their noses or their mouths. The way the air flows in and out helps them determine where the scent is coming from.
Nose Licking
Cats lick their noses to boost their sense of smell. When their noses are moist, it’s easier for scent particles to cling on. This heightens their ability to latch on to smells even more.
Another reason why cats lick their noses is to reset their sense of smell. It acts as a cleaning ritual, which eliminates trapped scent particles and makes way for new ones.
Blushing Noses
There are multiple tiny blood vessels in your cat’s nose. These expand or shrink according to its emotional state. You may have noticed its nose becoming more vibrant in color when your cat’s feeling excited. This is similar to how our cheeks become red when we blush.
Final Thoughts
The next time your kitty comes in for a nose kiss, you don’t have to wonder “Why do cats have wet noses?” You now know everything there is to know about cats and their noses.
Get to know your cat’s normal, everyday behavior. It’s the best way you can determine when your cat is healthy, and when it’s time to head to the vet.