A cat's nose can serve as an indicator of its health, but it can sometimes make us worry too much. And it is that, it does not always have the same degree of humidity. Thus, especially if it is the first time that we live with a feline, it is likely that we have the doubt of if it is normal for you to have a dry nose, or if on the contrary it is a symptom that you are sick.
I am going to clarify these doubts, so that in this way you can be calm 🙂.
Is it normal for a cat to have a dry nose?
The truth is that yes. In fact, the nose goes from being dry to wet and vice versa several times a day, either because it goes outside to lie in the sun and then enters, or because it is placed near a radiator or in a poorly ventilated room. In short, the hours can pass and our friend have a nose with a different degree of humidity depending on where he is, and we without knowing it 🙂.
When to worry?
But there is always a but), we do have to worry when there are scabs or sores, or if you have thick, yellow, green or even black mucus. In any of these cases, we must take him to the vet as it could be a symptom of a viral disease, or even a tumor in the nose.
The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you will recover. This is very important to take into account and not let more than three days pass to see if it improves, since doing so could be fatal for our friend, especially if he has other symptoms such as breathing problems, vomiting and / or diarrhea.
My cat is down and has a dry nose
Cats cannot speak, and even if they knew how to do it they would surely not tell us in words what they feel. This is because although they are predators, they can also become prey for other larger and / or stronger animals, so going unnoticed is a matter of vital importance.
Of course, when they live inside a house they don't have to worry about that, but against their instincts we can't do anything. So if we want to know if they are sick, it will be useful to observe and touch them: if they are down and have a dry nose, we should worry.
The fact that their nose is dry may be due to dehydration, but also if there is thick and / or bubbly discharge, and / or it is yellow, green or black in color, they should be taken to the vet to be examined, and more if they are down.
My cat has a scab or wound on his nose
Scabs or wounds can be caused by fighting between cats or other animals, or by illness. How to differentiate them? Well, when it is due to fights, these wounds usually heal in a period of time that can be more or less long depending on their severity; but if it is due to illness, such as cancer, those wounds do not heal, and they can even get bigger.
So, to prevent the situation from getting worse, it is best to go to the vet, especially if we see that no matter how much we cure the wound with cotton and serum for 2-3 days (be careful: if the wound is deep and / or it really wrong, you have to consult a professional urgently. The lives of these cats could be in danger).
My cat has a swollen nose
Have you found your cat with a swollen nose? Have it like this It can be due to an abscess, or even the presence of an organism. Although this last reason is very rare, it could happen. In fact, in the United States some veterinarians got a worm out of a kitten. This is the video (it can hurt sensibilities):
Fortunately, the animal managed to recover without major problem:
Image - NEHumaneSociety
My cat drips water from his nose
The fact that a cat's nose is dripping should make us suspect that there is something wrong with its body. But the causes are various:
- Allergy: the secretions will be liquid and transparent. The animal could show other symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes and nose.
- Cold: If it is a simple cold, the secretions may be mistaken for allergy, or be a little thicker. In addition, there will be a cough and general malaise.
- Flu or other more serious illness- The secretions will be thicker, green, yellowish or black. Other possible symptoms are: cough, vomiting, diarrhea.
To clear up doubts, you should consult with the specialist. But from the outset you have to know if it is an allergy, you will be given antihistamines; and if it is another disease antibiotics.
The allergy is not serious. With good treatment and avoiding exposing the cat to what causes its symptoms, it can lead a completely normal life. On the other hand, if what happens that he is sick will require special care, such as keeping him protected from the cold, or even a change of diet until he recovers.
The cat's nose can sometimes serve as an indicator of its health, and it must be observed from time to time to detect problems as soon as possible.