WHY DOES MY CAT HAVE A DRY NOSE?

It is normal for a cat to have a dry nose and it is also normal for it to have a wet nose, just as it can be cold or hot.

It is true that, at times, we get the feeling that it is drier than usual, or when added to other symptoms it makes us suspect something is wrong.

In a hot and dry environment it is normal for the nose to be hot and dry, but it can also be a symptom of a fever as we have always been told. Of course, a hot nose does not mean a fever, but if there is a fever it is certainly hotter than normal.

To find out if they have a fever, the best thing to do is to take their temperature. If you don't dare to do this at home and suspect a fever, take them to the vet and have them do it there, bearing in mind that the normal temperature of a cat is 38-39ºC, which is a little higher than ours, and in puppies it can be as high as 39.5ºC.

Another reason why a kitty has a dry nose is dehydration, and, as with fever, it is not clear whether a cat has a dry nose and is well hydrated or not, although if it is dehydrated it is likely to have a dry nose. The best way to check hydration in dogs and cats is to make a fold with the skin on their back and check that it smoothes out quickly. If the skin does not return to its place or if it takes too long, this is a symptom of dehydration and is an emergency.

Apart from a dry nose we can spot other things in their little noses, let's see:

Noses that change colour or that develop little coloured specks, like moles, can be normal with age, especially in redheaded cats, but also a symptom of something more serious. If this symptom is associated with something more unusual, ask for a consultation at your clinic as soon as possible.

Secretions, like snot, running nose or blood, can come out of the nose of our little buddies, so if you notice this, please go to your vet as soon as possible.

Cracks, flaky or loose skin, is not common in cats, although if it happens in older dogs, if you notice something like this on your little buddy's nose, please talk to your vet.

Wounds, in kittens that interact with other cats we can observe some scratches occasionally, but sometimes they do them themselves because they feel uncomfortable, we have to pay close attention if we see a little wound in the face, what is the origin and that it doesn't get infected. If they are outdoor animals and have this type of wound, leukaemia and immunodeficiency tests should be done, because if they have had such close contact with unknown cats, the risk of contagion is high.

Of course, you know that everything that we have been told about cats' noses is not 100% true, but from it we can get some valuable information from our little furry friends.


María González Sola.
Co-founder of Refugio la vida color Frambuesa and responsible for vet consults at VeggieAnimals.