Why is cats nose wet

Check to make sure the nose is not flaky, crusty, raw, swollen, or oozing. If the skin on the nose looks normal and your cat is acting like himself, then everything should be fine. Sometimes, a dry or warm nose will be seen along with other signs of illness , such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and more. Be sure to contact your vet if you notice these signs, regardless of how your cat's nose feels. Your cat's nose is considered abnormal if you notice flakiness, crusting, swelling, redness, discharge, bleeding, or abnormal growths.

Be sure to contact your veterinarian if you notice any nasal problems with your cat. There are several potential medical reasons for a cat's nose to become unhealthy.

Upper respiratory infections URIs are fairly common in cats. URIs and other respiratory problems may cause dryness and crustiness of the nose. However, it is more common to see nasal discharge, swelling, congestion, and sneezing. Respiratory conditions may also cause cats to lose their appetites and develop lethargy. There are many types of respiratory diseases that can affect cats.

Some are mild and go away on their own, but others require veterinary attention. Some respiratory illnesses are even contagious to other cats. Contact your vet if your cat is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness.

A dehydrated cat will often have a dry nose. However, dehydration is typically accompanied by other signs of illness, such as lethargy and loss of appetite. Don't assume your cat's dry nose is related to dehydration, but don't ignore it either.

If your cat has a dry nose constantly for a day or two and seems to be eating and drinking less than usual, contact your vet for advice. A number of skin conditions can affect cats' noses. Pemphigus foliaceus is a rare but serious autoimmune disease that causes crusty lesions to appear on the face and paws. Less serious skin conditions that can affect the nose include fungal or bacterial infections and allergic dermatitis.

Any abnormal appearance to your cat's nose warrants a visit to the vet. Just like people, cats can get sunburn. Many cats enjoy lounging in the sun. Prolonged sun exposure can cause sunburn, leading to redness, dryness, scabbing, or peeling of the nose.

Over time, damage from UV rays can cause pigment changes and even skin cancer. Contact your vet if you think your cat's nose has been affected by sun damage. Look under their tail. If you see what looks like grains of rice or spaghetti, you are looking at signs of parasites—some of which may be spread to you or other pets.

Your vet can give you medication to rid your cat of these unwanted guests. Most cats don't like to have their feet touched. If yours doesn't mind, look for stuck-on litter, torn claws, cuts, swellings or infections. Also, check your cat's claws regularly to see if they need to be trimmed ; untrimmed claws can inadvertently scratch you, get caught on carpet and furniture and grow into the paw.

Pet First Aid Kits on Amazon. Sign up to receive our exclusive e-book full of training techniques, problem-solving and important information about caring for your pet. If your cat likes to be brushed, finish off your exam with a nice grooming session. Brushing is good for removing loose fur, distributing oils and stimulating blood flow.

Brushing also helps prevent hairballs, which cats cough up after they've swallowed too much fur from grooming themselves or another cat in the household. Never give your cat any medication without your veterinarian's advice. Many human drugs—such as aspirin, acetaminophen Tylenol , cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, diet pills and anti-depressants—can poison cats. Even vitamins can be toxic. All owners should have at book on cat care ask your veterinarian for a recommendation that includes a section on emergency first aid.

While you should never try to be your own veterinarian, you can learn some emergency procedures that could minimize damage and keep your pet relatively comfortable on the way to the veterinarian. Now is the time to educate yourself.

Always have a basic pet first-aid kit on hand, even when you are traveling with your cat. If something goes wrong, you'll be thankful you thought ahead, and so will your cat. A variety of bacterial and viral infections can cause URIs, including feline herpesvirus and feline chlamydia bacteria. A runny nose could also signal an allergy and, with a thorough discussion of symptoms and daily surroundings with a veterinarian, could result from simple changes in food, litter or other environmental factors.

Again, a healthy cat nose usually shifts between states of moisture and dryness throughout the day. A sudden change in moisture levels, with accompanying symptoms, could indicate illness, and a vet should investigate.

Angie Bailey, an award-winning writer, podcaster, and humorist, is the author of Texts from Mittens and Whiskerslist: The Kitty Classifieds. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals. Nov 2. Nov 1. Oct Give a Gift. Close up of a pink cat nose on a brown tabby cat. Cat Health Care. A wet cat nose could signal simple changes due to grooming, drinking or environmental changes — or something more serious like feline herpesvirus. By Angie Bailey. Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter.