Why are Cats’ Noses wet? Exciting Reasons
Why are my cats’ noses wet? Is it normal? Yes, a wet nose is a normal sign of a healthy cat. However, there are to this, kindly check out below.
Those early morning cat visits wouldn’t be complete without the sensation of your cat’s wet nose against your cheek.
If you’ve ever wondered why your cat has a wet nose, here are some possible explanations.
You might be surprised to learn that many mammals, both wild and domesticated, have wet noses. So, what’s the deal with animals having moist noses, such as your cat?
To better understand why cats have wet noses, you should be familiar with animal biology.
Why do Cats Have Wet Noses
A wet nose is affected by a variety of environmental, health, and physical factors.
This means that while their nose may be dry in the morning, it may become wetter throughout the day, with some changes being more concerning than others.
When it comes to the dampness of your cat’s snout, there are several factors at work, which include:
1. Environment
The temperature and humidity surrounding your cat will have an effect on your cat’s nose.
Warmer weather usually leads to some humidity which will make their snouts wetter than usual as they’re breathing in the water particles in the air.
Cold, dry, or artificial air, on the other hand, actually ends up drawing moisture from your feline’s nose meaning that they can end up with a dry and sometimes cracked nose.
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2. Drinking
There’s no denying that cats are a little neater than their canine counterparts when it comes to eating and drinking, but sometimes they do get their noses wet in their efforts to stay hydrated.
While this type of wet nose is typically short-lived and it’ll dry out rather quickly, your cat might try to get rid of the water by licking at its snout which will keep it moist a little while longer.
3. Licking
Another reason for your cat’s wet nose could be that they’re licking it a lot.
While grooming, their noses follow the trail of their tongue, gathering the moisture which they’ve spread along their fur with their mouths.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as just licking their snout with their tongue after a yawn or a yummy meal and leaving it covered in wet saliva.
Cats don’t have the ability to sweat from anywhere but through the pads of their feet so, keeping their nose wet can actually help them keep cool in warm weather. The moisture on their snout will evaporate and with it, help cool their bodies so that they don’t get too hot!
4. Tears
The production of tears in a cat’s eyes drains any excess fluid from the eyelids and to the nose and mouth through the nasolacrimal duct.
So, if your cat is suffering from allergies or an illness you might notice that its nose is a little wetter than usual!
5. Upper Respiratory Infections
Just like humans, cats are susceptible to many types of upper respiratory infections and can develop symptoms like a runny nose and eyes when they’re not quite themselves.
This may also be accompanied by coughing and sneezing all of which can lead to a wet snout.
Do all Cats Have Wet Noses?
We’ve just discussed the possibility that your cat’s nose can change from wet to dry multiple times throughout the day, so it’s fair to say that wild cats are no different.
They may experience a wetter nose during warmer weather and a drier nose when the temperatures drop.
Having a wet nose can aid in body temperature regulation and some even hypothesize that it can enhance a cat’s ability to smell, so it would make sense that cats in the wild would take advantage of a sniffer that’s moister.
What is the Wet Substance on a Cat’s Nose?
The fluid that makes your cat’s nose wet is most commonly saliva from licking or tears that have drained from the eyes.
It can also be snot when your kitty is feeling under the weather. A cat’s nose can also be moist due to secretions from the nasal cavity.
One way that a cat’s nose helps to prevent illness and rid its body of possible allergens is by gently flushing them out of the nasal cavity before they have time to get deep inside the body.
Is a Dry Nose on a Cat Cause for Concern?
In general, a dry nose on your feline friend indicates that the weather is turning cold or that they were standing near a ceiling fan.
When a dry nose is accompanied by other troubling behavior or symptoms, such as a fever, decreased appetite, or lethargy, it is cause for concern.
You can often judge your cat’s relative body temperature by touching its nose or ears, so a dry, warm, or hot nose could indicate illness or even heat stroke.
If your cat has a dry nose or any other unusual symptoms or behaviors, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
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Cats’ noses are wet primarily as a result of fluid production from sweat glands on the nasal planum (hairless nose skin), though some moisture is also derived from the drainage of the inferior tear duct (lower tear duct), which drains normal tear fluid from the surface of the eye.
CSN Team.