Why Are Cats Noses Wet And Cold
Cats that stay close to heaters may also have their noses warm and dry due to the effect of the direct heat.
Why are cats noses wet and cold. A cool wet nose can denote overall good health in cats but its far from conclusive. No matter the reason it is important to keep an eye on how wet your cats nose is. Drastic changes however can alert you to other symptoms and potential health issues. Cat noses can feel cold warm dry or wet.
On the other hand it is possible to have a dry nose in the winter due to the reduced moisture levels. Cats are fastidious groomers and by licking automatically add a layer of moisture to the nose. Cats can develop nosebleeds for a number of reasons including. If your cats nose happens to change temperature and your cat exhibits other signs of illness think weight loss vomiting appetite loss or increased thirst book a vet appointment.
Cats typically have cool wet noses. Saliva may dry quickly but it is one of the reasons behind a wet cat nose. Stress excess temperatures nasal irritation trauma to the nose respiratory infections. This is not backed up by fact.
Conventional wisdom says to worry if your cats nose is warm and dry instead of cold and wet. When the weather outside is warmer than that breathed out by a cat condensation will occur. When it is too hot your cat will sweat through the nose to try and dissipate excess heat. This will lead to a cold and wet nose.
A wet nose helps your cat in thermoregulation. Taking your cats temperature with a thermometer is the only real way to diagnose a fever see box below. Cats noses are wet primarily due to fluid production from sweat glands on the nasal planum hairless nose skin although some of the moisture also comes from drainage of the inferior tear duct lower tear duct which drains normal tear fluid from the surface of the eye. Having a wet nose has a couple of functions.
The moisture on a cats nose helps in trapping scent particles enabling the cat to sense smell better. Your cat needs the nose wet so he can smell better. Cats noses are wet and cold for a variety of reasons. The popular idea that a cats nose is a barometer of your furry friends feeling has been myth busted.
Some pet owners believe a warm dry nose denotes a sick cat but in actuality a cats nose temperature and moistness varies every day.