Is a Wet Cat Nose Normal — Or a Cause for Concern?

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Cute little cat noses — who doesn’t love ‘em? Nothing can feel sweeter than a kitty rubbing his face against you, nose first. Like humans, some of the cats’ bodily functions may vary by individual. This is true of the feline nose. Some people think an excessively dry or wet cat nose indicates illness — but this is a myth.

You see, some cats have naturally drier noses than others, and most cats’ nose temperatures and moisture levels vary throughout the day. As a result, one of the best ways for us humans to decide whether or not to worry is to know what “state of the nose” is normal for our kitties.

Why are cats’ noses wet?

Adopting an older cat may be your purrfect fit. Photography ©1001slide | Getty Images.

What is that wet cat nose trying to tell you? Photography ©1001slide | Getty Images.

The skin around the nostril openings is called the rhinarium, and the sweat glands on the rhinarium create moisture. The interior tear duct also creates drainage that contributes to a wet nose. Humans sweat in order to regulate our body temperature and a cat can use his nose’s moisture — through evaporation — to achieve the same result.

Cats are fastidious groomers and, by licking, automatically add a layer of moisture to the nose. Saliva may dry quickly, but it is one of the reasons behind a wet cat nose.

A wet cat nose may also occur due to something else simple — the water bowl. A still bowl of clean, clear water may cause some cats difficulty in determining the depth of the liquid. While going for that drink, kitty may inadvertently dip his snout into the bowl, leaving him with a telltale wet nose.

A wet cat nose vs. a dry cat nose

A dry cat nose is just as common as a wet cat nose, and is usually no cause for alarm. If a cat spends a large chunk of time in direct sunlight, a dry nose might result. This happens to us humans while sunbathing our skin as well! A dry cat nose can also pop up if a cat spends a lot of time near a non-solar heat source like a fireplace or a heating vent.

What else could affect a wet cat nose vs. a dry cat nose?

A nose’s moisture levels are additionally affected by the level of humidity in the air. This is especially true during the winter months in many locations.

The primary reason a cat would present with an overly dry or cracked nose skin is dehydration, which is caused by decreased water intake or increased fluid loss. See your vet if you think your cat is dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration in cats include:

Sunken eyes
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Dry mouth
Depression
Elevated heart rate
Panting
Skin elasticity

When is a wet cat nose a cause for concern, and how do we treat it?

Cat expert and certified veterinary journalist, Ingrid King, says, “Even though people seem to think that a wet nose is a sign of health [and] a dry, warm nose is a sign of sickness, that’s actually not true. Cats’ body temperature is naturally higher than humans, so most of the time, a cat will feel warm to the touch.”

“A cat’s nose may go back and forth between being wet and dry several times a day, depending on the cat’s activity,” Ingrid continues.“Did your cat just eat or groom herself? Her nose will be wet. Has she been lying in the sun, or is the air in your house extremely dry? Her nose will be dry. The only way your cat’s nose will be an indicator of her health is if you notice anything abnormal, such as flaking skin, lumps and bumps, or a runny nose.”

Is it a wet nose — or a runny nose?

A runny nose, unlike a wet cat nose, can be a cause for concern and should checked out by a veterinarian to rule out illnesses like upper respiratory infections (URIs). A variety of bacterial and viral infections can cause URIs, including feline herpesvirus and feline chlamydia bacteria.

Common symptoms of URIs are:

Excessively runny nose
Sniffling and sneezing
Watery, red eyes
Bubbly, colored nasal discharge

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.

The final word on a wet cat nose

Again, a healthy cat nose usually shifts between states of moisture and dryness throughout the day. It’s important to be aware of your cat’s “normals” to be on top of any deviations — whether we’re talking a wet cat nose or anything else. A sudden change in moisture levels, with accompanying symptoms, could indicate illness, and a vet should investigate.

About the author

Angie Bailey, an award-winning writer, podcaster, and humorist, is the author of Texts from Mittens and Whiskerslist: The Kitty Classifieds. She’s written cat humor for over a decade, and lives in Minneapolis with her fiancé and two cats — Phoebe, a sassy senior and Janet, a teenage kitty with tons of tortitude.

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